If you are looking to turn your home garage into a mechanic’s work station or want to purchase a space for a commercial repair shop, one of the first things you need to know when looking at real estate is whether or not you have a tall enough ceiling to accommodate a two post car lift.
Typically, a minimum ceiling height of eleven or twelve feet is tall enough to install a two post lift. Two post lift manufacturers will also be able to advise you on the proper ceiling height for their products.
In this article, we will address how far into the ground you should install a two post lift and tall the average two post lift is. Additionally, we will cover how much clearance space a two post lift needs as well as what to do if your ceiling isn’t tall enough to accommodate a two post lift.
How Far Down Should You Set a Two Post Lift?
In order to securely install a two post lift in your garage, you need to make sure that it is properly set in the concrete. Two post lifts technically sit on top of the concrete floor and are bolted into the ground. However, if you already have a poured concrete garage floor, you will need to cut twelve inch squares where the posts will be installed.
The areas should be dug out at least two feet down so that you know you have a solid foundation for the bolts to sink into. Make sure the concrete has been completely set before installing the two post lift to avoid it settling.
Wait at least four weeks after the concrete has been poured and then have a professional install the posts on top of the new concrete pads. Most two post lifts are secured with at least six bolts on each post.
Since two posts lifts have half the posts of four posts lifts, they require extra stability and should always be installed with a greater depth of concrete.
How Tall Is a Typical Two Post Lift?
The average two post lift ranges in height from nine to over eleven feet high. They need to be this tall in order to accommodate lifting most cars which sit five or six feet tall with trucks and SUVS being even taller. Even the taller vehicles can then be lifted at least three to four feet in order to service them from underneath.
Even if you choose to install a nine or ten foot two post lift, you should make sure that you have an eleven or twelve foot ceiling for proper clearance. The integrity of the lift and your garage can be compromised if the top of the lift’s beam is pressed against the garage ceiling.
This can cause roof damage and weaken the lift which can be dangerous for anyone working underneath a lifted car. Two post lifts were not originally intended for residential garages, so special accommodations may need to be made to a garage to fit even the shortest of two post lifts.
How Much Room in a Garage Does a Two Post Lift Require?
Garages not only require the proper height clearance for two post lifts which necessitate at least eleven or twelve foot ceilings, but they also need enough lateral room to safely operate. A two post lift should be placed nine or ten feet back from the front wall if it has asymmetric arms and twelve feet from the front wall if it has symmetric arms.
A minimum of two feet between posts and side walls is also required to properly maneuver around the lift. Keep in mind the kind of vehicles you will be servicing when considering where to install your two post lift. You need to ensure that the average and maximum car length is considered so that the lift can properly work with the vehicle without interfering with the garage’s structure.
Also, keep in mind what other tools and equipment you will have stored in the garage as well as the comfort and safety of other personnel working in the garage who will need to maneuver around the lift.
What If Your Ceiling Isn’t Tall Enough for a Two Post Lift?
There are a few options if your garage ceiling isn’t tall enough to install a standard two post lift. The first is to look into a more compact lift. Two post lift manufacturers have begun creating lifts for those who want to install them in their home garages, not just commercial mechanic garages.
There are lifts on the market that can easily accommodate a nine foot ceiling instead of eleven or twelve feet. If you don’t have even a nine foot garage ceiling, you may be able to expand your garage upwards. If your garage already has overhead storage or attic space, you can lift the ceiling to accommodate a car lift.
The last alternative is to purchase or build a new garage space that will provide a tall enough ceiling to install a two post lift. The advantage of building a completely new space is that you can also ensure there is enough lateral clearance as well as at least two feet of nearly poured concrete for the optimal secure installation of your two post lift.
Conclusion
A two post lift is a great piece of equipment to have in your garage if you are mechanically minded and an absolute necessity for running a vehicle repair business. Most two post lifts require at least eleven or twelve feet of ceiling height, nine to twelve feet of clearance from the front wall, and at least two feet of solid concrete to secure to on the ground.
There are certain accommodations that can be made for shorter garages; however, most two post lifts stand at least nine to eleven feet tall. Make sure to measure your space before committing to a two post lift installation.