Where to Install Your Two-Post Lift: A Comprehensive Guide

A common question we receive is about the optimal location for mounting a two-post lift. Since the ideal placement depends on various factors like garage space, ceiling height, and the space around the columns, there’s no single solution that fits all situations. However, there are key considerations to help you find the best spot for your lift.

Determining the Placement of Your Car Lift For Sale Two-Post Lift

With ample garage space, the main concerns are ensuring the correct ceiling height and adequate room around the columns. For those with limited floor space, a more strategic approach is needed. We recommend temporarily positioning the columns in the desired area and checking the space around the lift before permanently anchoring them.

Column Placement Relative to the Front Wall

The distance between the front wall and the columns depends on your lift’s arm type. For lifts with asymmetric arms, position the column centers about 9–10 feet from the front wall. For symmetric arms, this distance should be approximately 12 feet. If using Atlas-exclusive super-symmetric or versa-metric arms (such as on the Atlas PV-10P), place the columns about 10 feet from the front wall. These versatile arms allow better adjustment of the vehicle’s position, facilitating easier access around it.

When the vehicle is asymmetrically positioned on the lift, approximately 30% of the vehicle will be in front of the columns and 70% behind them. For a 25-foot-long lift bay and an 18-foot vehicle, the vehicle’s front end will be about 4-5 feet from the columns. If the columns are 9 feet from the front wall, this will leave about 4 feet between the car’s hood and the wall. For a symmetrically positioned vehicle, 50% will be in front of and 50% behind the lift, leaving about 3 feet between the vehicle’s front and the wall if the vehicle is 18 feet long.

Space and Safety Considerations

When choosing your Car Lift For Sale  lift’s location, consider the vehicle’s length, weight, and any additional equipment. For instance, if your service bay is 25 feet long and you plan to lift a dually crew cab with an eight-foot bed (23 feet in total), you’ll have only one foot of space at each end of the truck. Additionally, if you have large equipment or a substantial waist size, you may need more space.

Temporarily positioning the columns and driving in the longest vehicle you plan to lift can help you assess whether there is enough space for safe maneuvering and proper lift arm placement.

Impact of Concrete Cracks

Cracks in concrete vary in size and may affect your lift’s stability. Generally, if your concrete is 4 inches deep with 3000 PSI strength, it should support the lift. For cracks or imperfections, you might need to pour a new concrete pad or use epoxy to secure the bolts.

In summary, selecting the right spot for your Car Lift For Sale two-post lift involves evaluating available space, concrete quality, and vehicle dimensions. Ensuring adequate room for safe operation and maneuvering is crucial. When in doubt, use practical judgment to ensure a safe and effective installation.

Once you’ve selected the general area for your lift installation and BEFORE purchasing the lift, it’s important to drill a small test hole a few feet from the intended location. Consult your manual to determine the minimum concrete thickness required for your lift. We recommend placing a piece of tape X inches from the end of your masonry bit and drilling into the concrete. Ensure you do not penetrate the slab completely before the tape reaches the surface. Typically, X is 4 inches, but it can be 6 inches or more for larger lifts, so check your manual for the exact requirement. 

If you confirm that the slab is thicker than the minimum requirement, you can proceed with the installation. However, be aware that lift manuals also specify the required concrete strength and reinforcement type. Many customers install Car Lift For Sale lifts on existing slabs without knowing these details. If you didn’t pour the slab yourself and lack information on the concrete’s psi rating and reinforcement type, it’s best to be cautious. This means limiting the lift to lighter vehicles and avoiding heavy SUVs or diesel pickup trucks. While this doesn’t guarantee safety, it’s a prudent approach. If you are confident in your concrete’s quality or are prepared to accept the risks associated with an unknown concrete strength and reinforcement type, you may proceed with the installation.

Once you’ve confirmed that your concrete is sufficiently thick and strong, the next step is to decide where to place the Car Lift For Sale  lift. For a vehicle up to 22 feet long, position the lift at least 11 feet from both the front and rear walls. If space permits, we recommend setting the lift at least 16 feet from the wall. This setup provides 11 feet for the vehicle and an additional 5 feet for working space.

After purchasing your Car Lift For Sale lift and moving it to the installation area, unpack the components. This task is physically demanding but straightforward. Remove all packaging and components that are not part of the main towers, such as the arms, overhead bar, power unit, truck adapters, lift feet/pads, and hardware kit. This will lighten the towers. To support the towers while you unbolt them, use an engine hoist to lift and hold the weight. Remove the packaging plates from each end and separate the towers. Having a friend to assist from this point forward is highly recommended.

With the Car Lift For Sale lift location determined and the concrete checked, use a chalk line on the floor to align the towers. Standing up the towers can be done with two people. If your lift has a ~3-foot extension that needs to be bolted in place, it’s easier to do this while the towers are still on the ground. For this installation, the towers are made from a single piece of steel, so there are no extensions to attach.