Jacks or better

[Stanley]

Needed to swap in a new AT modulator, and pull the pan to change the ATF. Usually I use ramps but couldn't drive up on them since ATF was low due to the bad modulator. Used the stock jack that came with the car and a jackstand to change the modulator. The stock jack is OK for changing a tire but doesn't raise the car enough to work under it very well. So bought a 6 ton hydraulic jack and tried using that yesterday to pull the pan. But I had to use the stock jack first to get the car high enough to get the new jack under the frame rail. So did that, and then removed the stock jack, jacked it up some more  and placed the raised jackstand next to it.

Working under the car was much "nicer" then. Pulled the pan (glad I did, there was sediment). Then reversed the whole jacking procedure.  Seems like there might be a faster, easier way, without getting a big heavy floor jack. Any ideas?

[siteunseen]

Too late but they have low profile jacks that would work. At least you get to spend more time jackin' it.

Edited September 8, 2018 by siteunseen

[SteveJ]

I could have sworn @Carl Beckbought a low rise lift for his garage that could operate with a drill and work underneath. I cannot find the post, though. 

I assume you have a garage, but I figure that being in Redondo Beach it wouldn't be a big garage.

Edit: And then I found it: 

http://becksystems.com/garage/EZCarLift/EZCarLift.htm

 

Edited September 9, 2018 by SteveJ
Found what I was looking to link

[Stanley]

That is better. Nice setup. Not for me at this time but maybe someday.

Edited September 9, 2018 by Stanley

[Carl Beck]

There are several low rise lifts on the market. I liked the EZCar Lift because I could roll in under the sides of the car as well as from the front / rear.  Most of the other offerings block entry from the sides, as their bracing and/or base gets in the way. I also like the fact that the EZCar breaks down easily for light weight and compact storage when not in use. It is a little more expensive than average, but it all mechanical and very well built. It can be operated by a battery powered drill anywhere.

[AlbatrossCafe]

Working under this car for sure is discouraging. I have to use either multiple jacks in succession like you or use my big jack with 1000 tiny little jack movements because the fender of the car is in the way of the jacking arm. And then if you aren't careful you end up punching in the frame rails.

EZ-lift seems cool. Very simple to use. I still don't understand how it secures itself (it seems you don't need jack stands?) But for $1600? Oof.... Might be worth it at $800 for me. Especially since a full-sized one can be had for $1300 - https://www.toolots.com/bolton-tools-floor-plate-two-post-car-lift-l4g-7800lb-220v.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwz93cBRCrARIsAEFbWsiFefCImk7xJTWuPYaAehrfMh3dOy6fM3X4pyQaIlI3Zg-lBq-blVcaAi6BEALw_wcB

I enjoy working under my truck. It has basically the clearance of EZ lift with the tires on the ground ?

Edited September 11, 2018 by AlbatrossCafe

[Zed Head]

Build some low profile ramps, wide, out of wood and use them to get that 2" you need to get your bigger jack under there.  Four fairly thin blocks of wood that you can stack in a corner.  Throw them down, drive up on them, jack the car up and put them back in the corner.  You don't need them when you drop the jack down.  Just a thought.

I bought a full size truck recently and it wasn't long before I built a wide platform from wood to stand on for engine work.  It's the "down" side of trucks.  I changed the oil yesterday with no jacks and no problems 'cause it's high.  Then needed the wooden platform I built to stand on so I could refill it.  And it's not one of those high risers, it's actually on the low side.

Anyway, when you have extra wood laying around ideas come to mind.

[SteveJ]

2 hours ago, AlbatrossCafe said:

Working under this car for sure is discouraging. I have to use either multiple jacks in succession like you or use my big jack with 1000 tiny little jack movements because the fender of the car is in the way of the jacking arm. And then if you aren't careful you end up punching in the frame rails.

EZ-lift seems cool. Very simple to use. I still don't understand how it secures itself (it seems you don't need jack stands?) But for $1600? Oof.... Might be worth it at $800 for me. Especially since a full-sized one can be had for $1300 - https://www.toolots.com/bolton-tools-floor-plate-two-post-car-lift-l4g-7800lb-220v.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwz93cBRCrARIsAEFbWsiFefCImk7xJTWuPYaAehrfMh3dOy6fM3X4pyQaIlI3Zg-lBq-blVcaAi6BEALw_wcB

I enjoy working under my truck. It has basically the clearance of EZ lift with the tires on the ground ?

The thing about a two-post lift is that some people don't have the clearance in their garages for either the height or width. I have a scissor lift (https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-TD6MR-Portable-Scissor-Lift) in my garage and park my Z over it. It rises higher than Carl's lift, but it isn't suitable for transmission work. (I can change the driveshaft while the car is on the lift though.) It's great for brake/suspension work, rotating tires, getting at the gas tank, etc. Between the 2nd Z, tools, shelves, and all of the other stuff in my garage, I don't really have space for a two post lift.