Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » How to jack a car up high? 1 2

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  Aug. 1, 2011 6:39 a.m. snipes Reader

  I have so some really big jack stands and I used them a few times on the Porsharu project. However ever time I did it was scary. I would raise the front a little then the rear, trying to make sure the jack was rolling and not pushing the car off the stands. Once I got the car on the stands it was very safe. The stands would be great for working on a Ford F350. Any way what if I want to go higher next time. Like building 2' tall stands that go under the tires. How would I get the car that high safely. Does any one have pictures of cars on stands like this?

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  Aug. 1, 2011 7:14 a.m. novaderrik Dork

  just so i'm clear- you think a 3000 pound car is going to fall off a set of 4 jackstands that are rated for a combined 12 tons (24,000 pounds) or more? or are you worried about a 3 ton (6000 pounds) rated floor jack not being able to safely lift your car a foot at a time?

  cribbing has been the new cool way to hold cars up off the ground amongst the musclecar/pro touring crowd ever since someone saw a pic in a magazine article of cars being built at DSE that had the cars in the shop up on cribbing stands that were made out of 2X4's that were screwed together like a big Jenga game under each wheel.

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  Aug. 1, 2011 7:21 a.m. oldtin Dork

  I used an engine hoist to get them lifted enough to put on a rotisserie

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  Aug. 1, 2011 7:53 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  I usually lift one end, then the other as you did... but I don't extend the jack stands all the way until they get wobbly... I set them on top of 2x12s stacked (screwed together). They make a nice stable base.

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Aug. 1, 2011 8:10 a.m. snipes Reader

  novaderrik wrote: just so i'm clear- you think a 3000 pound car is going to fall off a set of 4 jackstands that are rated for a combined 12 tons (24,000 pounds) or more? or are you worried about a 3 ton (6000 pounds) rated floor jack not being able to safely lift your car a foot at a time?

  No I know it is super safe and stable once I get the car up. It is just the trip up and down that is worrisome.

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  Aug. 1, 2011 9:24 a.m. Rad_Capz Reader

  I use platform sections to keep raising the jack so I'm only using the jack for the 1st half of it's travel where there's less horizontal movement. Wheel cribs are long enough to allow a bit of roll rather than wanting to tip.

  

  John Paige

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  Aug. 1, 2011 9:28 a.m. docwyte Reader

  I've got an AC Hydraulics jack that lifts up to 36", I had to get taller jackstands to really use it!

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  Aug. 1, 2011 10:00 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  I think I need to make some of those Jenga like cribs..

  Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

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  Aug. 1, 2011 2:12 p.m. donalson SuperDork

  In my Mr2 days I had a set of truck jack stands... a normal set... an sub hydro jack and a mid sized bottle jack and an 8x8 chunk of railway tie and bits of other lumber...

  I'd get the front end up on the short stands only part way up and then jack the rear as high as I could centered... from there it was side to side with the bottle jack... only a notch or 2 in the stands... if I needed more space under the car (to slide an engine out) I'd drop the front

  Getting it up was always a headache.... but never felt unsafe

  "Just because you can think outside of the box, it doesn't mean we are going to let you out of it." ~ John Brown

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  Aug. 1, 2011 2:24 p.m. ReverendDexter SuperDork

  I usually lift one end high enough to get a set of jackstands under, then set the car on those, move to the other side, jack it up enough to put jackstands up a bit higher than the other side, go back to the first side and jack it up high enough that I can put that first set of jackstands at a higher level; wash; rinse; repeat.

  I'll use blocks on top of the jack as necessary to get the rig up as high as I need.

  --There is no turd more polished than the Ford Mustang--

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  Aug. 1, 2011 3:55 p.m. daytonaer Reader

  I usually drive the front up on ramps, jack up the rear and put a second set of ramps under the rear. That gets me about half way up, from there I jack one end at a time with the big jack stands underneath. This keeps the angle of differential tolerable without putting too much lateral load on the stands and the ramps act as backups if something were to teeter.

  I put the ramp slopes faxing each other front to rear (ramp side inside facing each other)

  If need to go up further I just do small increments per side.

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  Aug. 1, 2011 4:48 p.m. oldeskewltoy Reader

  Hmmm, depends on what I'm going for...

  I usually place a tire/wheel under the jack - similar to Rad Capz boxes. I then can stack tire/wheel combinations. I will also use a 4x4 on top of the jack lift arm if I don't need the height offered to me by the tire/wheel

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  Aug. 1, 2011 9:49 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

  I use a lift.

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  Aug. 2, 2011 5:31 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

  When I have to go high, I start breaking out the 4x4 and 6x6 timbers. All about 2 feet long.
  

  Very strong, very steady. Which to me, is very important.

