Vehicle Lifts

2-post lifts grab the chassis at four factory lift points and pull the entire vehicle into the air with the wheels hanging free. Best for brakes, exhaust, suspension, tires, wheel work, and any service where the wheels need to come off. The standard pro-shop lift, and the better pick if servicing is your primary use.

4-post lifts are drive-on runways supported at four corners. The vehicle rolls onto the runways on its own wheels and stays planted on them. Best for vehicle storage, long-term project parking, oil changes, transmission service, and detailing. Easier DIY install (no concrete anchoring requirements as strict as 2-post). The pick if storage or doubling parking space is your primary use.

Many enthusiasts end up with both eventually: a 2-post for service and a 4-post for storage. Read our full comparison at 2-Post vs 4-Post: Which Should You Buy?

Match capacity to the heaviest vehicle you'll lift, with at least 15-20% safety margin. Quick rule of thumb:

9,000 lb: Sedans, small SUVs, compact pickups. The cheapest commonly stocked tier. 10,000-11,000 lb: Full-size SUVs, half-ton pickups (F-150/Silverado 1500), most modern crossovers. The sweet spot for home garages and most light-duty shops. 12,000-14,000 lb: 3/4-ton pickups (F-250, Silverado 2500), large SUVs (Suburban, Expedition), and heavy work vans. 15,000+ lb: 1-ton dually trucks (F-350/3500), shop trucks, RVs, and light commercial. 30,000-40,000 lb: Medium-duty commercial trucks, RVs, and box trucks.

Don't undersize. A 9K lift won't safely hold a modern F-150. They routinely curb at 5,000-5,500 lb with passengers and cargo.

For a full-rise 2-post or 4-post lift to reach max height, you generally need 11-12 ft of ceiling clearance. Standard homes have 8-9 ft ceilings, which is too short for full-rise lifts, but plenty for mid-rise scissor lifts and many low-ceiling 2-post lifts.

If your ceiling is under 10 ft, your good options are: mid-rise scissor lifts (full body access at ~36 in, fits under 8 ft ceilings), low-ceiling 2-post lifts (specifically designed for shorter bays, available in 9-10 ft minimum-ceiling versions), or 4-post storage lifts set to a lower lift height for parking-only use.

Measure ceiling height at the highest point the lift needs to reach. That's where the lifted vehicle's roof will be plus 6-12 in of safety margin. Call (470) 208-2754 if you're unsure.

Industry-standard minimum is 4 in of 3,000+ PSI concrete for residential 2-post and 4-post lifts up to 11,000 lb. For 12,000-15,000 lb commercial lifts, manufacturer specs typically require 6 in of 3,000+ PSI concrete. Heavier commercial truck lifts often require 6-8 in of higher-PSI rated concrete.

If your slab is unknown or older than ~10 years, do a core sample or a concrete-tester before installing. Most newer residential garages have 4 in slabs, which is usually adequate. Older homes or slabs poured over loose fill may be too thin. Adding a thicker concrete pad in the lift area is a one-day project for a concrete contractor if the existing slab is too thin.

The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) is the industry safety body. ALI ETL certified lifts have been tested by Intertek (ETL) to meet the ANSI/ALI ALCTV safety standard, the only third-party lift safety certification recognized by OSHA, insurance carriers, and most municipal codes for commercial use.

Required for: Commercial shops in most US states, insurance-policy compliance for service businesses, and any shop offering alignment work to retail customers. Optional for: Home garage use: most homeowners' insurance doesn't require ALI certification, though some carriers may give a discount for certified lifts.

If you're running a pro shop, buy ALI ETL. If you're a home enthusiast on a budget, non-certified lifts from reputable brands (AMGO, Triumph, Katool) are commonly used and meet equivalent capacity ratings.

4-post lifts are commonly DIY-installed by handy homeowners. The lift arrives knocked down on a pallet, the runways bolt to the posts, the cables route through the towers, and the hydraulic unit plugs in. Plan a full day with a helper.

2-post lifts require anchoring into concrete with chemical or wedge anchors, and the install is more involved. Many DIYers still tackle it, but renting a chain hoist or asking a friend with experience is wise. Concrete slab must be thick and uncracked. Plan a long weekend.

Heavier commercial lifts (alignment, 15K+, ALI-certified for shop use) should be professionally installed and inspected. Some manufacturers require this for warranty.

We offer installation in select metros. Call (470) 208-2754 for an install quote.

Most home-grade 2-post and 4-post lifts up to 9-11K capacity have 220V single-phase motors that run on the same circuit type as an electric dryer (NEMA 6-20 or 6-30 plug). Most newer garages have at least one 220V circuit available; if not, an electrician can run one in a day.

Heavier commercial lifts (15K+ capacity, ALI-certified shop lifts) often use 220V or 440V three-phase motors, which require commercial 3-phase service (typically only available in shop and industrial buildings, not residential).

Small portable scissor lifts and some entry-level mid-rise lifts run on 110V household power, though lifting speed will be slower than a 220V unit.

Most in-stock lifts ship within 2-5 business days from our warehouses in Georgia and select pickup locations. Freight transit time depends on distance. Usually 3-7 business days to the contiguous US. Total order-to-doorstep is typically 1-2 weeks.

Large alignment and commercial lifts may have longer lead times if the specific configuration ships from the manufacturer's central warehouse. We'll confirm at order time. Pickup is available at our Georgia warehouses for customers who want to grab their lift the same week.

Warranties vary by brand, generally split between the structural posts/frame and the wear components (hydraulics, motor, cables):

AMGO: 5 years structural, 2 years hydraulic, 1 year wear. Atlas: 2 years parts and labor on most Platinum lifts; some Pro Series carry 10-year structural. Triumph: 5 years structural, 1 year wear. Tuxedo: 2-5 years structural depending on model. Katool: 1-2 years parts on most models. All warranties are direct from manufacturer; Pitstop Pro handles claims as the authorized dealer.

Yes, we have two pickup/showroom locations in the southeast US where you can see select demo lifts in person. Call (470) 208-2754 to schedule a visit. We can also send detailed photos and video walkthroughs of any specific lift you're considering.

For larger purchases (commercial alignment lifts, heavy-duty truck lifts), we'll connect you directly with the manufacturer's regional rep for an in-person spec consult if needed.

Rough guide based on use case and budget:

Tightest budget, home garage: Katool: best dollar-per-pound capacity in the catalog. DIY home enthusiast, mid budget: Triumph: strong warranty for the price, mature designs. Pro shop, ALI required: AMGO or Atlas: both have full ALI ETL certified lineups. Specialty / heavy-duty truck: Tuxedo: full range up to 40,000 lb.

Use our Lift Finder for a customized recommendation or call (470) 208-2754 for a 5-minute brand consultation.

Yes. Pitstop Pro offers 0% APR financing through Affirm and Klarna on most lift purchases over $1,000. Approval is decided in seconds at checkout. Terms typically run 6-24 months with no prepayment penalty.

For commercial customers, we also offer leasing through Crest Capital, useful if you'd rather expense the lift than capitalize it. See full financing details or call (470) 208-2754 for a financing quote.