Guides / Lifts and parking
Two-post or four-post lift?
Typical numbers. Your lift's install manual has the final say.
Short answer
Get a two-post if you work on the car. Get a four-post if you mostly want to park one car over another.
Side by side
| Lift | Ceiling | Max rise | Best for | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseplate two-post | 114 in (9 ft 6 in) | 72 in | Brakes, suspension, exhaust | Plate between the posts |
| Overhead two-post | 138 in (11 ft 6 in) | 72 in | Same jobs, with a clear floor | Clear |
| Four-post, low ceiling | 126 in (10 ft 6 in) | 66 in | Parking one car over another | Runways take up the bay |
Ceiling is the lowest thing overhead, not the drywall. The door track is usually the low point.
Working under the car
A two-post picks the car up by the frame. The wheels hang free, so brakes, suspension and tires are right there.
A four-post holds the car on its tires. Oil changes and exhaust work are fine. For wheels and brakes you need a bridge jack on the runways, which adds a few hundred dollars.
Parking two cars in one bay
This is what four-posts are built for. You drive on, raise it, and park underneath. A two-post can hold a car up, but most makers don't want it left up for months.
Ceiling height
A baseplate two-post needs about 114 in (9 ft 6 in). A four-post needs about 126 in. An overhead two-post needs the most, about 138 in, because the beam runs across the top.
Floor and slab
A two-post bolts to the floor, and all the weight sits on a few anchors. That's why the slab matters so much. Many four-posts can sit on the floor without anchors, so you can move them later.
Either way, plan on at least 4 in of 3,000 PSI concrete. How to check your slab.