Garage lifts

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Jeff and Pamela

We're very interested in getting a lift also. What kind of prep work do you have to do to the garage slab to install one of these? Do you need footings for the posts or drill for hold down bolts?

Thanks

Jeff and Pamela

No real prep work. Mine is not bolted down. With the locking mechanism it has, I feel perfectly safe. Plus, if it's nice outside, I can just roll it out and work on the car in the sun.

Installation was not difficult with the exception on the weight. The runways are several hundred pounds apiece. Either have several big strong friends help with those or use the frontend loader on a tractor, like I did. I also made the mistake of thinking I had to piece it together in place. That wasn't necessary as it's easy to roll by one person when it's on it's casters.

[Exigent]

Here's one for just over $2000.

AmericanProducts 4 Post Lifts Model SS8000

Anyone know about this company or if it's the same manufacturer as some others?

[ryoung99]

I cannot tell you who made my lift, but it a 110 and I bought it as a car show for $1500 (show special).

Somewhere at my house I have the catalog the place was out of SoCal.

Had to use the tractor to put it together, we did not bolt it down and roll it all over the shop for different purposes. We even used it as a cherry picker to move an engine once.

Well worth the investment.

Typically my Exige is up top and the wifes S2000 down below. She likes it that way.

[Valenz]

Originally Posted by Valenz

Has anyone had any experience with American Automotive Lifts?

I can answer my own question at this point, but I thought I'd share my experience. I ordered a four post lift yesterday morning from the above named company. After 24 hrs I noticed that my order had not yet been processed and so I decided to cancel the original order and order an equivalent item from a vendor who advertises on this forum, Greg Smith Equipment. My order with GSE was processed immediately and the shipment is already scheduled to arrive early next week. A day to install the lift and I'll be ready to start taking my new Elise apart. Maybe I need a second Elise now to keep my driving cravings satisfied while I satisfy my scientific and mechanical curiosities. I was thinking about a previously owned CO Elise.

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by Valenz

I can answer my own question at this point, but I thought I'd share my experience. I ordered a four post lift yesterday morning from the above named company. After 24 hrs I noticed that my order had not yet been processed and so I decided to cancel the original order and order an equivalent item from a vendor who advertises on this forum, Greg Smith Equipment. My order with GSE was processed immediately and the shipment is already scheduled to arrive early next week. A day to install the lift and I'll be ready to start taking my new Elise apart. Maybe I need a second Elise now to keep my driving cravings satisfied while I satisfy my scientific and mechanical curiosities. I was thinking about a previously owned CO Elise.

Congratulations. I actually went to Greg Smith's headquarters/showroom in Indianapolis and checked stuff out before I bought. They were extremely helpful. I'd recommend them to anybody. They sell both Direct Lift, and the more expensive Bend-Pak lifts.

[TiGumz]

Originally Posted by Exigent

They want like $4600.
That's a bit more than I want to spend....

We should start a thread about lifts with prices so that we know the real going rate for these things. I'm sure there are some differences in quality, but it seems these lifts range from $1600 - over $5000. That's a pretty big spread.

I have two of the Revolution lifts, no problems so far. I got mine a couple of years ago and the price seems to have gone up I know the ones I got cost more because they were the large size lifts, I didn't want to park underneath a lift and not have access to the rear doors of (sedans) without hitting the posts...
I paid 600 for install/per lift, money well spent.

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by TiGumz

I know the ones I got cost more because they were the large size lifts, I didn't want to park underneath a lift and not have access to the rear doors of (sedans) without hitting the posts...
I paid 600 for install/per lift, money well spent.

I'd also prefer a taller version. I've measured everything in my garage and can easily raise the Exige up to a very high level without it getting too close to the ceiling. I'd like to be able to climb out of my daily driver and stand up (I'm 6'1") without worrying about smacking my head. Also, both of the other cars have tailgates that lift up hatch-style. I'd want enough clearance to open the hatches while parked underneath the lift.

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by TiGumz

I paid 600 for install/per lift, money well spent.

Did they arrange the install or did you have to find someone on your own?

[TiGumz]

Originally Posted by Exigent

Did they arrange the install or did you have to find someone on your own?

They drop shipped those heavy suckers to the local (commercial) dealer who delivered and arranged install. I believe the commercial products are sold under the Rotary brand.

[jeffgrice]

Hi Randy,

Before I added on to my garage, I had a 4 post with my cobra and vette and 8.5 foot ceailing. It was VERY close. With the cobra and elise no problem.

However my garage before the expansion was deep and the lift did not interfer with door tracks.

There is an expansion kit for door tracks that will run in within inches of the ceiling. this also requires the kit to mount the garage opener on one side or another. most garage door installers can do.

