4 Post Lift With Jacks: Rolling Jack Options for Wheel-Off Work

A 4 post lift with jacks is the standard commercial-shop configuration – a drive-on four-post lift plus one or two rolling jack accessories that ride between the runways and lift the wheels off for tire, brake, suspension, and alignment adjustment work. Without a rolling jack, a 4-post can only do work where the wheels stay on the runway (fluid changes, exhaust, inspection). Adding jacks turns the 4-post into a proper service lift. This page walks through jack options, capacities, and pricing.

Why buy a 4 post lift with jacks instead of a 2-post?

A 2-post lift by itself does wheel-off work naturally – the arms lift the vehicle by the frame, the wheels drop. A 4-post keeps the wheels on the runways. So why would a shop pick a 4 post lift with jacks over a 2-post? Three main reasons:

• Long-chassis vehicles. Cargo vans, box trucks, service trucks, RVs, and dually pickups often do not fit safely on a 2-post – the wheelbase is too long, the frame lift points are not standard, or the vehicle needs to be centered on runways instead of hanging off arms.
• Alignment work. Alignment machines want the vehicle on a level runway with turnplates. A 4-post is the natural fit for alignment, and adding a jack lets you also do tire and suspension work on the same lift.
• Storage plus service. Some shops keep a car up on a 4-post overnight (safe to do on 4-post, not safe on 2-post) and want to do wheel-off work the next day without moving the vehicle. Rolling jack lets you.

Rolling jack options for a 4 post lift with jacks

Single rolling jack

Most commercial 4-post buyers start with one rolling jack. It rides between the runways on wheels, positions to any point along the runway length, and lifts both ends of an axle simultaneously by grabbing the frame or the axle itself. One jack handles most jobs – if you need to work on all four wheels, you move the jack between axles as needed.

Dual rolling jacks

Two jacks let you lift both axles simultaneously with the wheels fully off the runway. Faster for shops doing whole-vehicle tire jobs or brake work. Adds cost – the second jack is usually 60-80 percent of a single jack’s price on top of the first one.

Air-line kit

An air-line accessory runs shop air out to the rolling jack location so techs do not have to drag hoses. Small cost addition, big convenience upgrade for a busy bay.

Rolling jack capacity

Rolling jack capacity typically matches or slightly exceeds the base 4 post lift with jacks capacity. If the lift is a 14,000-pound Rotary SM140, the matched jack usually runs 6,000 to 8,000 pounds per jack (which is per-axle, so total lifting capability is 12K-16K). Match the jack capacity to your heaviest axle load, not your heaviest vehicle weight – a truck’s rear axle carries more than half the vehicle’s weight in most configurations.

Popular 4 post lift with jacks configurations

• Rotary SM140 + RJ8 – 14,000 lb 4-post + 8,000 lb rolling jack. Volume general-service shop combo.
• Rotary SM301 + RJ12 – 30,000 lb heavy-duty 4-post + 12,000 lb rolling jack for truck and fleet work.
• Forward CL4P14 + RJ7 – 14K 4-post + matched jack.
• Challenger 44000-series heavy-duty 4-posts with matched jacks for 40K+ capacity.

Each of these combinations we can quote with equipment, delivery, and install broken out separately.

Install and shop layout for a 4 post lift with jacks

The rolling jack rides between the runways, so your lift’s between-runway width has to fit the jack. Most Rotary and Challenger 4-posts come standard with the right runway spacing for the matched jack. If you are trying to add a rolling jack to an older 4-post that was not built with jacks in mind, we can usually make it work but confirm spacing first. Anchor requirements for a 4 post lift with jacks are the same as for the base lift – the jack itself does not add anchor requirements (it rolls, it does not bolt down).

Financing on a 4 post lift with jacks purchase

0% APR financing through First Business Bank on the whole package (lift plus jack plus install). 90-day payment defer available. Cash pricing also quoted on request.

Common questions on 4 post lift with jacks orders

Can I add a jack to a 4-post I already own? Yes in most cases if the runway spacing is right. Older Rotary SM-series and Challenger CL-series accept factory jacks. BendPak and some other brands are more finicky about aftermarket jacks – check first.

Do I need a jack right away? If you are buying primarily for alignment or storage, no – buy the base lift now, add the jack when you know you want it. If you are buying for general service, yes – order the jack with the lift so the delivery and install happen together.

Does the jack need its own power? Some rolling jacks use compressed air (need shop air line), some use hydraulic pumps built into the jack itself (no external power needed). Confirm on the model you pick.

Alignment work on a 4 post lift with jacks

A 4 post lift with jacks and turnplates makes a perfectly good alignment lift, and a lot of general-service shops end up using theirs this way instead of buying a dedicated alignment lift. The rolling jack lifts the axle so you can adjust the tie rods and camber bolts while the turnplates keep the wheel rotationally free for measurement. Not quite as tuned for alignment as a purpose-built alignment lift with slip plates at the rear, but for shops that align occasionally rather than as a specialty, it works.

Frequently asked questions

Why buy a 4 post lift with rolling jacks?

Rolling jacks let you lift the wheels off the runway for tire, brake, suspension, and alignment adjustment work. Without a jack, the wheels stay on the runway and you cannot do most wheel-off service.

Single or dual rolling jacks?

Single is fine for most shops – move the jack between axles as needed. Dual jacks let you do whole-vehicle work faster. Second jack adds 60-80% of a single jack’s price.

Can I add a rolling jack to a 4 post lift I already own?

Often yes if the runway spacing matches. Older Rotary SM and Challenger CL 4 posts accept factory jacks. BendPak is more finicky. Verify spacing before ordering.

What capacity rolling jack do I need?

Match to your heaviest axle load, not vehicle weight. A truck’s rear axle carries more than half the vehicle weight. Typically 6,000-8,000 lb per jack on a 14K 4 post lift.

Do rolling jacks need shop air?

Some do (air-over-hydraulic), some have hydraulic pumps built in. Confirm on the specific jack model when you order.