2-post lift

[Mini1275]

What 2-post lift works best for a classic mini. Looking for recommendations for how the arms reach and fit under, specifically can they lift from the subframes and not the floorboards!
Thanks,
Mini850

[Polarsilver]

My concern re 2Post was as you suggest .. so for me the 4 Post lift ( 240v) the best present i ever got for myself.

[trevorhp]

I use a 2 post lift all the time on the floor square lifting points (I'm sure they have a technical term)as they are well distributed and at strong points on the corners of the floor.
Leaves all the wheels wheels etc, free
Never had a problem.
But wouldn't advise removing the rear subframe with the engine still in place...could possibly tip slightly forward I guess, but you could lash the rear legs to the lift point easily if needed.
T

[Peter Laidler]

I considered the two and four post options but being static and fixed made useable ground space a major concern. Height wasn't a problem.

After due consideration I built a pit instead. Does everything I ever needed and just so versatile. One car lives over the pit when not in use. Pit boards made from a couple of old strong-as-an-ox scaffold boards and you'd barely know its there. And the useable ground space remains, unaffected.

Cost me a days use of a small Kubota digger and driver, large polythene liner/diaphragm, concrete base, concrete blocks and brickie for a morning and that's about it

[gs.davies]

I considered the two and four post options but being static and fixed made useable ground space a major concern. Height wasn't a problem.

After due consideration I built a pit instead. Does everything I ever needed and just so versatile. One car lives over the pit when not in use. Pit boards made from a couple of old strong-as-an-ox scaffold boards and you'd barely know its there. And the useable ground space remains, unaffected.

Cost me a days use of a small Kubota digger and driver, large polythene liner/diaphragm, concrete base, concrete blocks and brickie for a morning and that's about it

Did you build that inside a garage that was already standing?

Do you have any problems with moisture in the pit? How deep did you make it?

[Peter Laidler]

5'6 deep and built in the existing high roof double garage. 2" thick concrete on blocks and beams and easy to remove. Moisture..... While digging it was pretty dry and below the local water table. I used the virgin soil to level my garden. Once it was dug, ground water did seep in to about 2" or so after a local few days of monsoon weather. I waited until the ground water had soaked away I lined floor and sides with a FGBig sheet of poly sheet from Sydenhams and Oxford Concrete worked out what I needed and when a part load lorry was passing - at short notice, he tipped in what I needed - then jumped in and levelled it! Bit of cash and a bunch of flowers for his wife and that was it. Dry as a witches underpants now.

I did dig it about a foot wider at the sides, front and rear so lots of room and pegged the flexible poly liner/diaphragm to the top sides of the 'trench' so there is a 5" or so gap between the conblock walls and the liner and earth. Use a small cheapo set of steps to enter and exit.

Fuzed power, lights and fire extinguisher. It's a second home

[mab01uk]

Make sure everyone is aware of the dangers whenever a garage pit is uncovered. This video of a fall into a garage pit during an MOT test in London was in the news last week and thankfully the women who fell down the pit was apparently only bruised but it could have caused her serious injuries.
Moment woman disappears into vehicle inspection pit - while looking at her car following MOT:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIbxZrZkC04

[hanlminiman]

I didn't think owners were allowed to enter the MOT area and distract the testers ?

[GraemeC]

I use a scissor type lift and using gym mats cut to size it lifts under the floor pans as a large distributed load.
If I was to buy another it would be the same but with the extendable platforms that would the lift by the wheels like a 4 poster.
Sunk into the floor so as to be level I can’t see a better solution.

[mab01uk]

I didn't think owners were allowed to enter the MOT area and distract the testers ?

My local MOT test garage has a customer viewing area next to the MOT ramp but you are supposed to stay behind a barrier at all times.

[1071 S]

I have mates who have 2 and 4 post hoists. I've had my Mini on both and ..IMHO... the 2 post is far more convenient and effective.

Even though the 4 post has fittings to lift the end(s) of the car off the suspension, the longitudinal runners get in the way if you're working on the suspension, brakes etc. The 2 posts gives full access to the underside.... Similarly, a pit only allows partial access.

I am careful not to use the "square lifting pads" as hard points. I would think they were probably used to fix the floor to a jig during assembly. Pretty much every Mini I've ever seen has these brackets deformed in some way along with the floor they're attached to To lift the car I place the pads on the ends of the arms on the extremes ends of the floor under the vertical panels comprising the rear of the wheel arch or the vertical panel that the rear subframe attaches to.

When removing the rear subframe one could lift the whole car to loosen the relevant bolts then drop the car onto the floor, remove the bolts and just lift the rear end (leaving the front wheels on the ground) until the subframe can be slid free.

Cheers, Ian

[larrysimon]

I bought one of these during Covid, its top notch and is so versatile for home use, got it in my home garage (4 car size) and is moveable. It works on 240v single phase and requires a C or D type circuit breaker in your fuse box.

Its well worth the money and if bought brand new is a good deal, I had the chance of both 2 and 4 post ramps second hand and didn't want to take the risk with them.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274449955402

https://www.strongmanlifts.co.uk/?gad_s ... CIQAvD_BwE

[Exminiman]

The four post lifts are probably better if you are looking to park cars on it for long periods, leaving the space underneath for another car….

[Mini1275]

Plan on using to work on classic minis and other vehicles, not for extra storage. Worried about the arms reaching underneath, and clearing the rocker panels, and hopefully can reach to place under the subframe mounts (so as not to bend up the floors and seams).

[Nick W]

I've used single post lifts for the last 25 years, they suit a small shop and are great for a lot of jobs , and safe as far as I'm concerned, where as two post lifts have a poor safety record in that if one leg is not locked in for some reason they can slip out allowing the car to drop with serious consequences for anyone underneath. Single post always has the main bed of the lift there to stop the car falling.
Obviously single posts are no good for clutches etc..