4-post lifts?

RJW

RJW

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2005
1,631
108
63
SE Michigan
palmbeachgmc.com
Our new home for our GMC is still under construction but it is all framed and we a roof. We are still waiting on siding and trim. I will still have
a lot to do in its interior before I can park the coach inside. Hopefully I will be done before summer.

Sometime this spring, I hope to be buy a lift to store our towed (1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible) when not in use. Also to be used for
maintenance of our cars.

Sadly there will be no room for a lift for "the Motorhome".

There seems to be dozens of companies selling lifts. I am wondering if anyone here has had experience with 4-post lifts and could make
recommendations.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
 
Richard:

There are the Chinese lifts, and the made in USA lifts.

I looked at both, and went with the Chinese for the storage lift (the deciding factor being delivered price, since at the time, all the Chinese lifts were the same (or about the same).

When I do it again, I will go with a two post, clear floor lift.

They are about the same money, and sooner or later you’re going to want to get under the vehicle.

Four posts are great for storage and an occasional oil change. Two post are much better if your roll the tool box over.

My .02

Dolph

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Sullybilt Bags, Manny Transmission

“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"

>
> Our new home for our GMC is still under construction but it is all framed and we a roof. We are still waiting on siding and trim. I will still have
> a lot to do in its interior before I can park the coach inside. Hopefully I will be done before summer.
>
> Sometime this spring, I hope to be buy a lift to store our towed (1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible) when not in use. Also to be used for
> maintenance of our cars.
>
> Sadly there will be no room for a lift for "the Motorhome".
>
> There seems to be dozens of companies selling lifts. I am wondering if anyone here has had experience with 4-post lifts and could make
> recommendations.
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Richard,

I do not have any personal experience with a 4-post lift, but I have a 2-post in my that I used to use to stack the stored cars. I can relate a lot
of things that may be of value to you. I can lift one end of the coach with what I have. I can't lift it too far because the roof gets in the way.

See you next Saturday?

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I have a 7000 lb four post lift.
Brand name is Danmar.
I'm scared of 2 post lifts unless they have a bigger foot print than usual plus being bolted down to a very thick concrete base.
 
Richard: Like Matt, I also do not have any experience with 4-posts lifts but have a 2-post (BendPak).

Get one that is ALI certified. There is a lift dealer in Pontiac called ARESCO where you should be able to look at them in person, I believe they
sell BendPak, Dannmar, and other brands.
--
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
 
A GMC, fully loaded, often exceeds 12,000 pounds. BendPak used to make a
dandy 20,000 pound drive on lift. My transmission guy has two of them, one
inside the shop, and one outside under a metal shelter. He uses them daily,
and spends a great deal of time under them. My advice is, don't go cheap
here. Your life may depend upon your decision.
Jim Hupy

On Sat, Feb 9, 2019, 9:07 AM David H. Jarvis via Gmclist <

> I have a 7000 lb four post lift.
> Brand name is Danmar.
> I'm scared of 2 post lifts unless they have a bigger foot print than usual
> plus being bolted down to a very thick concrete base.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Our new home for our GMC is still under construction but it is all framed
and we a roof. We are still waiting on siding and trim. I will still have
a lot to do in its interior before I can park the coach inside. Hopefully I
will be done before summer.

Sometime this spring, I hope to be buy a lift to store our towed (1978
Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible) when not in use. Also to be used for
maintenance of our cars.

Sadly there will be no room for a lift for "the Motorhome".

There seems to be dozens of companies selling lifts. I am wondering if
anyone here has had experience with 4-post lifts and could make
recommendations.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi
stuff, Manny Tranny etc.

********************************
 
Richard,
Contact Jeff Sirum at Alex Sirum GMC and ask him about his two post unit.
If properly anchored in a 6"concrete it should be ok.
We have an elaborate 4 post 18,000 with Rear and front alignment pad and
two rolling hydraulic lifts.
I like the two post as it has more clearance.
Recommend weighing advantages.

