Jacks and Stands

Cracker39

Cracker39

Senior Member
We use to jack cars up from the differential to put stands in place but, I thought I'd ask first if there's any reason why you shouldn't lift a Model A that way? I've also been struggling to find a tall enough set of stands to spot under the chassis so that the wheels will be clear of the ground when I let off on the jack. ---and last, I have to admit that the idea of working under the car when it's simply supported on stands, to pull the rear axle and driveshaft out, after dismounting the rear wheels, makes me a bit nervous! Any suggestions or soothing words?
 
1931 flamingo said:
Been done that way for 80+ years.
Block the front wheels.
paul in CT
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It's the specifics that bothers me - i.e., relying on the stands when the rear axle is removed. I've earned my stripes working under cars on a rack but, at 76, I'm none too anxious to hasten my demise!
 
To get jack stands high enough to be able to support the rear from the frame so that rear-end work can be done, you will have to go to at least 6-ton jacks. Just make sure you never try to use those cheapie 3-legged stamped metal jacks, unless, that is, you want your wife to cash in on your insurance sooner than later.
 
Go to one of the big box stores and buy a 6x6, have the cut to your measurements. Use as additional support to the jack stands. A little extra safety never hurts.
 
CarlG said:
To get jack stands high enough to be able to support the rear from the frame so that rear-end work can be done, you will have to go to at least 6-ton jacks. Just make sure you never try to use those cheapie 3-legged stamped metal jacks, unless, that is, you want your wife to cash in on your insurance sooner than later.
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I hear you! There have been numerous incidents here in Maine where guys have been crushed by a car falling off the jacks or other supports. Granted, most of the incidents were the result of stupid mistakes, or the victim being too poor to have good equipment - i.e., cinder blocks, stacked rims, log sections, etc.
 
Jwilli said:
Go to one of the big box stores and buy a 6x6, have the cut to your measurements. Use as additional support to the jack stands. A little extra safety never hurts.
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That's what I'm looking for - that little "extra margin" of safety.
 
Here is what I do for adding height to jack stands when needed.

Cut a 2"x10" and a 2"x4" 12 3/4"s long.
Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood 12 3/4" square.
Using 2 1/2"" screws attach the 2"x4" and 2"x10" to the plywood.
Put another matching piece of 3/4" plywood over the 2"x4" and 2"x10" making a "sandwich".
Add another set of 2x's (off set from the first two so the joints don't line up) and one more sheet of plywood. Make sure that you have a plywood "cap" on the top and bottom of the stack!
This way you end up with plywood on the bottom, 2x's, plywood, 2x's and plywood on the top.
Set your jack stand on this. Very stable and will not split like logs, rail road ties etc...
You can make several sets and stack two or even three stacks together for added height.
 
1crosscut said:
Here is what I do for adding height to jack stands when needed.

Cut a 2"x10" and a 2"x4" 12 3/4"s long.
Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood 12 3/4" square.
Using 2 1/2"" screws attach the 2"x4" and 2"x10" to the plywood.
Put another matching piece of 3/4" plywood over the 2"x4" and 2"x10" making a "sandwich".
Add another set of 2x's (off set from the first two so the joints don't line up) and one more sheet of plywood. Make sure that you have a plywood "cap" on the top and bottom of the stack!
This way you end up with plywood on the bottom, 2x's, plywood, 2x's and plywood on the top.
Set your jack stand on this. Very stable and will not split like logs, rail road ties etc...
You can make several sets and stack two or even three stacks together for added height.
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I once had 4 jack stands, tall enough to sit up on a creeper, under the car. We lifted the car with 2 old fashioned Bay-Lifts. Used these to lower the engine & trans, out the bottom of XKE-Jaguars, just to replace the clutch!
WARNING: I USED A VALVE FOR A PIN IN 1 stand, ONLY, WHEN PUTTING THEM AWAY, I HELD THE STAND IN THE HIGHEST POSITION, PUT THE VALVE IN THE TOP HOLE, DROPPED THE POST, TO IRRITATE MY BUDDY NEXT TO ME:D---------IT SHEARED THE VALVE:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Since then, I've NEVER trusted a valve for a PIN:eek::eek::eek:
Bill W.
Bill W.
 
