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Base Plate vs Overhead Lift
Clear Floor vs Floor Plate Lift – What’s Better for Your Garage?
If you’re finally ready to pull the trigger on a 2 Post lift, the next question is: base plate vs overhead lift—what’s the difference, and which one do you need? This decision mostly comes down to ceiling height, what kind of vehicles you’re lifting, and how clean you want the floor to stay underneath.
Clear Floor vs Floor Plate Lift – The Real Deal
Let’s keep it simple. A floor plate lift (also called a baseplate) has a steel bar running across the bottom between the posts. That bar houses the equalizer cables and hydraulic lines. It’s great for low ceilings but makes it harder to roll a transmission jack or creeper underneath.
A clear floor lift (also called overhead) puts the cables and lines up top, giving you full clearance underneath.
Base Plate vs Overhead Lift Pros and Cons
✅ Baseplate Pros:
- Fits in low-ceiling garages
- Easier to install
- Usually cheaper
❌ Baseplate Cons:
- Plate on floor blocks creepers/jacks
- More prone to getting dirty underneath
✅ Overhead Pros:
- Clear floor = easier to work
- Cleaner, more professional look
- Better for frequent use
❌ Overhead Cons:
- Needs higher ceiling
- Harder install
Floor Plate vs Overhead Lift – Which One’s Right for You?
If you’re in a short garage or basement bay, go with a baseplate design. It gets the job done without needing big modifications. But if you’ve got the height and want a shop-style setup, we usually lean in favor of the overhead model.
Bottom Line: At the end of the day the 2 post lift floor plate vs overhead lift debate comes down to the fact that both will lift your car. The right one depends on your garage setup. If you’ve got low ceilings, baseplate is your buddy. If you’ve got room to go up, the overhead is worth it. Contact us today if you need additional information on the baseplate vs overhead 2 post lift decision.
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