an in - vehicle lift mechanism has a heavy duty drive assembly suitable for lifting heavy loads , such as all terrain vehicles , motorcycles and other motorized equipment and vehicles . the lift mechanism has four corner posts that are fixed to the vehicle and guide a support platform . the drive assembly includes a motor that drives a screw to engage a nut secured to a movable pulley carriage . as the screw turns , the pulley carriage translates relative the platform to either let out or take up cabling allowing the platform to be raised or lowered . the mechanism uses multiple cables , the ends of which are secured in fixed positions , one end being fixed relative to the platform and one fixed relative to the vehicle . a plurality of stationary position pulleys route the cables between the platform and the posts .