Alignment Lifts

An alignment lift is a 4-post lift (or scissor lift) with specific geometry for wheel-alignment service. The key differences:

Turn-plate cutouts at the front: Recesses in the front of each runway hold turn-plates that let the steering wheels rotate freely under load. Without these, you can't measure caster.

Slip-plate recesses at the rear: Allow the rear wheels to move slightly when the vehicle is set on the lift, so the suspension settles into its loaded position. Without slip-plates, toe and camber readings are off.

Wider, longer runways: Built for trucks and full-size vehicles. Standard 4-post lifts clip bumpers or leave rear ends overhanging.

Rolling jack ready: Wider runway spacing accommodates a rolling bridge jack so you can lift wheels for tire and brake service while the vehicle stays in alignment position.

You cannot perform a real wheel alignment on a standard 4-post lift. If your shop offers alignment service, you need an alignment lift.

4-post alignment lifts are the category default. Drive-on rack with four vertical posts, wider stance, lower price-per-capacity, and easier DIY install. Best for most pro alignment shops with 11+ ft ceilings.

Scissor alignment lifts use a full-rise scissor mechanism with no overhead structure. Higher price per capacity, but they fit in 9-10 ft ceiling bays where a 4-post won't, and flush-mount options sit into the floor for ground-level approach. Best for body shops, quick-service centers with low ceilings, and premium pro shops where the clean flush install matters.

If your bay has tall ceilings: start with 4-post. If your bay has low ceilings or you want flush-mount: scissor.

Yes — almost certainly. ALI ETL certified lifts have been third-party tested by Intertek to meet the ANSI/ALI ALCTV safety standard. For commercial alignment service, ALI ETL is typically required by:

State and municipal codes: Most US states require ALI ETL for commercial vehicle lift use.

Commercial insurance: Insurance carriers almost universally require ALI ETL on commercial alignment lifts. Non-certified lifts may void coverage in the event of an accident or injury claim.

Manufacturer alignment systems: Many alignment-system manufacturers (Hunter, John Bean) require ALI-certified lifts for warranty.

For home or hobbyist alignment work, ALI certification is optional. For any shop charging customers for alignment service, buy ALI ETL. Atlas and AMGO have multiple ALI ETL alignment lifts in our catalog.

Match capacity to the heaviest vehicle you'll align, plus 15-20% margin. Quick guide:

12,000 lb: Sedans, SUVs, half-ton pickups (F-150, Silverado 1500), light-duty work vans. The minimum for a modern pro shop.

14,000-15,000 lb: 3/4-ton pickups (F-250, Silverado 2500), large SUVs (Suburban, Expedition), full-size work vans. The pro-shop sweet spot.

16,000-18,000 lb: 1-ton dually trucks (F-350, Silverado 3500), RVs, shop service trucks. Required if your shop aligns heavy work trucks daily.

If you're a new shop offering alignment service to passenger vehicles and light trucks: 12K is enough. If you're aligning trucks daily: don't undersize, go 14K minimum.

Varies by model. Katool KT-4H120X and KT-4H150 include the rolling jack standard. AMGO PRO series alignment lifts (PRO-12A, PRO-14A, PRO-18A) typically offer the rolling jack as an optional add-on at order time. Atlas PVL14OF-EXT sells the rolling jack separately. Check each product page for the specific bundle.

If your alignment lift doesn't include a rolling jack, you can add one from our Rolling Bridge Jacks collection. Most pro shops eventually want a jack so they can lift wheels for tire rotation, brake service, and suspension work without rolling the vehicle off the alignment rack.

Most alignment lifts have turn-plate cutouts in the runways but the turn-plates themselves are typically sold separately or as an add-on. Standard 8.5 in or 10 in turn-plates fit most alignment lift cutouts. We carry Katool turn-plates and AMGO turn-plates; both start around $149-$190 per pair.

Some premium alignment lift packages bundle turn-plates with the lift. Check the product page for the specific configuration.

4-post alignment lifts typically need 11-12 ft of ceiling for full-rise operation with a full-size truck on the rack. Scissor alignment lifts need 9-10 ft, which is the main reason to choose scissor.

For a 4-post alignment rack in a 10-11 ft ceiling bay, you can usually operate at less-than-full lift height for alignment work without issue — most alignment service doesn't require maximum lift height, just enough to fit underneath comfortably with the alignment camera or laser system.

Alignment lifts require 4-6 in of 3,000+ PSI concrete depending on capacity. 12K-14K alignment lifts typically need 4-5 in. 15K-18K alignment lifts often spec 6 in of higher-PSI concrete.

Critically, alignment lifts require a level slab — the runway-to-runway level affects alignment accuracy. Most manufacturers specify level within 1/4 in across the install footprint. If your slab is uneven, plan for shimming during installation. Some shops grind the slab flat for premium alignment installations.

Yes for 4-post alignment lifts, especially with one helper and a long weekend. Same install approach as a standard 4-post lift, but the runways are heavier and longer so a forklift or engine hoist is helpful. Plan extra time for level-checking and shimming since alignment accuracy depends on a level rack.

Scissor alignment lifts that are flush-mounted require concrete excavation and pour-in installation — these should be professionally installed.

For pro shops, we strongly recommend professional installation on any alignment lift to ensure level accuracy and meet ALI ETL warranty requirements. Call (470) 208-2754 for install quotes.

A properly installed and maintained alignment lift will last 15-25+ years in pro shop daily-use. Wear items: hydraulic cylinder seals (5-10 years), safety cables (10-15 years), turn-plate bearings and slip-plate surfaces (5-10 years with high use), and hydraulic fluid (annually).

Annual ALI inspection is recommended (and required for commercial use in most states). Annual hydraulic fluid change, turn-plate cleaning, and slip-plate inspection is the minimum maintenance to hit those lifespan numbers in heavy daily use.

Yes. The alignment lift holds the vehicle in the correct position for alignment readings, but you need a separate wheel alignment machine (camera, laser, or sensor-based) to measure camber, caster, toe, and other angles. Common alignment machines are made by Hunter, John Bean, Bosch, Katool, and Snap-On.

Pitstop Pro carries Katool wheel alignment machines compatible with 2-post and scissor lifts, starting at $4,999. Most shops buy the lift and alignment machine together — they're a system.

Warranties vary by brand. AMGO PRO series: 5 years structural, 2 years hydraulic, 1 year wear. Atlas Platinum: 2 years parts and labor; some Pro Series carry 10-year structural. Katool: 1-2 years parts on most alignment models.

All warranties are direct from manufacturer. Pitstop Pro handles claims as the authorized dealer.

Most in-stock alignment lifts ship within 2-5 business days from our Georgia warehouses or one of 42 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 or specialty alignment lift configurations (extended platforms, premium ALI ETL, scissor alignment) sometimes ship direct from the manufacturer's central warehouse with longer lead times — we confirm at order time.