I posted on the Bluefalme exhaust topic showing pics of my brother’s ramp I used to fit my exhaust and have had some people querying the ramp and the install. The ramp has a 3 ton weight limit and is single or 3 phase electric. It can be let into the floor or can stand on your existing one being about 100ml proud. They do a cage that fits round it so you can drive on/over it if it is fitted proud of the floor.

The price of his was about £3,000 installed by the suppliers. Not cheap but comparable to a good large plasma TV as a comparison. In my eyes it is far better than a 2 or 4 post lift in a private garage as it takes up no room. Just depends on the weight and needs of car you are likely to be working on. It has rubber blocks that fit under the car which is ideal on the S2000 as they have gap in the middle of each block that fits perfectly on the jacking points on the sills of the car.

Also some pics of his garage roof as without the headroom it won't work! Trust me if you are ever going to build your own garage and have the money to buy a ramp it is an absolute godsend to work on a car. All the wheels are free to work on as they are suspended unlike on drive on ramps and as I say they take up no room. If you are handy with a spanner and like tinkering adapting or restoring cars they are worth every penny.








Once the lift gets to about a foot from the floor you have to press the button on the left to complete the descent as a safety aspect with a warning buzzer sounding as it goes flat quite a good feature. Lots of makes available if you do a search on the net.



This is how he built his roof to take the lift. The other side of the garage has normal roof trusses which he uses for storage and just stands on the ramp for easy access up and down.

 

Kev, thanks for the info.

I have a small isue in that my ridge runs front to back unlike the above.
Its also already built. The modification to the trusses will need some thinking about in my case.
I'm not a builder either so not sure what can be done - I was thinking of removing section at a time and fitting metalwork.
However, where do I stand with building regs, would it need inspecting?
Its a 3yr old house and I have to bear in mind any future resale issues.
£3k is a good price for the hardware though

Steve.

 

Car lift prices have tumbled recently with the number of garages that have closed. There is loads of second hand stuff on the market and that has brought new prices down too.

£3k for a lift is more than you need to pay at the moment and that install needs floor work for the ramps to descend into.

if you look on ebay there are 2 post lifts that don't need floor work starting for about £500 for a 3 phase second hand unit (and you can buy an inverter to make them work off single phase). You can buy new for about £1500 in single phase plus installation.

Your brother's install looks like a nice lift though Barefoot. No posts sticking up when the lift is not in use and i'd love to have one in my garage.

But then i don't currently have a garage

 

Just starting to plan my garage and this looks ideal, was thinking of a pit but they are smelly and fill with oil. I will ahve the same problem with the roof trusses but mine not build yet so can get it designed in. any links to the one on ebay?

I sell inverters, give me a shout if anyone needs one.

Dox

 

Wish I had a garage, let alone a lift! Must be lovely to work on.

 

Although not as functional (to a certain extent) there are these systems available that are signicantly cheaper. I know a guy who had one and said it was great for most stuff.

http://www.levo-artis.com/products-specs-prices.html

See the picture of the lotus elise, that looks the most functional.

Made in UK too.

 

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=...2+post+car+lift

or just go to ebay and do a search on 2 post car lift. There are 100's on there for sale.

 

I like these for "normal" garages

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/

 

Nice Hayter that....top mower. My dad has been singing its praises fro the past few summers....

Nice ramp too....although no sign of golf clubs in that garage?!?! every self respecting garage should have a set of clubs collecting dust...even if just the winter hacks?

Mine is keeping warm under the stairs....(lack of garage).

Of interest, was the roof designed by an engineer? the trussed rafters clearly weapon of choice under normal circumstances....i like the small cut roof tho...very inventive!

I take you have even passed the snow loading tests recently!

 

I can't help wonder - would I trust a second hand lift for £500? Is there a way they can be certified / safety checked?

I'm fortunate enough to have 3-phase at home and somewhere I could put a lift if I wanted but have never gone further than wondering.