Unibody car on jack stands.

J

JimNNN

Well-known member
Haven't had had an old car with unibody construction til the '65 T Bird I bought last year. I need to get underneath to access the trans vacuum mo. valve. I presume the jack stands will go on the big seam weld running the wheel base along the outer edge of the underside, but I thought I'd check with you guys first.



Thanks.
 
if in doubt, jack up the rear axle and front suspension. If I'm going to have my 56 up for long that's what I do... closest to how it sits on it wheels.
 
JimNNN said:
Haven't had had an old car with unibody construction til the '65 T Bird I bought last year. I need to get underneath to access the trans vacuum mo. valve. I presume the jack stands will go on the big seam weld running the wheel base along the outer edge of the underside, but I thought I'd check with you guys first.



Thanks.
Click to expand...
This group should have the right answer ;) http://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=13310
 
JimNNN said:
... unibody construction til the '65 T Bird. I need to get underneath to access the trans vacuum mo. valve. I presume the jack stands will go on the big seam weld running the wheel base along the outer edge of the underside...
Click to expand...

The only way (IMO) to floor jack a uni-body, especially a heavy one, is to either raise the car-

Front - placing the jack under the engine cross-member, or @ control arm mount(s) and raise and place jack-stands. You will notice short rails after the engine cradle. This is where you want the stands.

Rear- either by raising by the center section of the rear and placing the stands under the axle tubes or @ the front spring perch mounts/short frame rail extensions.

Even though there is a special jack pad to raise a car by the outer rocker panel seam, I would advise against it. Doesn't take much here to damage it.

There are also pads available for the stands that will cushion the load of the metal (sheet) to the stand.
 
Thanks guys. I do have the shop manual, but can't find anything in it about leaving the car on jack stands. Don't know how long I'll have it on stands, but I'm guessing less than a day.
 
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