Challenger 4P14EFX 14,000 lbs. Closed-Front 4-Post Service Lift

Two numbers define what this lift is for. It takes 14,000 lbs., and it rises 78 in. - and that rise height is the reason a technician can stand up under a truck on it rather than stoop. The closed-front design is the other half: a full-width crossmember at the front end instead of an open span, which is what lets the 4P14EFX carry a 182.5 in. wheelbase as standard, or 210 in. in the extended version, without the runways having to do all the work.

It ships in black only, and alignment is available as an option rather than being the assumed use. Everything below comes from Challenger's specification for this model plus the feature list on this page. Where published figures differ, this page gives both and tells you which one to confirm.

Why closed-front, and what you give up

An open-front four-post lift lets you walk a transmission jack or a tall toolbox straight in between the runways from the front. A closed front trades that for structure. The crossmember ties the two front columns together, which is what keeps a long, heavy vehicle stable at full height and is the reason this design handles wheelbases that would make an open-front lift flex. If you routinely roll equipment in from the front of the bay, that is a real cost. If you park long trucks and vans and want them rock-solid at working height, it is the right trade.

Getting on and off it

Runways are 20 in. wide, which sounds like a small number until you are lining up a dual-rear-wheel pickup in a mirror. Wide runways are forgiving; narrow ones make every drive-on a careful manoeuvre and eventually cost you a scraped rim. The approach ramps are louvered rather than smooth, so a wet or oily tyre has something to key into on the way up - the moment a tyre loses grip on a ramp is the moment the vehicle does something unplanned.

Runway height is 7.25 in. off the floor at rest and the runways sit 40 in. or 43 in. apart, which is the adjustment that matters for narrow-track cars and wide-track trucks alike.

Lock positions and working height

The lift offers fourteen locking positions through its travel. That is more than a safety count - it is an ergonomics feature. A technician working on an exhaust wants the job at chest height; the same technician doing a gearbox wants it higher; someone inspecting a suspension wants it at eye level. Fourteen stops means the lift can be set to the job instead of the job being done at whatever height the lift happens to offer. Over a shift that is the difference between working and reaching.

Full rise is 78 in. under the runways. Combined with the fourteen positions, that is a working envelope which suits a shop where the same bay does brake work in the morning and driveline work in the afternoon.

Will It Fit?

Challenger's minimum recommended bay size for this lift is 14 ft. x 24 ft. That is the number to check first, before any other dimension, because it accounts for the space you need around the lift rather than the space the lift occupies.

Overall length is 245.75 in. and overall width 130.75 in. Columns stand 90.5 in. high, with 116 in. inside the columns. Rise is 78 in., runways are 20 in. wide and 7.25 in. high at rest, and the gap between runways adjusts to 40 in. or 43 in. Standard maximum wheelbase is 182.5 in., extending to 210 in. on the long version.

You will also need shop air: the specification calls for a supply of 90-120 psi. And a note on what we deliberately have not written - Challenger's concrete thickness and strength requirement is not held in our product data, so we are not going to quote you one. Ask us for the installation manual before you drill. Confirming the slab, the anchors, the bay dimensions and the electrical supply is the buyer's responsibility, and all four are cheaper to check now than after delivery.

Check the width between the columns before you plan the bay

Published figures for the width between the columns differ: Challenger's specification block gives 196 in. between columns; the catalogue entry for this model gives 16 ft. Those are not the same measurement, and on a lift this size the difference decides whether a wide vehicle clears. If the between-columns figure is load-bearing for your bay layout or your vehicles, confirm it with us in writing before you order - we will get it straight from Challenger.

Power supply

2 HP, 208v-230v, 60 Hz, 1 Ph, with a rise time listed at 90 seconds. A four-post lift raising 14,000 lbs. is not a fast lift and is not meant to be - the vehicle sits on it, rather than cycling up and down all day. Have an electrician confirm the circuit against the motor plate before delivery, and get the air line planned at the same time.

Perfect For

• Truck and van shops where wheelbase, not weight, is what runs out first.
• Fleet and municipal workshops servicing long-wheelbase vehicles on a fixed schedule.
• General service bays wanting a drive-on lift that a technician can stand under.
• Shops planning an alignment bay - alignment is offered as an option on this model rather than being built in.

What's in the Box

• Four columns and two 20 in. wide runways
• Louvered approach ramps
• Fourteen-position locking system
• Powder coat finish, black

Alignment equipment, rolling jacks and other accessories are separate orders. If you are building an alignment bay rather than a service bay, say so when you enquire - the accessories decide that, not the lift.

Certification, stated plainly

Our record for this model shows ALI and ETL certification marked yes. That means a third-party listing rather than a manufacturer's own declaration, which is the distinction an insurer, a fleet policy or a local inspector is usually asking about. If that listing is a condition of your cover or of a contract you are bidding for, get the requirement in writing and let us confirm the certificate covers the exact configuration - standard or extended wheelbase - that you are ordering.

Shipping and Delivery

This lift ships as freight within the lower 48 states, and it is a large, heavy consignment even by lift standards. You will need a forklift or a dock to receive it, or you can take terminal pickup; warehouse collection is also available. Residential delivery can be arranged and carries a fee. This item ships free, so there is nothing to add at checkout.

Inspect before you sign. Runways and columns travel banded and can arrive scuffed or bent at a corner without the wrapping showing much. Count the pieces against the packing list, photograph anything suspect, and write it on the bill of lading while the driver is still on site.

Warranty

Warranty terms and the claim route are published on our warranty claims page. We have not printed a coverage period here because our product record for this lift holds a link rather than a term, and a warranty length is not a thing to approximate. Ask us and we will confirm it before you buy.

If a fault appears, raise it before anything is dismantled. A power unit that has been opened or a lock assembly that has been taken apart cannot be assessed afterwards, and that is the most common way a valid claim becomes a dispute. Photograph it, note what the lift was doing, and leave it as it is.