US Dollars
Which Car Lift Do I Need?
Answer up to 4 quick questions and we'll recommend the right lift for your shop. Need a specific vehicle's curb weight? Check the vehicle weight database. Prefer to browse? See the full decision tree below.
Lift Selection Wizard
Full Decision Tree (Browse Every Path)
Expand any branch to see the full reasoning. Every recommendation links to the relevant lift category at BBAE.
1. What's your primary use case?
A) Service work
Service work splits into four categories: light service, heavy (wheel-off) service, wheel alignment, or specialty applications.
A-Light) Light service — oil changes, mechanical repairs (wheels on)
For light service that doesn't require removing wheels, both 2-post and 4-post lifts work. 2-post for occasional wheel-off flexibility; 4-post for drive-on simplicity.
Vehicle class: Cars & light SUVs
Sedans, compact SUVs, hatchbacks. Select your ceiling height to see the recommended lift.
Ceiling: Over 12 ft
Shop 9k–10k 2-post lifts → | Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts →
Ceiling: 10–12 ft
Shop 9k–10k 2-post lifts → | Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts →
Ceiling: Under 10 ft
Shop specialty lifts → | Shop MaxJax 2-posts → | Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts →
Vehicle class: Full-size SUVs, ½-ton trucks, 1-ton diesel dually (no toolbox)
Full-size SUVs, ½-ton pickups, 1-ton diesel duallies without bed-mounted toolboxes. 10,000 lb capacity is standard; 9,000 lb is acceptable for non-diesel pickups.
Ceiling: Over 12 ft
Shop 10k–11k 2-post lifts → | Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts →
Ceiling: 10–12 ft
Shop 10k–11k 2-post lifts → | Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts →
Ceiling: Under 10 ft
Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts →
Vehicle class: Utility vehicles (trucks with toolboxes, work trucks, heavy commercial)
Heavier work trucks, trucks with bed-mounted toolboxes, fleet vehicles, sprinter vans, dually trucks. Both heavy-duty 2-post and heavy-duty 4-post reach the capacities required.
Shop heavy-duty 2-post lifts → | Shop heavy-duty 4-post lifts →
A-Heavy) Heavy service — brakes, suspension, anything wheel-off
When the wheels need to come off, you need either a 2-post lift (wheel-off by design — the arms lift by the frame) or a 4-post lift equipped with rolling jacks / bridge jacks that lift the wheels off the platforms.
Vehicle class: Cars & light SUVs
Select your ceiling height to see the recommended lift.
Ceiling: Over 12 ft
Shop 9k–10k 2-post lifts → | Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Ceiling: 10–12 ft
Shop 9k–10k 2-post lifts → | Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Ceiling: Under 10 ft
Shop 8k–10k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Vehicle class: Full-size SUVs, ½-ton trucks, 1-ton diesel dually (no toolbox)
Select your ceiling height to see the recommended lift.
Ceiling: Over 12 ft
Shop 10k–11k 2-post lifts → | Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Ceiling: 10–12 ft
Shop 10k–11k 2-post lifts → | Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Ceiling: Under 10 ft
Shop 10k–11k 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
Vehicle class: Utility vehicles (trucks with toolboxes, work trucks, heavy commercial)
Shop heavy-duty 2-post lifts → | Shop heavy-duty 4-post lifts → | Shop rolling jacks →
A-Alignment) Wheel alignment work
Alignment lifts have rear turn plates and slip plates pre-built into the runways for measuring caster, camber, and toe.
Shop alignment lifts →
A-Specialty) Specialty — motorcycles, ATVs, lawn equipment, tires only
Specialty lifts are designed for narrow or non-standard items.
Shop motorcycle lifts →
B) Vehicle storage
B1) Stacking — two cars in one bay
Parking lifts let an upper vehicle live above, with the lower vehicle driving in and out beneath.
Shop parking lifts →
B2) Single-vehicle long-term storage
Keeps tires and suspension components from fatiguing during long storage periods.
Shop 4-post storage lifts →
Looking up a specific vehicle's weight? Use our vehicle weight database covering 700+ makes and models from 2015–2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
2-post vs 4-post — which is better for me?
2-post lifts give wheel-off access by design — the arms support the vehicle by the frame, leaving the wheels suspended. They're the standard for brake, suspension, and any wheel-off mechanical work. 4-post lifts are drive-on and easier for newcomers, ideal for oil changes, mechanical repairs, and vehicle storage. To do wheel-off work on a 4-post, add a rolling jack tray.
What ceiling height do I need for a 2-post car lift?
Overhead 2-post lifts need 12 ft of ceiling clearance. If your shop is between 10 and 12 ft, look at floor-plate 2-post lifts (10 ft minimum, hydraulic line runs across the floor between columns instead of over the top). With under 10 ft, switch to specialty lifts (scissor lifts, single-column lifts, or MaxJax 2-posts) or a 4-post drive-on lift.
Can a heavy-duty 2-post lift handle small cars too?
It can, but with caveats. 12,000 lb+ 2-post lifts have thicker arms; on smaller cars with low ride height, the arm thickness relative to the pinch-weld height can create stability concerns. Rubber riser pads are often required for safety. If you primarily service light vehicles, a 9,000–10,000 lb 2-post is a better fit.
What's the ceiling height needed for a stacked parking lift?
For most single four-post parking lifts, plan for the top vehicle's height plus the bottom vehicle's height plus 12 inches of clearance. For example, a 60-inch sedan stored above a 56-inch sportscar needs at least 128 inches (~10.7 ft) of ceiling. Single-column, twin-post, and double-wide parking lifts may have different clearance requirements — check the spec sheet or call us to verify.
Can I do brake work on a 4-post lift?
Yes — but you need a rolling jack tray (also called a bridge jack) that fits across the 4-post's runways and lifts the wheels off the platforms. Without rolling jacks, the wheels stay loaded on the runways and brake/suspension work isn't possible.
How do I find the lift capacity I need for my specific vehicle?
Check our vehicle weight database, which covers 700+ popular makes and models with curb weights and recommended minimum lift capacities. Industry standard is to choose a lift rated for at least 25% above your vehicle's weight (50% for trucks and SUVs where loaded weight matters). For 2-post lifts, also account for front/rear weight distribution since each arm is rated for one quarter of the total capacity.