Purchasing a 2 post car lift is a major investment. Making sure you fully understand the space requirements in your garage or shop is a critical first step in the decision process.
This article will highlight the dimensions and the space requirements for a few of the most popular 2 post car lifts. We will include a few options for home users as well as professional users.
Space Requirement for Smaller Car Lifts
We will provide a few different lift sizes so you can get a sense of how the space requirements vary between lift sizes and design types.
BP8000 2 Post Car Lift
The BP8000 Lift is a 2 post lift that offers 8,000 pounds of lifting capacity in a baseplate design. This is a smaller sized lift that can be used in a home garage or a professional shop.
The BP8000 lift has the following dimensions:
- Total column height: 108 inches or 9 feet.
- Max Lift Height with adapters: 87.75 inches or 7 feet 3.75 inches.
- Minimum Ceiling Height with 60 inch car: 147.75 inches or 12 feet 3.75 inches.
- Overall floor width: 132 inches or 11 feet.
- Standard size car length: 196 inches or 16 feet 4 inches.
- Pickup truck length: 266 inches or 22 feet 2 inches.
To estimate the length necessary for a 2 post car lift, you need to consider the lengths of the types of cars you will be using. We estimate that a standard 4 door car has a length of 196 inches and a pickup truck as a length of 266 inches.
Based on these dimensions, we recommend the following space requirements for the BP8000 2 post baseplate lift:
- Minimum Ceiling height of 12 to 13 feet.
- Minimum Car lift width of 12 feet.
- Minimum Car lift length of 24 feet.
- Minimum concrete thickness of 4 inches.
You always want to give yourself extra space when estimating space requirements for a 2 post car lift. As a starting point we recommend having bay space of at least 12 feet wide and 24 feet long. This will give you some flexibility around your car lift.
- Read more about ceiling height for 2 post car lifts.
You can also read about car lifts for an 8 foot ceiling if you know you have a specific ceiling height limitation.
9KOHX 9000 Overhead 2 Post Lift
The 9KOHX Overhead Lift offers 9,000 pounds of lifting capacity with an overhead design. The overhead design means that your ceiling height requirements match the highest point of the 2 post columns. This is a good lift for a home garage or a small shop.
The 9KOHX Overhead Lift has the following dimensions:
- Total 2 post column height: 142 inches or 11 feet 10 inches.
- Overall floor width: 134 inches or 11 feet 2.5 inches.
- Standard size car length: 196 inches or 16 feet 4 inches.
- Pickup truck length: 266 inches or 22 feet 2 inches.
Based on these dimensions, we recommend the following space requirements for the 9KOHX Overhead Lift:
- Minimum Ceiling height of 12 feet.
- Minimum Car lift width of 12 feet.
- Minimum Car lift length of 24 feet.
- Minimum concrete thickness of 4 inches.
For more information about foundation requirements, see concrete thickness for car lift.
Space Requirements for Commercial 2 Post Car Lifts
Platinum PVL10 Overhead Lift
This Platinum lift is ALI Certified and offers lift capacity of up to 10,000 pounds. This lift is designed for professional users that will be using this lift in a professional shop or garage.
The PVL10 has the following dimensions:
- Total 2 post column height: 148 inches or 12 feet 4 inches.
- Overall floor width: 139 inches or 11 feet 7 inches.
- Standard size car length: 196 inches or 16 feet 4 inches.
- Pickup truck length: 266 inches or 22 feet 2 inches.
Based on these dimensions, we recommend the following space requirements for the 9KOHX Overhead Lift:
- Minimum Ceiling height of 13 feet.
- Minimum Car lift width of 12 feet.
- Minimum Car lift length of 24 feet to 36 feet
- Minimum concrete thickness of 4 inches.
Platinum PVL9BP Baseplate Lift
The Platinum PVL9BP is ALI certified and offers 9,000 pounds of lifting capacity. This lift is designed for professional users. The baseplate design also offers higher lift heights because the connecting beam is located on the bottom instead of the top of the lift.
The PVL9BP has the following dimensions:
- Total column height: 111.125 inches or 9 feet 3.125 inches.
- Max Lift Height with adapters: 83.75 inches or 7 feet 11.75 inches.
- Minimum Ceiling Height with 60 inch car: 143.75 inches or 11 feet 11.75 inches.
- Overall floor width: 138.625 inches or 11 feet 6.625 inches.
- Standard size car length: 196 inches or 16 feet 4 inches.
- Pickup truck length: 266 inches or 22 feet 2 inches.
Based on these dimensions, we recommend the following space requirements for the PVL9BP Baseplate Lift:
- Minimum Ceiling height of 12 to 13 feet.
- Minimum Car lift width of 12 feet.
- Minimum Car lift length of 24 feet to 36 feet
- Minimum concrete thickness of 6 inches.
General Space Considerations
As you can see from the following examples, space requirements for smaller 2 post car lifts start around 12 feet of width and 24 feet of length.
As you increase to higher capacity commercial style 2 post lifts, your space requirements gradually increase. The length will increase from 24 feet to 36 feet. The recommend width may also increase from 12 feet to 16 feet.
The primary determination will be the types of cars you plan to use with the lift. Standard four door passenger cars typically only have lengths in the 16 to 17 feet range. However, it you plan to lift pickup trucks and other commercial vehicles, the required length can quickly increase to 24 to 36 feet in length.
For additional information, see our full car lift guide.