Sharing The Best Atlas  4 Post Lift For Your Home Garage

So you've decided on a 4-post lift, and you're liking the  Atlas brand. Now the hard part: which one do I pick? The PRO8000, PRO8000EXT, PRO8000EXT-L, 408SL, PRO9000, APEX 8 and APEX 9 look almost identical in photos, and four of them share the same 8,000 lb capacity. The differences that matter are clearance, runway length, width, build quality and warranty. Those are what decide whether a lift actually works in your garage. Come with us as we breakdown these wonderful lifts 

This guide compares the Atlas 4-post lifts we carry using the specs published on each product page, so you can pick the right one without guessing. (Still deciding on the brand itself? Read our honest review of Atlas car lifts first.) 

Quick Answer: The Best Atlas 4 Post Lift by Situation

• Best value for stacking two cars: Atlas Garage PRO8000
• Best for parking an SUV or pickup underneath: Atlas Garage PRO8000EXT
• Best for longer-wheelbase pickups and SUVs (non-dually): Atlas Garage PRO8000EXT-L
• Best build and cleanest look in a standard size: Atlas 408SL
• Best for full-size trucks and duallys: Atlas Garage PRO9000
• Best if you want ALI certification: Atlas APEX 8 (standard size) or APEX 9 (extra tall, wide and long)
• Best heavy-duty option: Atlas 412 (12,000 lb, 220V)

The rest of this post explains why, and what to measure before you buy.

What Atlas's Hobbyist 4-Post Lifts Have in Common

Before getting into the differences, here's what the PRO8000, PRO8000EXT, PRO8000EXT-L, 408SL, PRO9000, APEX 8 and APEX 9 all share, based on their product pages:

• Freestanding and portable. Each includes a caster kit with polyurethane wheels, so you can move the lift when it's unloaded.
• Safety system. Single-point lock release, lock ladder and double-lock safety system.
• 110V power on a 30 amp breaker, which works in a lot of residential garages.
• Accessories included. Steel approach ramps and drip trays, plus a steel jack tray on most models.
• Bridge jack compatible. Add a sliding or rolling bridge jack like the Atlas RJ35 Sliding Bridge Jack to lift the wheels off the runways for brake, tire and suspension work. That's what turns a storage lift into a working lift.

One thing worth knowing: Atlas says the Garage PRO series is built for homeowners, collectors and restoration shops, not high-cycle commercial repair shops where a lift goes up and down all day. For a home garage, that's exactly the intended use.

Atlas 4 Post Lift Comparison Table

Specs come from each model's product page (ours match Atlas's). Atlas's separate 4-post comparison chart shows slightly different numbers for a few models, so confirm final measurements in your model's manual or give us a call before you commit. Prices are listed warehouse-pickup prices as of October 2026. Shipping is extra and prices change, so check the product page for current pricing.

Fastest way to narrow it down: start with the vehicle you'll park underneath. If it's under about 64" tall, the PRO8000, 408SL or APEX 8 will work. If it's taller, look at the PRO8000EXT and up. Then check wheelbase and width against your longest, widest vehicle.

Atlas PRO8000 vs PRO8000EXT: Do You Need the Extra Height?

These two have the same footprint: 165.75" runways, a 153.5" max wheelbase and 206.75" overall length with ramps. The only real difference is height.

• Atlas Garage PRO8000: lifts to 72" at the top of the runway with 67" of clearance underneath. It's the lowest-cost Atlas 4-post we carry and a good fit for stacking two cars, or a car over something low.
• Atlas Garage PRO8000EXT: lifts to 84.25" with 79" of clearance underneath. Atlas built it for people who want to park an SUV or pickup under a stored car without needing a longer lift.

How to decide: measure the height of the vehicle going underneath, including roof racks and antennas, and leave a few inches of margin. If it's taller than the PRO8000's 67" clearance, get the PRO8000EXT. Then check your ceiling. The EXT's columns are 98.5" tall versus 83" on the PRO8000, and the car on top needs room too.

8,000lb 4 Post Lift

Double Your Parking Without Adding On

Need room for a second car without expanding your garage? The PRO8000 lifts 8,000 lbs with 67" of clearance underneath, runs on standard 110V power, and includes a caster kit so you can reposition it when it's unloaded.

  Atlas Automotive PRO8000 4-Post Storage Lift 8,000 lb. Capacity

$3,399.00

View Product

Atlas 408SL vs PRO8000: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

On paper these two are close: 8,000 lb capacity, 67" to 68.5" of clearance and roughly a 154" wheelbase limit. Here's what the extra $800 gets you:

• Heavier construction. Each 408SL column has two extra bends for strength and a larger wear block surface, with commercial-grade wear blocks. Shipping weight is about 1,965 lb versus 1,800 lb for the PRO8000.
• A cleaner look. Lifting cables run inside the columns and cross tubes, and covers hide the cable and lock hardware.
• Layout flexibility. The power unit can mount at any of the four corners.
• Longer hydraulic coverage. 2 years versus 1 year on the PRO8000 (both parts only).

If the lift will be on display in a show garage, or you just want the sturdier build, the 408SL is worth it. If you want the most lift for the money, the PRO8000 does the same basic job.

