BEST CAR LIFT FOR HOME GARAGE
If you want to start working on cars at home, you’ll want to invest in a car lift, but which is best? Let’s compare the difference between scissor vs 2-post vs 4-post lifts.
SCISSOR LIFT
First, let's start with a scissor lift which gets its name from how it works. A scissor lift will come equipped with two main platforms. Attached to the bottom of each platform are supports that extend very much like a pair of scissors via one or more hydraulic cylinders. As the scissors lift the platforms there’s also a safety mechanism allowing the lift to travel upward, but not down until unlocked.
BENEFITS +
The benefit of a Scissor lift is space. The scissor lift fits under a vehicle without protruding on the sides, front, or back of your car. You can also drive over scissor lifts, so they can stay in the center of your garage parking spot.
Scissor lifts are ideal for low garage ceilings and don’t require mounting into concrete like 2 or 4-post lifts. They are compact, with options under $2500 and might just be the best residential garage car lifts.
DOWNSIDE -
The downside of a scissor lift is most of the center portions under your car will be inaccessible or difficult to reach as the scissor lift system might be in the way. This means you probably won’t be dropping a transmission with a scissor lift.
SCISSOR LIFT OPTIONS UNDER $2500
Dannmar 6000 lb. Capacity Low Rise Lift DLR 6 - $2398
Dannmar is a company that was purchased by BendPak and BendPak still sells lifts with the Dannmar name.
When collapsed the Dannmar DLR 6 sits 4 inches tall.
Its max weight capacity is 6000 lbs.
The lifting height is 26 inches and can extend to a maximum height of 29 inches with 3-inch optional blocks.
It runs off of 110v power.
It takes a total of 45 seconds to lift a car to the maximum height.
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Next up is the Titan SL-6600.
Titan Lifts PREMIER Series - Mid-Rise Scissor Lift - $2499
Titan Lifts operates out of our home state of Indiana and has been around since 2008. They also have quite a few different lift options. The nice thing about the Titan SL-6600 Scissor lift is that it has adjustable screw-style height adapters and rubber-coated lifting arms.
The fully lowered height of the SL-6600 is 5.8 inches compared to the Dannmar DLR6 4-inch lowered height.
Its max lifting capacity is 6600 lbs which is 600 more than the Dannmar DLR 6.
Its max height is 51 inches. 22 inches more than the Dannmar DLR 6.
The Titan SL-6600 runs off of 120v.
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BONUS
QuickJack also makes something similar to a scissor lift. The QuickJack 3500SLX, 5000TL, or 7000TL operate via two portable pads that each have a hydraulic cylinder that connects to one hydraulic pump. The downside is the pads have to be manually positioned beneath the car's jack points every time you want to use the QuickJack and the max height will be much lower than a full scissor, 2-post, or 4-post lift.
TWO POST LIFT
Next, we have a two-post lift. It gets its name from the two main posts located on either side of the car. These posts have lower adjustable arms that extend and lift the vehicle simultaneously.
Inside the columns are chain-drive cylinders that assist in lifting your car along with a cable system that helps keep each post lift in sync and also provides additional safety. A locking mechanism can usually be found on each post that allows the car to raise, but now lower until the safety latch is released.
BENEFITS +
The 2-post lift will keep the entire lower portion of your car free of obstructions. This will allow full access to your transmission, drivetrain, and other parts that won’t be accessible with a scissor lift.
DOWNSIDE -
You need to make sure you have a solid and thick concrete base to mount both of the two posts to. If you have a garage that has 2 inches of concrete, you’re going to need to upgrade your concrete pad.
It’s important to pay attention to your car's balance. For example, lowering the engine or the rear suspension can create balancing issues. The last thing you want is your car tipping over. Make sure to position the car properly and use additional jack stands under the hoist for safety.
The last downside is space. Certain 2-post jacks will not fit in lower ceiling garages, so make sure you measure and check the height requirements.