For reference I bought my lift locally but it was a gemini

jeff

[Canuck Guy]

something like this lift would be kinda funky. like having your own Batcave.

PhantomPark Parking Under The Garage - Video

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by jeffgrice

Hi Randy,

Before I added on to my garage, I had a 4 post with my cobra and vette and 8.5 foot ceailing. It was VERY close. With the cobra and elise no problem.

However my garage before the expansion was deep and the lift did not interfer with door tracks.

There is an expansion kit for door tracks that will run in within inches of the ceiling. this also requires the kit to mount the garage opener on one side or another. most garage door installers can do.

For reference I bought my lift locally but it was a gemini

jeff

I just got quotes to have my door tracks raised and a jackshaft operator installed.

The tracks raised, the new opener (Liftmaster 3800 with two remotes and an outside keypad), and moving my current opener over to the third bay is all going to be ~$650-700.

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by Canuck Guy

something like this lift would be kinda funky. like having your own Batcave.

Neat if you have no other alternative. But it doesn't work if you want to work on your car or keep anything in your garage that's over 18" tall...

[JLSELISE]

Hey Randy
Didn't spot your thread earlier, but FYI here's a link to a NobleForums thread about "fitting" my Noble on my lift that really wasn't designed for it
A (very) tight fit! - Noble Rossion Forums

[Randy Chase]

Love the color of your Noble Joel. Your looks about as wide as mine.

[Valenz]

Originally Posted by Valenz

Has anyone had any experience with American Automotive Lifts?

Originally Posted by Valenz

I can answer my own question at this point, but I thought I'd share my experience. I ordered a four post lift yesterday morning from the above named company. After 24 hrs I noticed that my order had not yet been processed and so I decided to cancel the original order and order an equivalent item from a vendor who advertises on this forum, Greg Smith Equipment. My order with GSE was processed immediately ....

Originally Posted by Exigent

Here's one for just over $2000.

AmericanProducts 4 Post Lifts Model SS8000

Anyone know about this company or if it's the same manufacturer as some others?

Sure enough just a few days after I ordered the DirectLift from Greg Smith Equipment it arrived and I was able to install it over the weekend. The transaction with Greg Smith Equipment was smooth, and response and delivery were very fast. The installation of the lift is not a one man job and that's indicated in the instructions along with caution on the GSE website about the delivery weight and conformation of the package. However, I like challenges, and with some delicate tractor work to assist with lifting and positioning some of the heavier bits (which includes most of the lift parts), I was able to assemble the lift in the last bay of my 3-car garage (9'9" ceiling).

The assembly was smooth and without problems (except for the weight of the components), but honestly I wouldn't want to do that again by myself. I am very pleased with the lift and it functions very well for both storage and service.

The original order that I placed and subsequently canceled with American Automotive Equipment has come back to haunt me and it is here that I'd like to sound a cautionary note. Although the original order was canceled about 24 hrs after it was placed (for which I have a confirmation from AAE), AAE still posted a charge against my credit card. When I canceled the order with AAE its status was listed as received but not processed. When I called AAE to receive a credit post I was told that they could not find the order or my customer name and that I should call back and speak to their accounting office. Subsequent calls to their accounting office only yielded an answering machine and no callbacks. The charge has been disputed with the card issuer and given all the transaction receipts (with date and time stamps) that I have the charge should not ultimately be a problem, but it is a minor headache. So caveat emptor.

[Jeff and Pamela]

Our Directlift was deliveed yesterday

Jeff and Pamela

[SAHD]

I wonder if anyone has the Danmar lift, from Costco, for $1,700 inc tax and delivery?

Costco - Dannmar 4-Post Portable Parking & Storage Lift Starting at $1699.99

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by SAHD

I wonder if anyone has the Danmar lift, from Costco, for $1,700 inc tax and delivery?

Costco - Dannmar 4-Post Portable Parking & Storage Lift Starting at $1699.99

It looks identical to my DirectLift 4-post lift in every detail that I can make out in those photos. Seems like a good deal to me.

[Valenz]

Originally Posted by SAHD

I wonder if anyone has the Danmar lift, from Costco, for $1,700 inc tax and delivery?

Costco - Dannmar 4-Post Portable Parking & Storage Lift Starting at $1699.99

They are similar but not identical.

The Dannmar product has a lifting capacity of 7000 lbs compared to 8000 lbs for the DirectLift. The column height on the DirectLift is 95.75 in. compared to 82 on the Dannmar lift. The hydraulic mechanism is somewhat different on the Dannmar (possibly hydrylically driven in both the up and down directions - not possible to tell from the on-line drawings). The runway length on Dannmar is 160.6 vs 165.5 on the DirectLift. Basically the Dannmar product is a little smaller and lighter. There is a D-7X version that is physically a bit larger than the D-7 + $200) but with the same lifting capacity.