Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I would like to purchase a lift for my S2. I would like to get a two post lift but am concerned about whether the elan can be safely lifted using the two post.

What are your experiences with lifts
2 post or 4?
Manufacturers?


Thanks
Robb

Robb

You could consider the Kwiklift. Affordable and practical.
http://www.kwiklift.com

I find it easy to work under the Elan with this product.
Rgds,
Phil

There is an article in the latest Hagerty, for those of you insured with Hagerty, on different lifes. Also includes a list of manufacturers.

Rob

Or 1 post

http://www.maywoodgroup.co.uk/Vehicleli ... .aspx?ID=6

"There is an article in the latest Hagerty, for those of you insured with Hagerty, on different lifes. Also includes a list of manufacturers."

I do not insure through them and unfortunately the website does not have that volume of the magazine on it.

Do they mention Bend Pak? Eagle or Backyard Buddy? I think the last one does not sell 2 post.

Thanks

Robb

Hi
I have a sprint and a 4 post electro hydraulic which I converted from 3 to 1 phase (need to change the pump internals as well as the motor in the conversion).
It's no good for a body lift (unless you have the space to insert forks at the cill corners from a set height and lower the car onto them) but it's great for everything else.
Hope this helps
Gavin

I store my Elan on a four poster due to lack of room in the garage. With the four poster, the car is sitting at the normal, unladen, ride height and puts minimal strain on suspension components. If storing for an extended time on a two poster (4 point body lift), you will have the suspension at it's full deflection and will be puting undue strain on all the rubber components, not to mention the chassis and all the heavy bits hanging off the body bolts.
Colin.

I have just purchased and assembled, in the last two weeks, a new four post lift from www.Gregsmithequipment.com. So far it's all looking good. I didn't want to leave the suspension hanging on a two post lift because mine is used for storage as well as working on the car. Although it is of Chinese origin it is made in an ISO approved facility, owned by the Dover Elevator comapny. I compared the quality against other lifts before buying over a period of 9 months. You can pay two/three times as much for a USA made lift but you do not get two/three times the quality. I would like to have bought USA but I can justify $1600 but not $4000 ish.
Disclaimer: I have no connection with Greg Smith Equipment, just wanted a good lift at a reasonable price. Feel free to e-mail if you would like more info.
Ray

Just had a single post installed. Fantastic. Good for 7000 pounds, so can probably handle the Elan

If the floor in your garage is of proper construction, one post gives way more "room" in the shop. Downside is cost relative to a four post. Either way, I'd do a one or four post long before I did a 2 post!

Cheers,
BT

Thanks everyone.

I will need to stay away from the 1 post becuase I will also need to lift an SV and 7K lbs is cutting it closer than I prefer from a safety standpoint.

I also have a way to store the vehicle for extended periods without needing to lift it. I have some car skates so I can actually store it in front of our other two cars.

I am still at a loss to figure out how to do work on the wheels using he 4 post. That is the only thing pointing to the two post.

Robb

A bit pricey, but... http://eagleequip.com/Merchant2/merchan ... t_Count=24

I have just installed a MaxJax. This is a "low-rise" two-post lift intended for home garages with low ceilings. My intended use for it is servicing and not storage, so it would be ideal if not for the elan's backbone frame. As I stated in the other thread on 2-post lifts, I am not sure I will have the courage to lift the Elan on it.

Andy

Rob

I am still at a loss to figure out how to do work on the wheels using he 4 post. That is the only thing pointing to the two post.

I have a four post lift from Holland and it is really very good.Working on wheels and suspension and so on is just the same as if the car was on the ground. Jacks and axle stands all fit on the lift and the sliding cross bars.

D

I got a four post Greg Smith Lift with the optional hydraulic sliding jack for lifting the car to do tracking etc in 2009. It's great, I should have got it years ago and it was $2,300 including the options collected from GA so no taxes. It took a weekend to collect from Atlanta back to TN and assemble it. I estimate I finished the restoration of my Mk1 type 28, three months sooner due to the lift.
When I started the S3 restoration I made up a frame to fit the lift for lifting the body on & off for the dry build, but the shell was so light without the boot, bonnet & doors my wife and daughter helping was quicker.
If your starting to feel your age getting up & down during a restoration you need to get one, I guess its given me another 20 useful restoration years.
I have no connection to Greg Smith, I did a review of the various vendors and they were the most convienient/competitive for out of state collection, the guys in Atlanta were very helpful with advice but you will need a strong mate to help the assembly but its very easy and was perfect out of the box.

I have a 4 post lift in my garage, but my Elan was disassembled at a commercial garage on a two post, which is used for everything from a Sprite to a Jag X. If you have a proper floor, or are willing to add a footing, the 2 post is probably OK. I chose the 4 post because I have the option of installing it fixed, or buying a kit which, adds extra heavy casters, allowing relocation of the lift if I wish.
The lift I have is a Superlifts.com SR-7H, which is U.S. made. They also make a 2 post, and single post system.