There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for car lifts, so customers must consider various factors when deciding on the best lift.
One of the first items on that pre-purchase checklist is to analyze a garage’s ceiling height to determine what style of lift will work safely within the confines of the workspace.
With some planning, it’s relatively simple to avoid a setback from not having the necessary clearance to service a vehicle.
Follow the Equation
Lifting Height + Vehicle Height (from the lifting point to the top of the vehicle) = clearance needed for maximum lift height
This number can then be compared to your ceiling height to see if you will be able to utilize the maximum lift height or if you will be limited by the ceiling height.
Each style of lift, whether a two-post, four-post, or scissor lift, has a listed lift height corresponding to its lifting capability. Many lifts feature different lifting heights when used with lift pad height extensions. For example, one of the top car lifts for low ceilings, the Weaver W-9KFP Baseplate 2 Post Auto Lift, has a lifting height of 68 to 80.5 inches.
While it’s essential to check the dimensions of specific makes and models you will be placing on the lift, here are some general guidelines to help:
• Compacts: 4.5 to 5.2 feet
• Sports cars: 3.9 to 4.5 feet
• Luxury cars: 4.2 to 4.9 feet
• Compact SUVs: 4.9 to 5.6 feet
• SUVs: 5.2 to 6.2 feet
• Trucks: 5.5 to 6.2 feet
Ceiling Height for Two-Post Lifts
In many cases, two-post lifts are designed to fit under 12-foot-high ceilings. The baseplate style 2-Post will allow for lower ceiling height and typically works with 9.5-foot-high ceilings.
Using the aforementioned Weaver W-9KFP lift at its minimum lifting height of 68 inches, a customer looking to service vehicles no taller than 5.5 feet would have a minimum ceiling requirement of just over 12 feet. Keep in mind that this is based on lifting the vehicle to the highest lock position on the lift. However, if the customer wanted to service even larger vehicles, such as full-size trucks/vans, a lift with an overall height of over 12 ft. may be necessary.
The Weaver W-9KFP can operate in home garages and small shops with at least 9.5-foot ceilings. With a lifting capacity of 9,000 pounds, customers will gain in lifting ability what they will give up in terms of storage space over 4-post lifts.
Ceiling Height for Four-Post lifts
An option often used to help increase usable space in a garage, four-post lifts are often used to raise a vehicle up so another vehicle can be stored beneath it. Floorspace is always at a premium, and four-post lifts often help to solve that issue. They also have a lower overall height compared to 2-Post lifts.
Our top recommendation in this category for workspaces with reduced ceiling clearance is the Direct-Lift Pro-Park 8 Standard Certified 4 Post Car Lift, which boasts an overall height of just 6 feet, 9.5 inches. With an 8,000-pound lifting capacity, it is suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including SUVs and light trucks. The Direct-Lift Pro-Park 9 Plus will allow more room for larger vehicles like SUVs and Trucks.
Don’t Forget About Other Dimensions
Ceiling height is the most important factor when considering a vehicle lift; however, you should also consider the width of a vehicle lift and how it can prohibit movement around your workspace.
The last thing we want to see a customer do is choose the correct setup concerning ceiling height but struggle to move around the vehicle to perform quality work.
Rearranging items within a shop or garage can often help maximize floor space and create room for a vehicle lift, so be sure to consider all options before giving up due to space restrictions.
When lifting multi-ton objects into the air, safety is paramount. You should keep this in mind not only while operating your lift but also when planning the installation.
Let Us Help You
Analyzing ceiling height for a lift isn’t exactly rocket science, but we’ve seen mistakes get made before. Instead of spending hours researching vehicle heights and lift capabilities, give the experts at Derek Weaver Co. a call at 817-560-9510. The answers that may take you hours to find are just a short phone call away.