I have a set of 3 ton 4 leg stands with the cast iron ratchet center post, and also have a set of the same stands in 6 ton rating, and I've never had a problem or worry when using them. I use them in sets of 4 so the frame stays level on the stand. If you jack up one end only and use 2 jack stands the frame will be at an angle on the stand, and this makes it easier to push itself off the stand. Once the frame is high enough for the rear tires to clear the floor I can then remove the rear wheels and have enough clearance to use the floorjack under the rear end to lower it and roll it out the rear.
 
I have found a solution to working under the car for a reasonable price. Backyard Budddy has a new product called "Easy Access" the cost is $699.00 "Not Cheap" but if you have a garage with a 8' ceiling or do not want to spend big bucks on a lift that may be the way to go. I have not purchased yet "Saving My Money"

Has anyone purchased one of these yet?
 
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I have a set of 4 SUV/Pickup jack stands. They are taller and heavier duty than standard auto ones and you can place them on the frame rails for rear end and front spring removal and have plenty of room to work. If memory serves me correctly they were about $30 +/- a pair at Advance auto with the online (P20 discount code seems to always work for me). I just ordered on line and they were in stock at my local store for pickup. I also have a set of the shorter ones if I want to support the axles at a more comfortable height for other work.
 
inex01 said:
I have found a solution to working under the car for a reasonable price. Backyard Budddy has a new product called "Easy Access" the cost is $699.00 "Not Cheap" but if you have a garage with a 8' ceiling or do not want to spend big bucks on a lift that may be the way to go. I have not purchased yet "Saving My Money"

Has anyone purchased one of these yet?
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I just talked to a Backyard Buddy representative and he's sending me an E-mail with more information. It looks like a great product if you can justify its' cost, plus the cost of a good high lift floor jack. I know it would have great re-sale value in this area if I ever wanted to get rid of it.
 
Having had a jack failure almost crush my legs when in high school, I always use two supports at each point....a wheeled floor jack and a jack stand.

Glen
 
I got lucky on craigs list last year and found 4 Blackhawk 10 ton stands for $100.00. God awful heavy and big, but take a lot of room to store. They adjust from 19" to 28". Overkill for sure but no worry about tipping or shearing pins and they have 4 wide legs. They make a 6 ton version that is similar.
After 40 years playing with A's I feel blessed.
Mark in SW Idaho.
 
I shudder when someone climbs under, with ONLY a floor jack. What if a rubber seal ring or a structural part BROKE!
Once saw a man crushed to death @ Cadillac. when a cable broke on his hoist!! Another similar one, but he had his rollaway under the car & that saved him!
Bill W.
 
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After looking at the E-mail that Backyard Buddy sent me, I'm definitely impressed with their stands - especially the fact that the stands are built as pairs, affording tremendous stability.
 
One of our fellow enthusiasts had a garage with sufficient height and an overhead I-beam. It was easy for him to hook onto the frame at the rear of the car and lift the entire back end with a block and tackle. Jack stands and jack would be placed under the car for additional support. If you do it this way, just make sure the block and tackle has clearance from the body so that it won't scuff your paint, or worse yet, interfere with body panels and cause dents.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
I once had 4 jack stands, tall enough to sit up on a creeper, under the car. We lifted the car with 2 old fashioned Bay-Lifts. Used these to lower the engine & trans, out the bottom of XKE-Jaguars, just to replace the clutch!
WARNING: I USED A VALVE FOR A PIN IN 1 stand, ONLY, WHEN PUTTING THEM AWAY, I HELD THE STAND IN THE HIGHEST POSITION, PUT THE VALVE IN THE TOP HOLE, DROPPED THE POST, TO IRRITATE MY BUDDY NEXT TO ME:D---------IT SHEARED THE VALVE:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Since then, I've NEVER trusted a valve for a PIN:eek::eek::eek:
Bill W.
Bill W.
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Ahhhh,...the good old days!
I did an E-type about 6-8 years ago,..I wouldn't do one now,..unless I owned it! The fastest one I had on the ground was 3hours 5 minutes,..
but that was 40 years ago..
 
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