Best 4-Post Lift for my Z/28? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

brt3 · 05-17-2017, 09:49 AM

Yes, I realize this is a little OT. Our home flooded and we're nearing the end of a total rebuild. As part of this I'm improving the garage. It had zero insulation -- wonderful in TX -- so I've now spray-foamed the walls and ceiling, installed R-16 doors, and have added HVAC to moderate the temp/humidity. In a few weeks I'll add cabinets and epoxy the floor.

Given that we never have enough garage space, and always end up with at least one car outside, I want to add a 4-post lift to store my Z/28 out of harm's way, add another garage space, and give me a nice way to save my back during service and detail work.

I tend to buy for the long-term and don't mind spending extra if it gives me a higher-quality, longer-lasting, safer product.

I've been looking at BendPak and Challenger, but welcome suggestions if anyone here has experience with brands/models -- either the ones to avoid or the ones to follow up on.

Thanks in advance for your input, advice, and help!

karve · 05-17-2017, 11:05 AM

In my old house I had a three car garage...one double and one single. I had a BendPak 4 post in the single car that I kept my pro-touring 69 camaro on and Z06 under. Left me plenty of room for my truck and another car in the double. Had this lift for 4-5 years with zero issues

BMR Sales · 05-17-2017, 11:37 AM

I've had a Rotary for 11 years & love it - no problems. The thing that sold me on Rotary is that they are Made in the USA and most New Car Dealerships have Rotarys so Parts & Service would never be an issue.

They also Installed it - others that you order come to a Shipping Depot, then you need to get it to your house. Then you have to Buy Beer and invite friends over to install it & hope you don't have leftover parts!

Z Beast · 05-17-2017, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brt3

Yes, I realize this is a little OT. Our home flooded and we're nearing the end of a total rebuild. As part of this I'm improving the garage. It had zero insulation -- wonderful in TX -- so I've now spray-foamed the walls and ceiling, installed R-16 doors, and have added HVAC to moderate the temp/humidity. In a few weeks I'll add cabinets and epoxy the floor.

Given that we never have enough garage space, and always end up with at least one car outside, I want to add a 4-post lift to store my Z/28 out of harm's way, add another garage space, and give me a nice way to save my back during service and detail work.

I tend to buy for the long-term and don't mind spending extra if it gives me a higher-quality, longer-lasting, safer product.

I've been looking at BendPak and Challenger, but welcome suggestions if anyone here has experience with brands/models -- either the ones to avoid or the ones to follow up on.

Thanks in advance for your input, advice, and help!

I have a Direct lift it's on the cheaper end of the lifts but it has not given me any problems and came with a lot of extras. The only advise I can give you is get a wide one as our Z/28's barely fit on the standard size and get one with manual release of the locks not air operated. Here is mine as you can see if you have some negative camber in your car it barely fits on the lift. http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lifts-C9.aspx

4 FN 27 · 05-17-2017, 12:42 PM

Rotary in my shop. Have to use blocks to get the Z up high enough. If I would have had my Z before I built my shop I would have sunk the Hoist in the floor about 2-3 inches.

OneBadZ/28 · 05-17-2017, 08:41 PM

I also have a Rotary 2 post which I love. They make an awesome product. I installed mine parallel between 2 of my 4 ten foot doors towards the back of my garage. I did this so the posts would not be in the way of normal car door opening and closing in the 4 bays. You can leave a car up on it and still park in the four bays but you need to take couple of the cars out to go on the lift.

69L48Z27 · 05-17-2017, 10:23 PM

Just installed this a couple weeks ago. Advantage 9000#. The tires stick over 1" on either side with Z but I have plenty of drive through clearance. I only have 9'6" clearance to the ceiling.

brt3 · 05-20-2017, 09:31 PM

Thanks for all the great input; really appreciate it! It really helps to see the photos and stories of other setups and installs.

I've been looking at Rotary, Challenger, and BendPak. For my garage, the BendPak HD-9XW seems to be the best fit. Nice and wide, too -- 82-3/8" for the outside edge-to-edge measurement on the runways...

69L48Z27 · 05-21-2017, 09:34 AM

Bendpak was my #2. The only thing that steered me was:

- you need air to release locks.
- all the extras were extra.

brt3 · 05-22-2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69L48Z27

Bendpak was my #2. The only thing that steered me was:

- you need air to release locks.
- all the extras were extra.

