Hey Guys!
Talked my better (looking) half into letting me buy a lift!
Have room for either a 2 post or 4 post lift.... If I go with a 2 post will have to go with one with the floor plate.....
Thoughts or suggestions?
I plan to keep my 70SS in the air over the winter and will do under carriage work during that time... i can then park the daily driver underneath...
Just don't know which one to get... leaning toward the 2 post as i think you can do much more repair work, etc....
Anyone have any photos of 2 and 4 post lifts?
Thinking about the Greg Smith Equipment Pro 9F for around $2100.

I use a 2 post at my club's shop. It is nice for under car access. It is a pita that the post is in front of the door making it a squeeze in and out. It is also the typ that lets the suspension hang, I would not want that long term. The car is not meant to be supported by the frame long term. If I was to get one for myself, I would get a 4 post as it is an easy drive on, no messing with arms under the car. JMO.

My buddy bought a 4 post lift and he can roll it around in the shop to where he need it then put a car on it. Works great outside if one wants to pressure wash the underside of the car. He also has the jack and tray asm. the allows one to work on the suspension

I would go with the 4 post lift. I bought one from greg smith about a year ago. It also comes with the wheels to move it around.

Here is the story, I have a two post. I am 64 and all most 65. If you get a 2 post and have a two car garage put it on the outside wall. I have a three car garage and I didn't put it on the out side and made a mistake. Need the room to do other things . Ok If you are going to do front wheel drive cars . it is the best and wheel work or brakes. it isn't too bad setting the arms under. I have had mine three years and got it from Eagle Lifts. Great company. Stands by their stuft and call them direct and can neg price. and shipping. Not a problem opne. any other questions email me

In my 8 years teaching auto, I find the 2 post much more easy to work on the car and is more well rounded. The 4 post has its use, but it sucks if you dont have the center jack set to lift it up off the ramps to remove the wheels. We have both at school and the two post is down right now, it has definately put a cramp in our maintenance program we offer teachers for brakes and such.

Check out this website:

http://www.backyardbuddy.com/

I purchased my 4 Post Lift there. What a pleasure it is to have the extra storage and the flexibility to work under the car like a gentleman.

If you are looking for storage or mobility of the hoist: 4 post. I went with a 2 post as mine gets used for a lot stuff chassis related and IMO the 4 post would be in the way most of the time. Mine is a Bend Pak from www.asedeals.com. Picks up my lifted 3/4 ton Burb as easy as it does a Honda car :D
Lastly if you search this site for hoist you will find a few hours of reading.

I have both a two post and a four post lift. The two post is by far the workhorse and the four is more of a storage unit. I leave my 65 on the four post most of the time, handy for cleaning and maybe an oil change, but you can't beat the two post for being wide open underneath for suspension, brakes, exhaust etc. Guess it just depends on how much it will be for storage and how much you plan on working under it. Here's a picture of the two post, it is a Complete Hydralics unit, love it, priced great. Great people to work with.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/Inside1.jpg
This is the four post, I have since replaced the opener with a jackshaft model. It is an Autolifters. Made in USA, solid as hell, but company went belly up a few years ago. Lost my lifetime warranty.:sad:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/Autolift.JPG

I have both, too. The 2 post gets used for any/all mechanical work. The 4 post is for car storage capacity. We try to keep the 2 post area open so it's available for use. All of our vehicles, as well as those of some close friends wind up on the 2 post at various times.

IMO, pick your #1 primary need. If it's working on the car, get a 2 post. If it's storage go 4 post. You can work under a 4 post, but as has been pointed out, you need the hydraulic jacks to lift the car off the ramps to remove the wheels, when needed. You also have to reach over the ramps, at times, to get at what you're doing. Kind of a pita, IMO

I would not store a car on a 2 post, long term.

I also have both 2 and 4 post lifts. I would not store a car on the 2 post one. One time I had my 70 on the 2 post, made the mistake of opening the passengers door. Enough flex in the frame I guess that the front edge of the door rubbed the fender edge and chipped some paint. I can open the drivers door without any trouble. Just order both lifts and tell the wife it was a 2 for 1 sale.

go for the 4 post. here's a similar post. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232647&highlight=bend+pak

Id do a 2 post. Lets the suspension droop, which makes it a whole hell of alot easier to remove tires, do brakes and suspension work, and takes up less room. Just gives you more room to work on things over the 4 post. My .02.

For someone who's not a daily tech, I prefer a 4 post. I like the ability to drive up it and have the whole car supported yet have access to everything short of the rocker panels. If you go 4 post, get the trolly jacks that let you raise it off the ramps. I like the idea of not letting your suspension hang down for months on end (I'm in MN, so there's storage).

Most shops use 2 post types since they allow full access to everything underneath, but vehicles are usually not on them for longer than a couple days.

Hey Guys!
Thanks for all the great info!
Dave, great idea, I think i'll do the 2 post now... and then tell the wife i need the 4 post for more storage!

I have a two post and it is better for working on the car - I would like to get a four post for storage - and as an alternative oil change location when the two post bay is occupied.....

If it is just for home use the 4 post is the way to go.