Two-post lift or Four-post lift for S4 Elan?

[661]

PPS, I re-welded the pump and reservoir to the front of the post ( rather than the side) to enhace access in the space I had available.

[andyj007]

excellent thanks,, i was going to fit myself. plenty of help available , hoping its stright forward enough will allow a day do you think? got a pic of that mod,, im a bit liited on space currently living in my garage complex whilst we build a house!

[661]

[andyj007]

Thats excellent... thank you will do the same on mine..

Wow, awesome colour combo on the GTS.. amazing !!

[Andy8421]

FWIW, just bought one of these:

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-230nsp-3-0t-capacity-short-narrow-2-post-lift/

[elanman999]

excellent thanks,, i was going to fit myself. plenty of help available , hoping its stright forward enough will allow a day do you think? got a pic of that mod,, im a bit liited on space currently living in my garage complex whilst we build a house!

I've had a similar one for about 10 years now, it's a great piece of kit. The only really heavy part is the runway with the cylinder in. If you or your mates have any car wheel dollies they are handy for moving the parts around on.
As my floor is not level I made jacking bolts to get all the corner posts at the same height so that the runways are level when they are on the safety stops, good for setting up the car!
Cheers
John

[Seamus]

I bought the lift initially to store the 7

I used a guy that was recommended by Automotech to deliver and install mine. He also does a bi-annual service for me. I can't think of his name right now but I have him in my phone as "Ramp man" 07908 695180 he is worth calling for a quote. He did a good job for me and it is still good after 4 years.

[Andy8421]

FWIW, just bought one of these:

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-230nsp-3-0t-capacity-short-narrow-2-post-lift/

It arrived on Friday, and I am very impressed. Well made, extremely heavy, and it looks good for purpose. Even the 'disposable' angle iron brackets that the lift is bolted to for shipping had better welds than some finished products I have recently bought.

The Palletways driver managed to damage the hydraulic power unit unloading the van - Automotech offered to exchange the unit without any problems and sent a courier next day. Their service so far has been excellent.

[TonyWalker]

Hi everyone.
Great to see all the useful advice and information. I am revisiting this post because I am closer to a decision, which I think is for a 2 post, but without underneath parking. I have concluded that a 2 post will provide the best option for working on the car.
But I am not sure about dimensions given my garage width, which is 2850mm. I think it will be okay for the Elan with the MaxJax or similar - MaxJax specify 105 inches (2667mm) as the minimum recommended width to the outside posts for small cars. Does anyone have one of these 'moveable' 2 post lifts to help me figure out the approximate dimensions required and whether for the outside width of 2850 the arms will have sufficient space to sit under the Elan in the correct positions (behind and in front or front and rear wheels, respectively). Apologies if this is a difficult question.
Many thanks
Tony

[MalcM]

Edit: Having re read your post, I guess your question is whether there are consequences of supporting the car for long periods of time. My thoughts were it was OK if you have CVs not doughnuts, and if you slackened off the rubber suspension fittings so the metal 'inner' could swivel. I believe a 2 post lift can reach under the car to pick up the frame rather than the body at the front, but at the back the car would need to be supported on the corner of the sill.

Bit late to the party but just wanted to add a 2 post should be able to be chassis mounted front and rear. I am on the backbone beside the exhaust manifold at the front, then just aft of the bobbins at the rear with the pad on the backbone next to the wishbone mounts.

Not sure if the chassis being a Spyder makes any difference, I don’t think the standard chassis has the plates at the back.

It hasn’t ever caused me concern but it is a touch wobbly with all the lift points so far inboard. I wouldn’t go under it if I didn’t believe it was safe but other people’s experiences/views may vary.

[Seamus]

I use the rear jacking point rather than the chassis, far more stable and it works fine for me ..............

[TonyWalker]

I forgot to write the outcome of my original post......
In the end I went for a four poster and a jacking beam.
Bought it from Garage Equipment Online in Liverpool. It was the four post short version of the parking lift. I am really happy with it and so pleased I can finally work on cars more easily.
Oh..... I bought another Elan to sit underneath... ; you can imagine what the misses thinks....