Inground home car lift

[tide]

Wife and I are currently planning to build a custom home and one thing one my wish list is an inground car lift. Does anyone have something like this at home and have personal tales to tell, how much do they run, are they useful, etc, etc. Shop guys might as well chime in too if they have experience here.

Thanks!

[lhsa]

if you don't get responses here, i know on 6speed, there's a section for garages, including lifts.

[FVM3]

Do you mean this one?

[GreasyGinzo]

No, I think he means an in ground hydraulic cylinder auto life to be able to work on his car from underneath

[tide]

More like you'd see at a shop. http://www.challengerlifts.com/inground-lifts.shtml

[FVM3]

Like this?

(photo from the internet)

[elm3]

Depending on what state, it would be hard to put under ground hydrolic cylinders, because of EPA regulations. I know here in Georgia, you can not have under ground lifts on newer buildings. So if I was you, I would check with your state's EPA regulation, before spending the money. IMO.

[tide]

That have ones that run on air/water, but that's a good point. I'll check with the manufacturer and local builder.

http://www.challengerlifts.com/AV1020WV.shtml

[Technic]

Originally Posted by tide

Wife and I are currently planning to build a custom home and one thing one my wish list is an inground car lift. Does anyone have something like this at home and have personal tales to tell, how much do they run, are they useful, etc, etc. Shop guys might as well chime in too if they have experience here.

Thanks!

The day I hit the Lotto that same afternoon I'm buying the lift for my future custom home garage. The rest can wait.

[SiRR]

Here is one I found through a Canadian automotive equip site...

http://www.babco.ca/Automotive-Equip...fts/BendPak-P6

[Stainless 45]

If you can't get anywhere with the lift idea, you could always consider having the foundation cast with a pit, where you can stand up and work on the car from underneath without lifting it.

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by Stainless 45

If you can't get anywhere with the lift idea, you could always consider having the foundation cast with a pit, where you can stand up and work on the car from underneath without lifting it.

Pits fucking suck...but its easier than a jack for oil changes

[SFPunjabi]

Got on of these at home http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...61837*&topnav=

You drive onto it, so its not technically made to work on the car but you get full access to the under-body

We just use it so we can get another car into the garage.

[///My5UV]

The pain with the in-ground style lift is you don't get good access to the bottom of the car. Best to have extra room on the sides for a 2- or 4-post lift.

2-post is great for working under the car, but requires the concrete to be a minimum strength and thickness... post-tension slabs are bad news unless you carefully plan the lift column positions. They usually also require higher ceiling clearance, but that needs to be planned for with any lift, really.
4-post is great for doing stuff that need the suspension loaded (like adjusting sway bar end links)
4-post is generally considered safest for storing a car in the lifted position (so you can put a second car underneath :-)

Check out garage journal's forum for way more info.

[snowmants]

I remember a while back COSTCO was actually selling one.... You might check their site.

edit: I see someone linked to it above....

[bigjae1976]

Ahhh...this is my dream! It will pay for itself in saved frustration and fear (when trying to put your car on jack stands) alone.

I would get a 2 post lift. If you need to do suspension work on a 4 post lift, you could build some sort of platform and lower the car onto it.

I hate 4 posts. I've banged my head on them enough times. But it still beats working on your back.

[-Ryan-]

Like this?

[kenwelch]

Originally Posted by tide

Wife and I are currently planning to build a custom home and one thing one my wish list is an inground car lift. Does anyone have something like this at home and have personal tales to tell, how much do they run, are they useful, etc, etc. Shop guys might as well chime in too if they have experience here.

Thanks!

I have taught automotive repair for 37 years. You will be happier with an above ground lift, either twin post or 4 post. If you are planning the new home near your current "earth quake country" listing, the 4 post lift will be much safer for storing vehicles on the lift. The above ground style can be moved later if your "plans" change and would like to move it to another location in the garage. Here is a link for Tom at Hoist Service. He has been the best service provider and advice for my needs for many years. We just replaced about eight in-ground lifts at the college where I also teach part-time, Tom is outstanding. While located out of your area he could be of help with recommendations or suggestions for a install company in your area.

http://www.manta.com/c/mmf10n5/hoist-serviceOwn this business?

Tom Leroux
Hoist Service, Inc
7542 Acacia Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841-4002

I like the Rotary lifts... they're not cheep but I have had very few problems in many years of use.
http://www.rotarylift.com/

[Davin]

I'd love to do this with my home one day

[m3keash]

Originally Posted by -Ryan-

Like this?

That's a nice garage. I've got the commercial flooring and storage but hydrolic tools and lift? Nice.