Jack Stands/Wheel ramps

[Dave WM]

Not to cover the jack support locations but just what is being used and any new stuff.

right now I have 4 HF 3 ton jack stands and the HF 3 ton floor lift.

The work ok but I don't get a good feeling about getting enough lift for my trans swap.

I have some HF ramps, no cross bracing scares me a little, plus too steep an angle for the low profile z.

I generally support at the front cross member and the diff front cross member  jacking at the front cross member and the diff to get access.

I like to remove the tires and put them at the corners as well just in case something lets go, maybe they will save me.

I would like to get about 24" min so I can get easy access.

I did see some lifts that lifted by the wheel with a floor jack, one wheel at a time with built in stops as you go up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zed Head]

I've found that the rubber jack stand covers HF sells are helpful in reducing damage from the odd shape of the stand head.  The 3 tons were high enough for me, if I recall right.  Gotta get out that tape measure.

I also have a collection of wood pieces of various thicknesses and shapes that I place between the stand head and the car part, when appropriate.  They spread the load, top and bottom.

[Dave WM]

I was wondering about the use of the odd shape to fit the pinch weld?. Googling jack stands images gives a lot of interesting solutions. hmm maybe not, seems like its too wide. does not look at all like whats on the scissor jack or other pinch weld adaptors.

Edited May 2, 2016 by Dave WM

[siteunseen]

I point my ramps out to the side of the car on the rears when I'm under mine. I've put cement walking pavers under the ramps flat area for more height.  Tried 4" solid cap blocks first but my floor jack wouldn't go high enough.

I used a motorcycle jack I have to lower my transmission down then I couldn't get all that out from under my car!  Slid it off the jack then drug it out from under the car.  Learned the hard way that day.

[jfa.series1]

Hockey pucks with a 1/4"W X 1/2"D slot are the perfect interface for using jack stands at the jacking points.  A slotted puck can also used with a floor jack at the jacking point.  Cheap, too!!!

[ramsesosirus]

FYI I had a Harbor Freight Jack Stand split on me a few weeks ago.  It was the orange 6 ton ones.  I had them under my 99 tahoe during a front brake pad job, so I had two supporting one corner of the car.  I didn't notice until  removed the stand, but the weld along the side was splitting very good.  Lucky it didn't fail.  The Tahoe weighs about 5500 lbs, but I the stands should have been adequate for a corner and utilizing two.

You are smart to be concerned now, before things happen.  We had a young guy crushed under his car about a month ago in Omaha.

I always like to use at least 2 jackstands, lower the floor jack onto the stands, then jack i up one or two pushes.  I also then put the tire under the car as another added option.  Even then, I don't like getting underneath cars.

For the Z, especially with rusty frames, etc...  I have been using a low profile Harbor Freight floor jack to jack the front up, then lower it onto some metal ramps (that do have a piece of metal between the front and back).  This gives a decent amount of work space, and I don't have to worry about the frame or jackstands.

Obviously everything CAN fail, but it is about minimizing the risk prior to an accident (since these type of accidents are often catastrophic).

These are the exact ramps I have (from Advance Auto or something).  Metal with a "cross bracket".

The site was discussing why they are hard to use (move when trying to drive onto them, not aligning right, etc...) which is why they are "crossed out".  I find they work better when jacking the front of the car up high, they sliding the ramps under the tires.  You can position them this way, then lower the jack.

HTH

 

[Dave WM]

popped for the low profile high lift 2 ton jack from HF, Seems like decent build quality, works well, easy to get under the diff and gets it up there high in a hurry.

Next up will look at the 6 and 12 ton jack stands. Have the 3 but really kinda small base and max lift IMHO. The 12's look massive and have a fairly high min height, but with the high lift jack that's not a problem. They have a VERY wide base that makes me feel a lot better about getting under the car.

[Dave WM]

got the HF 12 tons, WOW these things look like they could support an M-1 Tank. really overkill (hmm odd use of a term) but I will feel much better under the car with them. They have a very wide stance (no jokes pls) and are VERY heavy. I only got a single pair will go back and get the other next week. the min height is approx. 19" so pretty darn high to start with, can go up to 30" which if I had a jack that could get that high would be great. I have several task to accomplish starting with

Tank filler neck replacement (have a refurbished one to replace the rusting on

Tank sending unit O ring seal (leaking)

Rear Diff gear oil change (have no idea when it was last serviced, have some MT 80-140 IIRC for it.

that should cover the rear, next up will be to remove the exhaust so I can get a the trans for a swap (4 to 5 speed zx close ratio)

I would like to do something with all the heat shields on the exhaust (CA car with cat and shields all over the place). Just not sure what to do.