I am about to install the garage door header bracket and I have almost everything figured out. There is a ~1 inch gap between the ceiling and joist I'm screwing into but I need every millimeter I can get to clear the rail and the door. I want to attach a 2x4 against the ceiling to add more working space. Originally I was just going to use a 4-6 inch scrap piece secured vertically with some 2.5" wood screws and then lag bolt the bracket into that as instructed. Now, I think I am going to remove the strap securing the wire and run the wire for about 12 inches so that I can fit a 12 inch 2x4 section horizontally across the top.
Should I attach the 2x4 with wood screws or lag screws? I'm worried that lag screws will require too big of holes that they will need to be positioned so low they might negate any reinforcement I might have had. What are your opinions?
Just so we are all clear with what we're working with here is a picture: