Adding A Lift
After closely following the manufacturer's assembly instructions, we began positioning the lift in our garage, allowing maximum possible clearance in every direction. That brought us to our next obstacle-the conventional, drawbar-type garage door opener connected to the extension-sprung exterior door of the third-car bay.
We knew going in that the electric opener would have to be removed, and planned on manually operating the existing door-but that wasn't the problem. When open and in a horizontal position, the door was just 8 feet off the ground, which meant that it couldn't be open while working under a vehicle. Knowing we'd never be satisfied with that arrangement, we contacted Steve Gulizia, of The Door Doctor in Omaha, Nebraska, and solicited another professional opinion.
Many homeowners never realize that their current garage contains ample space to accommodate a lift. To determine the approximate work area under a vehicle, subtract the vehicle's peak height from the minimum ceiling height. If the work area is greater than your personal height (how tall you are), you should be able to easily stand under the vehicle. When dealing with taller vehicles, a roll-around stool is an option-being seated while working under a car is still better than lying on your back!
In an attempt to gain maximum clearance, Gulizia suggested converting the extension-sprung door to a torsion-sprung set up, and increasing the length of the door tracks to position the open door much closer to the ceiling. He also mentioned a relatively new product he thought might interest us-a Chamberlain Liftmaster 3800 Jackshaft electric door opener. It's an affordable wall-mounted unit that connects to the door's torsion shaft, providing full automatic operation without compromising ceiling clearance. After considering all the benefits, we heeded Gulizia's advice, and proceeded with the install.
Exercising Extreme Caution
Like any piece of equipment with moving components, personal safety should be of the utmost concern while using a lift, and periodic maintenance and regular inspections are required to ensure maximum reliability from it.
Failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions in their entirety, which should be clearly spelled out in the supplied manual, could not only result in severe damage to a vehicle, but serious bodily injury too. If any unanswered questions remain, we strongly suggest contacting the manufacturer and addressing any concerns directly with the company prior to using a lift for the first time.
Conclusion
In the past, to complete various projects, we had to make arrangements to use a friend's lift after normal business hours, but after completing a few tasks at our own leisure, it's clear how invaluable a lift truly is. From basic oil changes to complete transmission or suspension swaps, any task is much simpler. If you've pondered purchasing a lift in the past, and discover that you have ample space in your garage, consider all the benefits an automotive lift has to offer. You'll soon be performing repairs on your Pontiac that you once had to pay for!
While some hobbyists choose not to work on their Pontiacs at home, storage space in the garage can sometimes be at a premium. If the latter is a concern, consider that a high-quality automotive lift can literally double available storage space within a garage. Optional with most four-post lifts are drip trays that can be placed under the engine, transmission, or rear axle to prevent fluids from dripping on the vehicle below. |  | 
The upward travel of the Jackshaft opener was set so the door just cleared the opening, taking up the least amount of ceiling space. This door can be fully open while working under most vehicles, maximizing ventilation on hot days and capitalizing on any available outside lighting. Remember to continually check ceiling clearance while raising the vehicle to prevent damage, and exercise extreme caution while working under it! |