If you’re doing serious work using a two-post lift, you need the right tools for the job. Not all vehicles are made equally, and some jobs require special equipment. Accessories for two-post lifts help lift different vehicles. However, without the proper research, any addition to your two-post lift can potentially be dangerous. Knowing the different lift accessories, and how to choose the proper one, can save you from making harmful mistakes.
So, what are the proper two-post lift accessories, and how do you know which ones are considered safe to use?
Confirm lift accessories are certified
Automotive Lift Institute and accessories
When it comes to automotive lift safety, there should only be one name on your mind: the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI).
With full-size vehicle lifts, ALI certification is the best way to be assured of your lift’s safety. The same applies to vehicle lift accessories. An ALI approved accessory is certified for its design and construction safety. With so much at risk, you need to know that you can trust the tools you’re using on your vehicle. ALI certification proves that the vehicle lift and/or accessories you use have been rigorously tested and examined.
Additionally, only ALI certified accessories should be used with an ALI certified lift. If you use an attachment that is not certified on a certified lift, you could void the certification for as long as the lift remains altered.
Not only is an ALI Certified accessory your safest option, but if you want your lift to remain certified it’s your only option.
Double-check: Are the accessories are safe for your lift?
Most lift manufacturers, sell lift replacement parts and accessories along with the lifts themselves. In many cases, these accessories are designed to fit perfectly and function safely with your lift.
Whether adding an accessory or replacing a part, you should always purchase from the same manufacturer who made your lift. This goes for every kind of full-size lift available, from two-post lifts to four-post lifts.
Some accessories may only be ALI Certified in conjunction with a corresponding lift. To find out which two-post lift accessories are ALI Certified for a lift, find the lift on ALI’s Lift Directory (autolift.org) and scroll to the bottom of the page where compatible lift accessories are listed.
Some common two-post lift accessories
Frame cradle pads
Frame cradle pads are the perfect accessory for larger trucks and SUVs. They are made to straddle the chassis frame of a truck, preventing any movement. And, like all adapters, frame cradle pads will attach easily to two-post lift arms.
Wide frame cradle pads
Similar to frame cradle pads, wide frame cradle pads are made to lock in the biggest trucks in the business. Built for heavy-duty commercial grade trucks, wide frame cradle pads are only necessary in the front where the frame sections converge.
Steel lift pads
Steel lift pads are the adapters you want for shops with a high volume of work. With their ridged edges, steel lift pads provide an extra grip on the chassis frame for a more secure hold. And, with their all-steel construction, steel lift pads are made to last through heavy use.
Screw lift pads
To fine-tune a lift to just the right height, screw lift pads are the way to go. As the name suggests, screw lift pads screw vertically, allowing you to adjust the height of your two-post lift up to an additional 3”.
Adapter pins
Similar to screw lift pads, adapter pins are great for altering the height of a two-post lift. With sizes of low, medium, and tall, adapter pins provide your lift with an even broader range of heights to choose from.
Polyurethane pads
Polyurethane pads are a great addition to any two-post lift arm. The textured surface adds an extra-strong grip to your lift adapter, ensuring that the vehicle has no room to shift. These pads are also great for reducing any chance of damage to the chassis frame of the vehicle.
Round lift pad adapters
Round lift pad adapters are the best option for any two-post lift that’s seeing a lot of use. The thick, polyurethane rubber pad grips the chassis frame while protecting the finish of the vehicle’s hardware.
Air/electric stations
The air/electric station is a convenient addition to any two or four-post lift in a garage or shop. With four electrical outlets and two specialized air service outlets, one for tire inflation and one for pneumatic tools, this utility station turns a lift into a one-stop shop.
Accessorize safely
Finding the proper two-post lift accessory doesn’t have to be hard work.
Using the ALI Lift Directory to find a lift and the ALI Certified accessories that go with it will go a long way in the accessory buying process. Moreover, purchasing a lift accessory from the same place you purchased your lift will ensure that the products were engineered to work safely together.
If you’re in the market for any of these two-post lift accessories, use these tips to determine the best and safest accessory for you. At the end of the day, the accessories you purchase have more resting on them than just a vehicle.
Spencer Labbe is the creative content writer for BendPak and their suite of brands. Lover of cool cars and other things that go vroom, Labbe enjoys reading about the latest trends in the car world. He can be reached at [email protected].
