2 post v Scissor lift

[SimonBrown]

Looking to purchase a lift for my home garage. It is 3.8 x 5.5metres with a 2.5 metre ceiling height.
I don’t know whether to go for an Automotech AS7630 scissor lift or an AS230SP short height 2 post.
Portability of the scissor lift appeals, but height from the floor doesn’t. I don’t particularly want to sink it in to the floor.
Any advice to help with my decision would be much appreciated. Does anyone have any experience with either of these?
Thank you

[politeperson]

My vote is a 2 post.

Scissor lift as a complete Nause on an E-type.

I have both!

On a scissor lift, it is very difficult to get the lifting pads in the correct location because the E type is so low, narrow and the distance between the correct lifting points is so long.

Also the exhaust and gearbox is inaccessible as the scissor platform is completely in the way.

The while front of the car hangs over the front of the lift, the balance looks just wrong.

Also they are marketed as potable but they weigh the best part of a tonne and they are not really.

They are cheap and reliable though.

With a 2 post Life becomes a breeze and a bit safer too.

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Simon

I would recommend a third option-a four post lift. If you couple this with a hydraulic jacking beam then you can do everything a two post lift can do without the dangers.
The jacking beam allows the car to be raised off all four wheels at once-one axle on the beam and the other on axle stands sitting in a suitably robust tray. In my case two L shaped steel cross arms from an electricity pole.
Both sitting between the two runners.
No worries about shifting centres of gravity when removing major items like the engine and gearbox.
In addition you can stack one car above the other if roof height allows.

[madjack4]

With your height restriction in the past i used a two post ramp with a shallow pit dug out between the posts to give you a decent working height works well
Regards

[abowie]

I have a 2 post. For the reasons above I would avoid a scissor lift.

I'm not sure that you have enough roof height to use one though.

You're only going to get the wheels a maximum 1200mm off the ground before the top of the car hits your ceiling.

I suppose that's better than nothing but it really limits your access.

[Stevejaguar]

I have a 4 post lift purchased from my cousin when he sold one of his TVRs. Best single purchase ever (except of course for my E type).

Doesn't allow unrestricted access to all areas but so far I have not found any major difficulties.

If you are buying new you can get one custom made to suit your available space. Mine just happened to be the right size.

Steve

[mgcjag]

Have you tried to remove the IRS or engine useing a 4 post lift.....very awkward.....if you have plenty of room at the rear and sides then not too bad but in a standard size garage then its very difficult.........Note that with all these lifts when you want to let the car down from its raised position you first have to lift it a bit to release the locks before you can lower it down.....so take this into account on low ceiling height spaces....Steve

[dxke38]

I have a scissor lift thats recessed into the floor of my garage. It's ideal for removing the rear axle complete and does have other benefits when working on suspension, brakes etc, but if I were buying now it would definitely be a two post ramp having used a friends to remove engine gearbox unit.

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Removing the engine and gearbox using a 4 post lift is very straightforward. You just place a trolley underneath, disconnect everything and raise the car leaving the engine and gearbox on the trolley. Another advantage to this is that the bonnet and radiator can be left in situ.
I haven't removed the IRS yet, but using the jacking beam will raise the car sufficiently off the lift to allow the IRS to be removed-again onto a trolley which can then be rolled along the lift runners and on to the garage floor.