How high is too high?

Why not go from the front, center the jack under the crossmember, and raise the whole front. You can then go til you run out of jack or the back bumper touches the ground.

Excellent question! Before I answer it though, does your response imply that I should be concerned about "twisting" or "distorting" the frame or any other parts? Because whenever possible I use wooden blocks under the tires rather than jack stands in order to maximize the amount of room (or floor space) in which I can work and maneuver about. Of course, if you have any other ideas or suggestions, I be delighted to hear them! Thanks, again! Steve

Steve Forrester wrote:

No, there's no real concern about twisting or anything like that AFAIK, It's just easier, and fewer steps.

"whenever possible I use wooden blocks under the tires" DON'T do that!!! If you want the car blocked under the wheels, USE RAMPS designed for that purpose!!!!! Or place jack stands under the control arms. Wood blocks can split and allow the car to fall.(also, NEVER, NEVER use cinder blocks!!!)It's worth the money for a set of ramps or jack stands to keep your brains from squirting out of your ears. You can get the car higher in a much safer manner using the correct tools. If you don't have the right tools (ramps or stands) you have NO business working on your car! I'm sorry to sound like a prick. I'm sure it sounds like I'm being alarmist, but I've seen too many people get hurt (or get Dead) using substandard methods to hold up their cars.How much is your life worth? I lost 2 close friends who used your method. They had large 12"x12"x12" wooden blocks under the wheels doing a clutch on a Camaro. One block split and overstressed the other block. The second block spit out from under the tire and the car came down on them. Dennis got his skull crushed under the front crossmember and died instantly, Matt was pinned under the tailshaft breaking 8 ribs and doing some internal damage. He died on the way to the hospital. I was standing about 20' away when it happened. I had asked them earlier about jack stands. The reply: " They want a fortune for a good pair of stands... I've used these blocks for years, they're fine..." as they were replacing a $300 clutch in Dennis' toy. (Climbing off of soapbox)

Tom

Tom, Point well taken. Sorry that I caused you to have to revisit a very painful experience in your life. Steve

Make damn sure that the car cannot fall off the blocks. If the car can fall of the blocks, you could find yourself in an ICU if you are lucky.

Jeff

On the bright side, the car was ok.

Safety has to be job # 1. After all, if you don't work safely and get killed, you still won't be able to drive the car.

Jeff

Jeff, You are a royal asshole! Steve

"Steve Forrester" wrote

I've read the other replies and must ask... are you using "blocks" or "planks"?

I've used a stack of short 2x10 planks, slid in one at a time as the wheel is raised, and there's many websites with instructions on cutting planks in decreasing lengths and screwing them together to create your own ramps.

Here's one now:

(...)

\>> Safety has to be job # 1. After all, if you don't work safely and get

Thanks for you kind comments.

Sorry, but safety is extremely important.

Have a good day.

Jeff

Looks good, but you'd probably spend as much for the lumber and fasteners it would take to build these, as you would to buy a set of ramps.

Steve

Jeff, Let's get an outside opinion... Take the complete thread, let your mother read it, and ask her if your comments were insensitive. I assure you, if she thinks you deserve an apology from me for my reaction to your comments, I will provide same in this very forum. Steve

(...)

No apology necessary (either way). You just missed that one my comments was sarcastic.

Jeff

All Grade A 2x4's with 3" coarse thread deck screws...

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