I hear you on the BendPak. Still deciding whether air locking is a safety feature or PITA. Ditto on the extras. However, for the dimensions I have -- on both the garage and my Z/28 -- that BendPak model is the best fit...

BMR Sales · 05-22-2017, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69L48Z27

Bendpak was my #2. The only thing that steered me was:

- you need air to release locks.
- all the extras were extra.

Yes, the Extras can add up $$

Fortunately the Jack Bridge I got was Free as it was made for a different Lift and was too wide. I Cut it & Welded it back together!

The Best Extra was the Longer Aluminum Ramps!

hall966 · 05-22-2017, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

Yes, the Extras can add up $$

Fortunately the Jack Bridge I got was Free as it was made for a different Lift and was too wide. I Cut it & Welded it back together!

The Best Extra was the Longer Aluminum Ramps!

I agree with you on the ramps. The 50" ramps eliminate the need to add blocks to get started onto the lift. They are a necessity.

05-17-2017, 09:49 AM	#1
brt3 Runs with scissors... Drives: '14 Z/28s SIM/SW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,439	Best 4-Post Lift for my Z/28? Yes, I realize this is a little OT. Our home flooded and we're nearing the end of a total rebuild. As part of this I'm improving the garage. It had zero insulation -- wonderful in TX -- so I've now spray-foamed the walls and ceiling, installed R-16 doors, and have added HVAC to moderate the temp/humidity. In a few weeks I'll add cabinets and epoxy the floor. Given that we never have enough garage space, and always end up with at least one car outside, I want to add a 4-post lift to store my Z/28 out of harm's way, add another garage space, and give me a nice way to save my back during service and detail work. I tend to buy for the long-term and don't mind spending extra if it gives me a higher-quality, longer-lasting, safer product. I've been looking at BendPak and Challenger, but welcome suggestions if anyone here has experience with brands/models -- either the ones to avoid or the ones to follow up on. Thanks in advance for your input, advice, and help! __________________

05-17-2017, 12:42 PM	#5
4 FN 27 Drives: 2015 Z28 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grant Minnesnota Posts: 310	Rotary in my shop. Have to use blocks to get the Z up high enough. If I would have had my Z before I built my shop I would have sunk the Hoist in the floor about 2-3 inches. Attached Images

05-17-2017, 10:23 PM	#7
69L48Z27 Drives: 2015 Z/28; 1969 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: York, PA Posts: 805	Just installed this a couple weeks ago. Advantage 9000#. The tires stick over 1" on either side with Z but I have plenty of drive through clearance. I only have 9'6" clearance to the ceiling. Attached Images

05-20-2017, 09:31 PM	#8
brt3 Runs with scissors... Drives: '14 Z/28s SIM/SW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,439	Thanks for all the great input; really appreciate it! It really helps to see the photos and stories of other setups and installs. I've been looking at Rotary, Challenger, and BendPak. For my garage, the BendPak HD-9XW seems to be the best fit. Nice and wide, too -- 82-3/8" for the outside edge-to-edge measurement on the runways... __________________

05-17-2017, 11:05 AM	#2
karve Drives: 2015 Z/28 #737, 2014 Ford Raptor Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 155	In my old house I had a three car garage...one double and one single. I had a BendPak 4 post in the single car that I kept my pro-touring 69 camaro on and Z06 under. Left me plenty of room for my truck and another car in the double. Had this lift for 4-5 years with zero issues

05-17-2017, 11:37 AM	#3
BMR Sales Drives: Race Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 6,226	I've had a Rotary for 11 years & love it - no problems. The thing that sold me on Rotary is that they are Made in the USA and most New Car Dealerships have Rotarys so Parts & Service would never be an issue. They also Installed it - others that you order come to a Shipping Depot, then you need to get it to your house. Then you have to Buy Beer and invite friends over to install it & hope you don't have leftover parts!

05-17-2017, 08:41 PM	#6
OneBadZ/28 Drives: 2014 Z/28 Red/AC #56 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 36	I also have a Rotary 2 post which I love. They make an awesome product. I installed mine parallel between 2 of my 4 ten foot doors towards the back of my garage. I did this so the posts would not be in the way of normal car door opening and closing in the 4 bays. You can leave a car up on it and still park in the four bays but you need to take couple of the cars out to go on the lift.

05-21-2017, 09:34 AM	#9
69L48Z27 Drives: 2015 Z/28; 1969 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: York, PA Posts: 805	Bendpak was my #2. The only thing that steered me was: - you need air to release locks. - all the extras were extra.