Hello fellow hot rodders, I apologize in advance for this silly question, I am new to the scene. Trying to figure out the best way to jack the front end up for stands. I was thinking about in the middle of axle? Should I be worried about the leaf spring? I have attached a photo to show you what I am dealing with. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.
My car is low, I built a set of wood ramps that raise the front about 3”, the ramps are at a slight angle so it is easy to drive on them. Once the car is on the ramps it is easy to use a rolling floor jack to raise the car and install the jack stands. I also always use rubber wheel chocks on both rear wheels to prevent the car from moving until the jack stands are in place. Safety is no accident.
Yes @kabinenroller is saying something no one mentioned. Use wheel chocks - that's an important part.
I know of two people that got crushed by not doing the right thing. One used cinder blocks and died at 18 years old. Number two decide he didn’t need wheel chocks and died at 70ish.
^^^^^ this - you bet me to it. Careful using a block of wood, 2 more points of contact- a flat piece is better - and it can easily roll either way if too small.
^^^^ and^^^^ make sure the floor jack has enough travel to allow room to get the stands under the axle.
I've been using ramps lately too. Drive the car up, chock the rear wheels and then raise it with a floor jack... work like a gentleman.
One other thing to consider is "how high" you plan on raising the vehicle......and I'm sure that height will vary with what you are trying to do. If you jack it vry high, you need to go part way and set it on jack stands. Then raise the rear and set it on stands. Then back to the front and take it a little higher and adjust the stands. For some simple tasks where you don't need to get under the car, its ok to jack it up at one end so its on an angle. If you are going to crawl under it, its best to keep it level. Never use concrete blocks to set stands or the vehicle on. You can roll some mounted spare tires under raised vehicles so if they do fall, the vehicle will land on them and not crush you. Last thing is to always be on level ground so the car doesn't try to roll. If you jack the rear wheels up, there is nothing keeping the vehicle from rolling. Thats everything that I can think of............
A floor jack arm on tends to pull the car toward it as it rises. When jacking the front, the rear wheels must roll forward so I ensure an automatic trans is in Neutral so to not stress the Park pawl. Then chock the rear and place stands.
I mentioned the ramps I use to raise the car slightly so that a conventional floor jack can be used to lift the car to the desired height. I forgot to add that I glued some soft rubber to the bottom of the ramps so they do not slide when the front wheels begin to rise on the ramps. Also, jack stands are good but sometimes they are in the way when working under the car. If the car has tires mounted I prefer to support the car by wood structures under the tires. I have found that a 12” rise is a good working height. Mine are made using 4x4’s, I am sure they are stout enough to support more weight than I expose them to with my car.
Im pleased with all the positive responses in this thread. Thats how the hobby thrives. Better to ask a question than get hurt or killed.
I appreciate all the great help and words of wisdom everyone. New floor jack has been ordered, and I have some old 2x4 being cut down to size. Many thanks
I bought a set of these from Eastwood. Drive up on them and then remove the approach ramp so its not in the way when your working under the car. https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-detachable-car-ramp-set.html Race ramps are another option but they require jacking up the car. https://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-R...t=&hvlocphy=9031457&hvtargid=pla-514289321517
I alway use blocking before I get under a car…if you don’t have anything use the spare tire ..yes we had a auto shop teacher in Long Island found crushed under his Jaguar…a shop teacher no less.. tragic.
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