On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 10:41 AM Fred Hudspeth via Gmclist <

> Richard,
>
> I have a four post US-made lift that is the same as the current
> Backyardbuddy 7000# lift (also US-made/Warren, OH))
> https://www.backyardbuddy.com/
> 'Installed it in 2000. 'Use it for my car "fleet". The-then manufacturer,
> Autolifters/Wichita, KS lost in the completion with Backyardbuddy in 2005.
> 'Parts still readily available. 'Did not buy one to accommodate the GMCMh
> as
> it would have required 1 1/2 bay's width in my garage. 'Have a 14' high
> ceiling in the GMCMh portion of my garage. Regardless of the lift you buy
> for home use, I strongly recommend frequent inspection for worn parts. I
> have replaced one pulley for a worn journal bearing and a seal in the slave
> cylinder. I bought, and recommend, the 220VAC motor option.
>
> Fred
>
>
> Fred Hudspeth
> 1978 Royale (TZE 368V101335) - Tyler, TX
> 1982 Airstream Excella (motorhome) - Cooper Landing, Alaska
>
>
>
>
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sat, 09 Feb 2019 04:09:14 -0700
> From: RJW
> To: gmclist
> Subject: [GMCnet] 4-post lifts?
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Our new home for our GMC is still under construction but it is all framed
> and we a roof. We are still waiting on siding and trim. I will still have
> a lot to do in its interior before I can park the coach inside. Hopefully
> I
> will be done before summer.
>
> Sometime this spring, I hope to be buy a lift to store our towed (1978
> Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible) when not in use. Also to be used for
> maintenance of our cars.
>
> Sadly there will be no room for a lift for "the Motorhome".
>
> There seems to be dozens of companies selling lifts. I am wondering if
> anyone here has had experience with 4-post lifts and could make
> recommendations.
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator,
> Lenzi
> stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
>
>
>
> ********************************
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I have 3 Bend-Pak 4 post lifts in operation right now. A 7K and a 9K inside the garage, the 9K is freestanding and could even have had a wheel kit to
move it around when unloaded. Didn't get that option. Got a 12K outside to lift the GMC and almost every other vehicle in the current fleet. 1 ramp is
adjustable on all of them but the freestanding 9K needs to have it bolted in place. Right side ramps are free to move on the other 2 lifts. Take the
rolling/sliding jacks out and anything goes up in the air, from motorcycles to motorhomes, boat trailers and garden tractors. All are frequent guests.
Very fast oil changes, easier to check steering and suspension components, and a substantial work table for tools and parts when you are under the
vehicle. Also a very sturdy workbench if you don't have a vehicle on it.
Had only 2 post lifts at work...to me, there are 2 advantages to those lifts: 1) The wheels are free when the vehicle goes up; much better for brake
jobs and most suspension work. 2) The lift arms can be raised higher than the runways for more headroom if the lift is empty, and there are 2 less
posts in the way of whatever. The major disadvantage to those lifts for me was the height limitation of the overhead crossing/connection, the
inability to fully open the door when the vehicle's position was right for the lift points, and the necessity of building towers on the lift arms (to
lift the feet up to the frame) to raise almost all pickup trucks and vans for a simple oil change.
--
Terry Kelpien

ASE Master Technician

73 Glacier 260

Smithfield, Va.
 
Thanks to all for the great responses to my inquiry on lifts for my new GMC garage!

As much as I would love to have a lift for the GMC, there isn't enough ceiling height for it to make sense. Maximum height in the garage is close to
13 feet.

My goal for the car lift is for parking the towed up off the floor with room for my tractor and other stuff underneath. I also want to be able to
move the lift around my new shop if necessary. Also, I can't start drilling holes in the floor since I have radiant heat tubing in the 5" slab.

I am afraid of 2 post lifts for long term storage of the beetle. Plus I think they need to be bolted to the floor and as I said, I can't start
drilling holes in the floor because of the radiant tubing.