Best Atlas 4 Post Lift for Trucks and Long-Wheelbase Vehicles

For trucks, wheelbase and width matter more than anything.

• PRO8000EXT-L: About 20" longer and 3" wider than the standard PRO8000, with a 173" max wheelbase and 78.5" of clearance underneath. Atlas notes it's not designed for duallys, because the dual rear wheels are too wide to pass between the column lock assemblies.
• PRO9000: Steps up to 9,000 lb with 199.5" runways, a 187" max wheelbase, 97.25" drive-thru width and 80.25" of clearance. This is the one Atlas recommends for dually owners. It's also one of the biggest footprints here at 227.5" long with ramps, so measure your bay.
• 412: If you need 12,000 lb capacity, the Atlas 412 is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade lift with a 5-year structural and 2-year hydraulic warranty (parts only). Plan for its requirements: 220V single-phase power, an external air supply for the air-operated lock release, and at least 6" of 3,000 PSI concrete. Unlike the hobbyist models, its product page doesn't list a caster kit. It lists mounting hardware instead, so plan on it staying put.

Do You Need an ALI Certified Atlas Lift?

The Atlas APEX 8 and APEX 9 are the ALI certified 4-post lifts in Atlas's hobbyist range. Both stay portable with an included caster kit, and both carry a 5-year structural and 2-year hydraulic warranty (parts only), versus 2 years structural on the Garage PRO models.

• APEX 8 is about PRO8000-sized (67" clearance, 154" max wheelbase), with certification and a longer warranty.
• APEX 9 is extra tall, wide and long: 81.25" of clearance, a 184" max wheelbase and a 98 5/8" drive-thru. Atlas says it can handle diesel duallys, and it's a heavier lift than the PRO9000.

If certification or a longer structural warranty matters to you, the APEX models are the pick. You can browse every certified lift in our ALI certified lifts collection.

What to Measure Before You Buy an Atlas 4-Post Lift

1. Ceiling height to the lowest obstruction. Measure to the garage door track, opener or lights, not just the drywall. Compare that to the column height and to your total stack: vehicle underneath, raised runway, vehicle on top. Our complete car lift buying guide covers ceiling height and the rest of the planning in more detail.
2. Your vehicles. Check wheelbase against each lift's max, and the height of the vehicle underneath against clearance under the runways.
3. Floor space. Check overall length with ramps and overall width with the motor, then leave room to walk around the lift.
4. Power. Most Atlas hobbyist 4-posts need 110V on a 30 amp breaker. The 412 needs 220V and shop air.
5. Concrete. The PRO8000 page lists a minimum of 4" of 3,000 PSI concrete. Check the requirement for your specific model.
6. Delivery. Car lifts ship by freight, and you'll need a forklift or equivalent to unload. Free warehouse pickup is also an option on these lifts.

FAQ

What is the best Atlas 4 post lift for a home garage?

For most home garages storing a car over a car, the Atlas Garage PRO8000 is the best value. To park an SUV or pickup underneath, choose the PRO8000EXT (79" clearance). For full-size trucks or duallys, go with the PRO9000. For ALI certification and a 5-year structural warranty, look at the APEX 8 or APEX 9.

Can I park an SUV under an Atlas 4 post lift?

Usually, if you pick a taller model. The PRO8000EXT gives 79" under the runways, the PRO8000EXT-L 78.5", the PRO9000 80.25" and the APEX 9 81.25". Measure your SUV's actual height and check your ceiling before ordering.

Do Atlas 4 post lifts need to be bolted to the floor?

The Atlas hobbyist 4-posts covered here are freestanding and come with a caster kit. On the APEX models, anchor bolts are listed as optional and sold separately. Always follow the installation manual for your model.

Can you work on a car on a 4 post lift?

Yes. With the runways raised and locked, you can get under the vehicle for oil changes, exhaust and other under-car jobs. Headroom ranges from 67" on the PRO8000 and APEX 8 up to 81.25" on the APEX 9. For brakes, tires and suspension, add a bridge jack like the Atlas RJ35 to get the wheels off the runways.

Do Atlas 4 post lifts run on 110V?

The PRO8000, PRO8000EXT, PRO8000EXT-L, 408SL, PRO9000, APEX 8 and APEX 9 all run on 110V with a 30 amp breaker. The Atlas 412 needs 220V single-phase power plus an external air supply.

Is Atlas a good brand for car lifts?

For most home garages, yes. The Atlas 4-post lineup runs from lower-priced storage lifts to ALI certified and commercial-grade models. Elite Garage Tools is an authorized Atlas retailer, so every lift we sell is authentic and covered by the manufacturer warranty. For a deeper look at certification, warranty and how Atlas compares, see our Atlas car lift review.

Still Deciding? Talk to a Human

Picking a 4-post lift comes down to your ceiling, your vehicles and how you'll use it. If you're stuck between two models, call or text us at (833) 724-8902 and we'll help you run the numbers before you order. You can also shop all Atlas lifts, compare every 4-post lift we carry, or take our car lift quiz for a recommendation.

Elite Garage Tools is an authorized Atlas dealer with no sales tax, a best price guarantee, financing options and lifetime phone support. Find your Atlas 4-post lift today.