New to the board, and was not sure which forum this should go into. Moderator, feel free to move if I am in error.

I will break ground on my new garage in a week or so. Due to the zoning ordinances on accessory buildings here in Carolina Beach, I am limited to a 9 foot ceiling height.

I was originally going to put a 4-post automotive lift in the garage because I am tired of the damn jack stands.

Do any of you with a similar lift think I should follow-through with the purchase of the lift? I know a 11-12 ft ceiling is recommended, but it just is not going to happen.

Thanks,
Mike

have you checked - http://kwiklift.com/

They have lifts of all heights. Might still have to use a creeper but still easier than putting her up on stands all the time.

Oh! And welcome to the best damn BB on the web.

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'70 SS 396
4spd, 4.10's and a smile
TC# 1341
ACES# 5388
Beaux
The SS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmyss.JPG)
The Rat (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmill.JPG)
Interior (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/midint.JPG)

Life is a gateway drug that leads to Chevelle addiction.

[This message has been edited by Midnight Marauder (edited 12-31-2002).]

Have you looked at using scissor trusses on the garage. Might clear the zoning board and give you the headroom you need. My new 3rd stall has at least 13' while apearing the same from the outside as my 8' main stalls.

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65 Chevelle SS conv

so what would the do if you were building a garage for your motor home? i built mine 16' here in the crappy state of CA and all i had to do was have it engineered. cost $300.00 dont let them buffalo you. if there is a will there is a way. i cant imagine how i survived without my 4 post lift. it was the best $3500 i ever spent. also dont forget about things like you cant use a std garage door. you need a roll up door as the normal door will be in the way when you have the car up. be sure to make it deep and wide enough so you can walk around it while on the lift. i measured and measured but wish i had made it 3' bigger each way.
good luck, dick

Mike,

I am in Durham, NC city limits and when I told the codes office a few months ago that I wanted to build my shop with 12 foot ceilings, he told me that the only regulation about that was more distance from the property lines to the building. You might want to check on that.
Good Luck,
Billy

Hi guys,

The restriction on ceiling height is due to the strict zoning regs on the beach. I could get a higher ceiling if the garage was was going to be atteached to the house. I can't do that, the structure will be free-standing.

It is actually a prety new ordinance. I applied for an exception, to no avail.

BTW, just as a point of interest-construction costs here on the beach have skyrocketed to $105-$110 per square foot. How crazy is that. The garage is going to cost me about 1/2 that per square foot, but that is still more expensive than three miles down the road. **sigh**

Have you considered something like: http://www.eagleequip.com/images/product_pictures/lifts/mm2blu2_250.jpg

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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

I just finished building a 1200 s.f. garage. It has sissor trusses in it. The PLATE height is 8'8 inches. The way I understand what I just wrote is that measurement is to top of the exterior walls. I have 13'6' inches to the top ceiling, and have an above ground symetric lift. the pitch on the inside of the " garage ma hall" is 12-4. If I can figure out how to send a picture i will do so now.

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1967 ss396 clone. powdercoated frame,suspension,r12 bolt posi,7004r, and just about everything else! 502,700r4,12 boltposi, ps,pb,fact. a/c,pw, tilt, buckets, momma likes this car. hates my grand national. Hope to be done with her in about a year