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  Aug. 2, 2011 6:19 a.m. jamscal Dork

  Start with couple 2x4's. You'll be fine.

  

  

  "One experiment is worth a thousand expert opinions"

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  Aug. 2, 2011 7:06 a.m. N Sperlo Dork

  Just get a lift...

  

  - N. Sperlo -:-:- "Never take life seriously. No one ever gets out alive anyway." ~ ~ A strong tail wind can't hurt either...~~ K0HOF

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  Aug. 2, 2011 7:55 a.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork

  jamscal wrote: Start with couple 2x4's. You'll be fine.

  See jamscal, that's how people like you get hurt ! You would use a 2x4. This guy is much,much safer because he's an expert and knows to use a 4x4 ! You must use the proper tools for the job.
  

  He also appears to be welding the gas tank, so he's only a jacking expert IMHO.

  '99 Miata,'03 CooperS,'91 GTI 16V, '96 Astro (deceased),06 Scion Xb

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  Aug. 2, 2011 2:31 p.m. MidAmLifts.com New Reader

  Mid-America Auto Lifts would like to STRONGLY urge safety first. The last thing you want to do is throw caution to the wind and cause damage to your vehicle or possibly even death (should your auto fall).

  What to look for when purchasing a lift....

  Why do I need a lift? A quality auto lift is a purchase that should last a life time. It can save time (and money) whether you want to service your vehicle, perform detailing work, or provide additional storage in your garage. Owning an auto lift is more than a luxury; it is a valuable tool that will pay dividends for years to come.

  What type of lift do I need?

  There are 3 basic types of lifts available. The most common are single post, 2 post, and 4 post. Each has advantages and disadvantages. A single post lift takes up the least room, but is primarily for storage. A 2 post can be used to work on vehicles, but is not well suited for storage. A 4 post offers the ability to store your vehicle, perform most service needs, and is the choice for most home enthusiasts. Both the single post and 2 post lifts require being bolted into the floor and may require at least 6 inches of concrete, whereas a 4 post lift is free-standing, can be set up in most garages, and can even be moved if necessary.

  How much room do I need?

  Depending on the type of lift you select, you will need on average 9.5’ to 13’ of ceiling height. A good rule of thumb for vehicle storage is the height of the 2 cars you are storing plus 6”. The company you purchase your lift from should be able to assist you in determining your requirements.

  I’m ready to buy. Now what?

  The first thing you want to do is find a reputable dealer. The company you deal with is as important as the lift you buy. Many so-called lift dealers are simply middle-men who take your order, make a call, and place your order. They offer little in follow-up service or support. Sources such as the Better Business Bureau can direct you to reputable companies. Does the company manufacture their own lift, or do they have some or all of it built by others? What kind of warrantee comes with your lift? A little money saved now may cost you a lot in a few years. Can the company you are dealing with help you with special needs, such as height and length requirements, power unit selection (220v or 110v), layout drawings, and even your choice of color? Make sure you discuss the type of vehicles you plan on using with your lift now and in the future. Do you want to install it yourself or have someone else do it? A quality lift company will want to know these and many more questions. By choosing the right company, your lift purchase will be made easy, hassle-free, and provide you with a quality product for years to come.

  Always remember safety first.

  Mid-America Auto Lifts "they shall lift up as on wings of eagles"

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  Aug. 2, 2011 4:00 p.m. patgizz SuperDork

  can they lift a canoe?

  When I grow up, I want to be just like Colt McCoy

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  Aug. 2, 2011 4:05 p.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

  patgizz wrote: can they lift a canoe?

  No canoe.....he was invited to post here for safety's sake.

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  Aug. 2, 2011 7:13 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

  Joe Gearin wrote: No canoe.....he was invited to post here for safety's sake.

  After a few close calls lifting MINIs on jack stands, the $1500 I paid for my scissor lift seemed cheap. No use at all for storage, but for most service work (especially on FWD cars), it's been an awesome investment.

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  Aug. 2, 2011 7:47 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

  DeadSkunk wrote:

  jamscal wrote: Start with couple 2x4's. You'll be fine.

  See jamscal, that's how people like you get hurt ! You would use a 2x4. This guy is much,much safer because he's an expert and knows to use a 4x4 ! You must use the proper tools for the job.
  

  He also appears to be welding the gas tank, so he's only a jacking expert IMHO.

  Nah- he's also an expert in explosives and rocket propulsion!

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  Aug. 2, 2011 9:28 p.m. ansonivan Dork

  How to jack a car up high? Don't, please sober up first.

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  Aug. 2, 2011 9:38 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  sober up me or the car first?

  Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

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  Aug. 2, 2011 9:44 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

  If you are considering the 4x4 trick, don't worry about sober. Darwin will handle.

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