4 vs 2 Post Car Lifts: 4 Important Buying Considerations

Imagine being excited to buy a new vehicle only to discover that you don’t have enough garage space to park it. You'll be wondering — what's a good workaround besides building a new garage? Fortunately, there's an easy answer: car lifts.

Car lifts are convenient tools for car owners who need extra vehicle storage in their garage. Convenient and easy to use, car lifts allow you to use your garage space more effectively by raising one vehicle off the ground and allowing another vehicle to be parked under it.

Now, there are various considerations to keep in mind when buying either a 4 or 2 post car lift. Our team at JMC Equipment put together this guide to help you make an informed decision.

Home Parking

If you're buying to add home parking space, a 4 post car lift is the better option. Most 4 post car lifts are intended for this purpose, and only a few 2 post car lifts are recommended for this usage.

Additionally, it's easier to get in and out of a vehicle parked under a 4 post car lift compared to a 2 post car lift.

Garage Space

With fewer posts to consider, a 2 post car lift will naturally take up less garage space. It's the logical purchase if you have a small garage. Consider other factors too, like where the garage door opener, lighting, and storage racks are located and how high your garage doors open.

Installation

Installing your Car Lift

An important thing to remember when installing your car lift is not to do it yourself unless you have the necessary skills. Car lifts can be really hard to install due to their heaviness and the machinery that needs to be installed.

An expert lift installer has the necessary knowledge on what to do, like check the garage floor and ensure the thickness of the concrete is enough to support the weight, to make sure you get a working lift at the end of the day.

Take note that a 2 post car lift must be anchored. A lift installer will thus consider the state of your garage floor as well as the location of floor seams and cracks before putting the needed anchors. In contrast, many 4 post car lifts have no need for anchors because they are more stable.

Cost

2 post car lifts are a little cheaper than 4 post car lifts because of their generally lower lifting capabilities and the comparatively less construction material they use up.

When doing the budget for your car lift, remember the following:

  • Choose a reliable and reputable car lift company.
  • Less expensive brands might not observe the higher safety standards of established lift manufacturers.
  • The weight of the car or vehicle you will be lifting will have a direct impact on how much you will pay for your car lift.

Get Your High-Quality Car Lift at JMC Equipment

JMC Automotive is a Delaware-based company that provides high-quality automotive equipment at affordable prices. As leaders in the automotive industry, their goal is to make their customers feel 100% sure about their purchases.

No matter what type of car lift you buy, JMC Equipment can guarantee an excellent and safe product that you can use for the years to come. Contact us today to learn more about our services.