Hi guys.

My wife and I are building a new house and I need some recommendations on a floor lift (if that's what I need). I don't know anything about them so that's why I'm asking. My garage will be a 3 car attached and the third stall will have a separate door. We don't want to make the house a 4 car garage so I'm thinking about doing a lift instead. My goal is to lift my camaro up in the air so I can buy and work on another car (future plans). It would be nice to have lift to work on cars but it's not necessary.

1.) What do I need to ask the builder to do? high lift garage door? how high? what's the minimum ceiling height? recommended ceiling height? Should I have an outlet placed nearby? Is 220V necessary?

2.) Is there a difference between a lift and something to store a car above another car?

3.) concrete depth? or anything special with the concrete?

4.) what type of lift would I need? do you have any manufacturer that you recommend?

Anything that I missed?

Thanks ahead of time. Jim

Camaro,

Check this web site... http://www.directlift.com/. They may have the recomendations for construction. I just did a Google search for car lift and this was the second site.

Jim yes you will need a 220 outlet for a lift,,i recommend the twin post lift with the cables running over the top so theres nothing on the floor in the way when working on a car,,i would have too measure but most of the tops of all my lifts are about 14 foot high,,and of roof highet is a problem consider a four post drive on lift there nice if you add the underside jacks,,i got all my lifts for about 1900 bucks each,,4 inch floor is enough too mount a lift,,but if i was building new i would add a lil wire and rebar in the area where i was going too place my lift,,just becarefull when buying your lift ,,i got one thats gimmppy,,i like the rotory lifts large capacties 9000 lbs and you can get service for it,There easy too install yourself all you will need is a hammer drill and some 7/8's redhead's and a few basic hand tools,,the template for the mounting studs come with the lift ,,i installed all of mine myself in just a few hours each,,Frank

There are advantages to both 2 post and 4 post lifts. I like the 4 post as I can just drive up and lift, no setting the arms. I also believe they're a bit more stable. They can use a standard 4" concrete floor; the 2 post lifts all ask for a 6" minimum floor thickness.

As far as height I'd consider 11' the minimum to get pretty much full use out of the lift, with 12' plus much better.

Jody

I like the 4 post lift for home use. 2 post or 4 post have there individual purposes, but for the home mechanic/hobbyist teh 4 post is the best option IMO. If you do go 4 post, get the sliding jacks. I second the opinion on Rotary lifts. Not much more expensive that the cheaper lifts and you can get them serviced or repaired when that time comes. Most all dealerships you Rotary for this reason.

Jay

Rotary 10,000 lbs, i have 7 of them at my shop no problems what so ever they cost me $3,400 each installed

I have been working with car lifts everday for the last 21 years and have used all kinds. As the others have said Rotory without a doubt makes the best and SAFEST lifts you can buy. For what you want it for I would think you would want a drive on 4 post but the 2 post would be the best for working on the car.