I didn't know about the ARESCO in Pontiac and will plan on visiting them.

I will be at the luncheon next Saturday as long as the weather is reasonable.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
 
Freestanding, and a caster kit works to raise the posts off the floor with the lift all the way down so you can move it around as necessary. Not sure
if other MFRs offer any freestanding lifts, all others I have seen in shops were bolted to the floor. My 7 & 12K lifts are bolted down, and the pads
on the posts are much smaller than the freestanding 9K. Pretty sure all of the inexpensive "parking lifts" will have to be bolted to the floor because
the structural integrity and thickness of materials I have seen does not compare to the Bend-Pak.
--
Terry Kelpien

ASE Master Technician

73 Glacier 260

Smithfield, Va.
 
My 7000X came with the wheels for moving it.
Also came with plastic drip trays and a movable steel gizmo for using bottle jacks in different situations.
When I have a car up on it, I always set the unit on the safety blocks and take the strain off the cables.
Best tool I ever bought.
 
Could not make this URL work.

Mac in OKC

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Billy Massey via Gmclist
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 13:30
To: gmclist
Cc: Billy Massey
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 4-post lifts?

Richard, you need to talk to Blaine Merrell.

https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmcmhphotos.com%2Fphotos%2Fblaine-merrell-27s-work-rally%2Fp36481-work-&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ccf81c2a87aca4648ff9208d68f8e429c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636854238490222675&sdata=pptYigLj1LZqnOHWJ4LlH7ta3ICqCdB8pLtoFYIk3mU%3D&reserved=0
rally-blaine-merrell-27s.html

bdub

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist On Behalf Of RJW
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 4-post lifts?

As much as I would love to have a lift for the GMC, there isn't enough
ceiling height for it to make sense. Maximum height in the garage is close
to
13 feet.

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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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> Richard, you need to talk to Blaine Merrell.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/blaine-merrell-27s-work-rally/p36481-work-
> rally-blaine-merrell-27s.html
>
> bdub

No need for me to talk to him now since I've talked to him in the past about his place. I've been there the past 3 years for Eastern States work
rallies. As you know, its a terrific facility! The only thing Blaine's garage (hanger) and my garage have in common is that they are both radiant
heated and offer inside parking for GMCs. His facility is to die for!

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
 
Mac, it works.. but you have to copy n paste it all. Two lines.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
At the garage I worked at in the 90's, I preferred to work on a 4-post
alignment lift as it proved the most versatile. It had what they called
'trolley jacks', that rolled along the rails and had
pneumatic/hydraulic, lockable scissor jacks to lift the vehicle up like
a 2-post would for wheel removal. It was the best of both worlds.

I always felt safest under that lift, as it had mechanical locks on all
4 corners, and having the rails as tool shelves made my day much better.

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of
David H. Jarvis via Gmclist
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 12:49 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: David H. Jarvis
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 4-post lifts?

My 7000X came with the wheels for moving it.
Also came with plastic drip trays and a movable steel gizmo for using
bottle jacks in different situations.
When I have a car up on it, I always set the unit on the safety blocks
and take the strain off the cables.
Best tool I ever bought.
 
G'day,

I bought a Bendpak HD-14T Lift & RJ-9 Rolling Jack here in Sydney. The ramps are just long enough and just wide enough for The Blue Streak.
--
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
 
Colour me jealous :)

In all honesty that's the first 'accessory' I thought of after the very
recent purchase of my gutted '74 Eleganza.

That'd be the one I'd buy too. It looks like you made a great investment.

First though (after the swamp of the backyard (where the girl is parked)
firms up later in the year) I will be checking the components of the
coach to make sure there's a reasonable chance of a successful restoration.

Stu

I wasn’t going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind.

> G'day,
>
> I bought a Bendpak HD-14T Lift & RJ-9 Rolling Jack here in Sydney. The ramps are just long enough and just wide enough for The Blue Streak.
>
 
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GMCMI Fall 2026 Rally

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