An 8 ft high ceiling may seem like a big limitation for a car lift. The key is to be open to considering different models and sizes that will accommodate a smaller sized space.
Unfortunately, the ceiling height for a 4 post car lift will not be able to fit inside an 8 foot high ceiling. 2 post car lift space requirements also typically require greater height than an 8 ft high ceiling.
An 8 foot high ceiling only gives you 96 inches of total lifting space. Realistically the total lifting space is slightly less than 96 inches because you want to give yourself a small gap of extra space before you hit the top of the ceiling.
Scissor Lifts for 8ft Ceiling
Scissor lifts can be a good option to consider for small ceilings. Many scissor lifts are portable and require much less space than the larger lifts. Some scissor lifts also have an open center design which allows you direct access to the undercarriage of the car.
As you consider different car lift options, make sure you think about how you plan to use the lift. If you only plan to do basic repair work, you might not need access to the center of the lift. If you will be doing extensive repair work, open center access might be important and worth paying a premium.
This article will highlight a few car lift options to consider that work well within a home garage or shop that only has an 8 foot high ceiling.
Portable Low Rise Scissor Lift LR06
This Atlas portable low rise lift offers 6,000 pounds of lifting capacity. The lift includes rubber pads on the lifting surface and four blocks to protect the lifting points on the vehicle.
The lift is designed for easy, drive up access over top of the lift. Walk out of the vehicle and press the button to raise the lift to your desired height. To lower the lift, just depress the dump valve lever and the lift will gradually move down to the next level lock position.
The lift has three locking position heights: 12.25 inches, 18.5 inches, and 22.25 inches. The unit includes a standard wheel kit which allows the unit to be moved to different areas inside the shop space.
Total lifting height is 24 inches (2 feet) without the blocks or 25.5 inches (2 feet 1.5 inches) with the lifting blocks. That means you have an extra 70.5 inches of lifting space available for a car, pickup truck, or SUV within the existing 8 foot height limitation.
This lift is designed with 110 volt power, which means that the existing wiring for most residential homes will work with the unit.
- Open Center Design: no
- Portable: yes
- Lifting Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Max Lift Height with Blocks: 25.5 inches (2 feet 1.5 inches).
- Max Lift Height without Blocks: 24 inches (2 feet).
- 8ft Ceiling Max Liftable Car Height: 70.5 inches.
- Locking Position Heights: 12.25 inches, 18.5 inches, and 22.25 inches.
- Total Length: 79.75 inches (6 feet 7.75 inches).
- Total Width: 70 inches (5 feet 10 inches).
- Electrical Requirements: 110 volt.
- Height when Fully Lowered: 4 inches.
- Shipping Weight: 965 pounds.
Open Center Low Rise Scissor Lift 6PL
If you need a low rise lift which allows direct access to the undercarriage for regular repair work, you should consider the Atlas 6PL low rise lift. Despite the small size, you still have 6,000 pounds of lifting capacity to use.
This lift provides a max lift height with blocks of 26 inches (2 feet 2 inches). With an 8 foot high ceiling, this gives you a full 70 inches of liftable car height to work with. Just be sure to measure the car height from the center of the car frame instead of the bottom of the wheels.
- Open Center Design: yes
- Portable: no
- Lifting Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Max Lift Height with Blocks: 26 inches (2 feet 2 inches).
- 8ft Ceiling Max Liftable Car Height: 70 inches.
- Total Length: 80.75 inches (6 feet 8.75 inches).
- Total Width: 71 inches (5 feet 11 inches).
- Electrical Requirements: 110 volt.
- Air Requirement: 90 to 125 PSI.
- Height when Fully Lowered: 4.5 inches.
- Shipping Weight: 850 pounds.
Kwik Bay Portable Mid-Rise Scissor Lift
The Kwik Bay lift is a great option for people looking for an open center car lift that will accommodate the limitations of an 8 foot high ceiling.
The lift is designed with an easy access drive up ramp. Just position the heavy duty rubber blocks under the correct lifting points and activate the lift.
This lift offers 7,000 pounds of lifting capacity and raises cars to a 41 inch (3 feet 5 inch) total lift height. An 8ft tall ceiling would allow for a lifted car with 55 inches of additional lift height. The platform lifts from the center of the car, so make sure you measure the vehicle height starting from the base of the frame instead of the bottom of the wheels.
Keep in mind that if too much weight is positioned near the edges of the platform, damage might occur to the car. If you plan to lift heavy vehicles with a narrow frame, you might want to consider purchasing the Scissor Lift Support Bar.
- Open Center Design: yes
- Portable: yes
- Lifting Capacity: 7,000 pounds.
- Max Lift Height: 41 inches (3 feet 5 inches).
- 8ft Ceiling Max Liftable Car Height: 55 inches.
- Total Length: 85.5 inches (7 feet 1.5 inches).
- Total Width: 72 inches (6 feet).
- Electrical Requirements: 110 volt and a 30 amp breaker.
- Air Requirement: 90 to 120 PSI.
- Shipping Weight: 1,441 pounds.
Portable Mid Rise Scissor Lift 6MR
The portable mid-rise lift is a good option when you prefer extra lift height but have low ceiling height constraints.
The lift includes dual power cylinders, a safety lock bar with multiple lock positions, and can be easily rolled to other areas around the work area.
This lift offers 6,000 pounds of lifting capacity. Maximum lifting height with adaptors is 53.5 inches (4 feet 5.5 inches). This means an 8 foot high ceiling offers an additional 42.5 inches of additional car height to be lifted.
Keep in mind the actual height of the vehicle being lifted is reduced by approximately half the tire height because the vehicle is lifted at the center point of the car frame. To measure the car lift height, start at the bottom of the rocker panels and measure to the highest point of the car.
If you are dealing with an 8 foot high ceiling, you want to make sure the lift height of the car does not exceed 42.5 inches.
- Open Center Design: no
- Portable: yes
- Lifting Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Max Lift Height with Adaptors: 53.5 inches (4 feet 5.5 inches).
- 8ft Ceiling Max Liftable Car Height: 42.5 inches.
- Total Length: 82 inches (6 feet 10 inches).
- Total Width: 39 inches (3 feet 3 inches).
- Electrical Requirements: 110 volt.
- Height when Fully Lowered: 5.75 inches.
- Shipping Weight: 1,050 pounds.
Read our article on How to Choose a Car Lift for more information.