Building new garage and want to recess the 4 post lift to eliminate the ramps

[DakotaGT]

The garage is underground and has a concrete slab above. No 2 posts for me, 4 posts only

There are some features of your project that are very reminiscent of my garage project, completed a couple of years ago (three stories, all connected by spiral staircase, with tunnel in lowest level connecting to the basement level of my home). At one point, I was considering a "car elevator" to move cars between the 1st and 2nd level. I wonder if they make a product that would serve as a "useable" lift, and still function as the floor of the second story/ceiling of the 1st story, when in the lowered position.

Note: garage in attached photo is not mine

 

[Sinovac]

Putting in a 3' pit also. I currently sit on a rolling chair now under my lift and I want to get rid of that.

The pit changes the equation. I would make the pit with the same rough dimensions as the runner assembly. This gives you more room than a traditional pit. Recess the column pads to the depth you need so the runners are flush with your finished floor height. Keep in mind that you'll need stairs and, if this work is permitted, a railing will likely be needed to pass code. The railing will cause a bunch of other headaches regarding access when the car in lowered, but if you're creative you can find a work around. I also noticed you have a sump pump. If you have a problem with water, excavating even further will only exacerbate this.

So, to answer your original question, since you are going through the expense and trouble of installing a pit, I see no problem with recessing the runners. It's only some additional concrete form work.

 

[GT101]

What you describe is exactly what all our MOT test stations use. It's common practice here in the UK - if you Google "MOT ramp" you should get plenty of illustrations like this:



Dave
GT101.co.uk

 

[STORMCAT]

Not sure why you want to avoid the ramps. Creating a pit to accommodate the lift is going to be a task with some draw backs and it's going to limit the space under the ramp. All 4 post lifts have a cross bar so your pit is going to be the full width of the lift plus the leg base pads..My ramps are attached to the lift and you don't have to touch them. I have two Rotary 4 post lifts I use for my GT's . On one I have the ramps fixed in the horizontal position so the don't hang down. Due to space restrictions I let the ramps hang down on the other one. One of my cars is lowered with a bigger splitter so I use some Race Ramps as extensions. They are very light and not a big deal to put in place. Making it easier to live with the ramps seems far easier that trying to live with a sunken lift.

 

[Xcentric]

I believe he wants the pit to allow standing under the car, given that the ceiling is low. Sounds like a worthy project.

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[RALPHIE]

What you describe is exactly what all our MOT test stations use. It's common practice here in the UK - if you Google "MOT ramp" you should get plenty of illustrations like this:

View attachment 35074

Dave
GT101.co.uk

That's a fantastic looking lift arrangement - thanks for sharing -

View attachment 35075

 

[zach05855]

What you describe is exactly what all our MOT test stations use. It's common practice here in the UK - if you Google "MOT ramp" you should get plenty of illustrations like this:

View attachment 35074

Dave
GT101.co.uk

Thanks this is exactly what I want to do. The point is to eliminate the ramps. The ramps will be in the way so this way I gain an extra parking space and have no issues with my cars that require extra long ramps which I use now.

 

[BlackICE]

Doesn't look like you can park a car under that setup.

 

[Xcentric]

Doesn't look like you can park a car under that setup.

I think he means it is very easy to drive in and out with the ramps flush and no approach ramps to drive up.

The approach ramps are not something I want to deal with every time I pull in the garage...making sure I'm perfectly centered, slipping the clutch, yadda yadda.

 

[BlackICE]

I think he means it is very easy to drive in and out with the ramps flush and no approach ramps to drive up.

The approach ramps are not something I want to deal with every time I pull in the garage...making sure I'm perfectly centered, slipping the clutch, yadda yadda.

Easier to go up the ramps without slipping the clutch too much with the 3.9 gears. :biggrin

A mirror mounted in the front of the lift will aid in lining up the car to the ramps.

 

[Xcentric]

Great tip!

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[bonehead]

That's what she....ah, nevermind. My only useless contribution to this thread since I can't get a lift. Waaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

[Superfly]

That's what she....ah, nevermind. My only useless contribution to this thread since I can't get a lift. Waaaaaaaaaaaa.

So Ed, what you're saying is that you can't get it up?

Oh how this thread has been derailed. Haha.

 

[MTV8]

Doesn't look like you can park a car under that setup.

You may be able to take the ramps which are no longer needed for the lift and instead place them backwards inside the recessed area to drive down below the runways.

 

[Biginch Blake]

Just get some "Race Ramps" they are long and weigh 14# and will store under car across lift.

 

[MTV8]

I had a set of extended length Race Ramps custom made in two pieces. The shorter sections can stay in place on the lift while the longer sections store between the runways.

 

[Wwabbit]

I wouldn't do it. You lose the ability to store a car underneath and you create a tripping hazard around the lift.

+1 the list of reasons goes on forever,

get a pair of nice soft and easy to move Race Ramps and enjoy

 

[mmlcobra]

+1 the list of reasons goes on forever,

get a pair of nice soft and easy to move Race Ramps and enjoy

I use Race Ramps as well.
They work fine!