TWO POST LIFT OPTIONS UNDER $4000
Titan Lifts HD2P-9000AF - Floorplate - Symmetric - 9,000 lb. Capacity HD2P-9000AF - $2899
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The Titan Lifts HD2P can lift a max weight of 9000 lbs.
It requires 220v power.
It also requires a minimum thickness of 4 inches and 3,000 PSI concrete flooring strength.
Its overall height of the lift is 112 inches or just over 9 feet tall.
The maximum pad lifting height is 72-3/4'' inches giving you plenty of room to work under your car once lifted.
The lift time only takes a total of 45 seconds too.
The Titan Lifts also has a slightly lower cost HD2P-9000AC which braces the two posts at the top providing a clear floor between the two posts.
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If you need more ceiling clearance, check out the MaxJax MK6:
MaxJax 6000 Lb. M6K Portable Two-Post Garage Lift Deluxe Package - $3809
The MaxJax M6K is a pretty unique 2-post car lift because it has the benefit of keeping the center clear beneath the car without the disadvantage of requiring tons of height. The two posts use Low-pressure HVLP Direct-Drive cylinders which remove the need for cables and lifting chains.
Total lifting capacity is 6000 lbs.
The direct drive cylinders are powered via 120v.
It requires a minimum thickness of 4.25 inches and 3,000 PSI concrete flooring strength.
The total height of the MK6 is 89.5 inches which is 23 inches less than the Titan Lifts HD2P total height.
Its max pad lifting height is 47.5 inches but can be extended to 50.5 inches with 3-inch adapters. This is around 22 inches less than the Titan Lifts HD2P.
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FOUR POST LIFT
Last but not least is the 4-post car lift. A four post lift includes 4 posts that attach to two long car ramps. A 4-post system typically has a main hydraulic cylinder that operates cables to lift the car ramps.
BENEFITS +
The benefits of a 4-post car lift are not having to worry about the center of gravity or weight distribution of a scissor or 2-post lift. A 4-post lift can also be used to store one car lifted along with another car parked below the lifted car. You’ll have full access to mostly all the areas you’d want to get to under the car and drip trays can also be installed across the car ramps to help prevent spillage too. You’ll also need the proper concrete thickness, but some 4-post lifts are not required to be bolted into concrete.
DOWNSIDE -
One of the biggest downsides is horizontal space. The 4-post system will take much more horizontal space than a scissor or 2-post lift. The other disadvantage is that the car wheels are not lifted. However, you can purchase additional bridge jacks to lift the front and rear of the car between the ramps to lift the car's wheels off the ramps.
4 POST LIFT OPTIONS UNDER $4500
Titan Lifts SDPL-8000 - Four-Post - 8,000 lb. Capacity SDPL-8000 - $3499
The Titan SDPL-8000 allows you to lift one car in the air while also parking another car below the top one. It’s a DIYer’s dream, but you’ll need tons of space.
The SDPL-8000 total lifting capacity is 8,000 lbs.
The hydraulic system is powered via 110v.
It requires 4 inches of concrete and 3,000 PSI concrete flooring strength.
The overall height is measured in at 86-7/8 inches.
The total lifting height ranges from 4-3/4 inches to 74-3/4 inches. If you plan to park another car below a raised car, make sure you have the proper clearance.
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The next 4 post option under $4500 is the Tuxedo Distributors FP8K-DX:
The Tuxedo is a bit more expensive, but it comes standard with Poly Casters and Drip Trays, along with a Jack/Tool Tray. It requires 4-1/4 inch thick concrete and 3000psi of strength, but’s rated to not require bolting into the floor. This is where the casters come in which allow the lift to be easily moved without a car mounted if you have the space.
The FP8K total lifting capacity is also 8,000 lbs.
The hydraulic system is powered via 110v.
It requires 4-1/4 inches of concrete and 3,000 PSI flooring strength.
The overall height is 86 inches.
The total lifting height is 74-3/4 inches.
If you plan to park another car below a raised car, make sure you have the proper clearance for the FP8K-DX as well.
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