I have an old 1/2hp Liftmaster chain garage door opener. It seems belt drive is highly recommended. How difficult is it to convert from an old Liftmaster chain to a new Liftmaster belt system?

The old system had the wall button and door sensors with a single button remote. It looks like the new stuff all includes wifi telephone options too.

For the most part, bolt off/bolt on. A buddy installed mine inside of 90 minutes, by himself, to include installing an external keypad, which did not exist before I had to replace my opener.

Pretty easy. I installed mine myself and it was pretty straightforward.

It's a pretty easy swap, I did it last year. The hardest thing you may have to do is cut or change the brackets from the old opener to adjust the position of the new one in relation to the new rail you will install. In most cases the sensors at the garage doors can even be re-used.

I did it a couple years ago. Not difficult at all. Biggest problem was setting up the ceiling brackets to hang the drive unit.

I think you will find it relatively easy if you are comfortable using tools like screwdrivers, drills and wrenches. I did mine a few years ago and I wouldn’t call it a direct replacement but it was very close.

I did it on one of my openers 3 months ago. It takes 1.5 hours and 2 Dr Peppers.

I went back with a chain. I found Chamberlain branded openers use a less sturdy snap together main rail. Liftmaster branded openers use a heavy duty one piece beam, cost twice as much and come from specialty dealers.

I already had the heavy duty one piece Liftmaster rail setup for chain. I just bought the Chamberlain one and only used the main unit, wall button and remote, keeping my Liftmaster rail.

The bummer was an older vehicles Homelink mirror would not pair with the new security remote.

Exactly what my buddy did...kept the Liftmaster frame and bolted the Chamberlain to it, but did use the belt-drive rail. And I didn’t expect my ‘97 Corolla to pair with the new unit, but oddly, my 2011 Venza didn’t pair either...just using the remote in both vehicles.

liftmaster and chamberlain are different brands mfg by same company. I think main thing about belt drive is they are a little quieter. I've got 3 chain drive liftmasters that I bought from commercial installer and all have been trouble free. In my old house I gave away a liftmaster from the 60s that still worked good when I upgraded my door.

I installed a Chamberlain belt drive last year. Yea it is quiet but real slow. Has a nice led light that is motion activated. Easy to install, connect bracket over door, fasten rail and lift motor unit up with a rope and pulley.

^^^^^
Huh...I didn’t find my Chamberlain to be any slower than the previous chain-driven Liftmaster. Is there a setting for that on the unit?