please read...everyone JACKSTANDS!

[Sinner]

I have seen to many crushed ramps for me to ever use them.

 

[JackalUO]

what if I use the jack and the stands, jack as the primary support and stands as the secondary? For safety reasons

 

[1gGstKid]

what if I use the jack and the stands, jack as the primary support and stands as the secondary? For safety reasons

After you jack up the car and place the stands in the correct spot, you can remove the jack. The jack is basically used to get the car in the air.

 

[Defiant]

I use Rhino ramps. For a DSM, they're bulletproof.

 

[TurboD17]

depending on how low your car is, ramps are no good. I can't use my ramps anymore so i've become a custom to using the stands. I like them both and recommend them both. just make sure you can get on the ramps.

 

[1stGenRocks]

and it doesn't matter how old you are. you should never work on your car without someone around who knows you're out there and an idea of how long you'll be 'till your done.

 

[Defiant]

you should never work on your car without someone around who knows you're out there

Even better if it's someone who likes you.

 

[kmoore]

Does anybody know the CORRECT way to put jack stands under a car? What i mean is, is it alright to put two jack stands in the front and none in the back? Or vice versa? The reason i ask is that i got two jack stands handed down to me from my grandfather and i just want to know if this is alright to just use two? I am a 15 year old kid and i would rather not have something like this happen to me. If you know what i mean

 

[steve]

If your only lifting/jacking one end of the car you want to put wheel chocks on the other end to keep the car from moving. Then it's safe to use the stands the one end as long as they are placed in such a way the the car isn't going to fall off and have them punch a hole.

Steve

 

[1stGenRocks]

If your only lifting/jacking one end of the car you want to put wheel chocks on the other end to keep the car from moving. Then it's safe to use the stands the one end as long as they are placed in such a way the the car isn't going to fall off and have them punch a hole.

Steve

You also want to make sure that the car isn't going to seesaw on them. If you put them too far towards the middle the weight of the engine will make the car very unstable.

 

[kmoore]

If your only lifting/jacking one end of the car you want to put wheel chocks on the other end to keep the car from moving. Then it's safe to use the stands the one end as long as they are placed in such a way the the car isn't going to fall off and have them punch a hole.

Steve

Could you explain to me exactly what are wheel shocks? And for the most part i am only getting under the front of the car so if i just pull up the e-brake, won't that stop the back wheels from moving and keep the car in place?

 

[leet]

You know those things they put around airplane wheels to keep them from moving?

They look like little wedges on a rope. Those are wheel chocks.

I prefer not to trust the e-brake but hey, it's your life, not mine.

 

[Caithness]

I admit I get lazy with the chocks. Although, I have had cars up on jackstands with no ebrake, not in gear, and they didn't roll off, but I wouldn't try getting under a car like that.

My driveway is a steep hill and I've actually worked under my car quite a bit with the front of the car on jackstands, but always with chocks. I tried putting it up on four jackstands on the hill once, and it nearly fell off them. I much prefer going over to my friend's place and working in his garage now- and working on cars with friends is always more fun anyway.

 

[steve]

Anything that you can put around the tire that will keep it from rolling works as a chock.
Beside the nice commerical ones a piece of 2x4, firewood, brick, etc.

Steve

 

[pagosa dsm]

i am a moble tool dealer. the competive tool dealer's father died from not having a jack stand under the car. when i go into a shop and notice a teck is not using jack stands i insist that he get some jack stands. if he does'nt i always go to the forman. we as a group we must alway insist that everybody use them

 

[mans1ay3r]

I was sort of wondering as well, only I'm going to change my exhaust and I've never done it before, so I'm not sure how long it will take me. I was thinking of getting two pairs of 2 ton jack stands to lift my car up but I was wondering, do I need to have the entire car raised to install a new catback?

Also, I know people put cinder blocks underneath for more height but wouldnt that add an extra touch of safety as well? Trying to prevent any accidents and trying not to go to a shop for a bolt on. meh...

 

[wret]

If all you ever plan to do is your exhaust and an occasional oil change, ramps (for an un-lowered car) and chocks will be okay. If you plan to routinely work on the car, get a good hydraulic floor jack and stands.

 

[Raph]

I bought a few jacks in the past.. all crapy (they were cheap)
no i got an aluminum jack that has a 3.5" high plate..i can get it easily under my car(lowered)

My point.. buy a jack once ,buy a more expensive one with dual cylinders(pumps up to chasis in 3 pumps)
As for jackstands,you cant go wrong,anyone will do really.. i got me a set of 4 3t stands..

 

[vr4play]

I use rhino ramps for the quick oil changes, or engine work where I don't want to bend over as far. For any extensive under car work, I use 6 ton jack stands to get it up off the ground a good bit.

 

[silver eclipse]

For installing the exhaust you will want more hieght then the ramps provide. A good set of jack stands and a nice jack will do good.
-Chad

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

I use ramps and stands. First I drive up on the ramps in order to get clearance for my jack, then I use stands. When I work under my car I take no risks and use ramps and 4 stands. Getting crushed for laziness, carelessness, or being cheap is one stupid way to die.

 

[snox135]

AMS sells ramp for lowered cars. They don't look real high but enough to get a jack under the car.

 

[thekellbeast]

For installing the exhaust you will want more hieght then the ramps provide. A good set of jack stands and a nice jack will do good.
-Chad

I agree. When we did my exhaust (2 weeks ago) we used a really large floor jack to lift up one side of the car. We had the driver's side up on jackstands as high as they would go, and the car looked goofy as hell. With just the driver's side up, we had enough clearance to work on the exhaust.

I have a smaller floor jack, but my friend's is the biggest they sell at VIP, and it's the one he uses to jack up his lifted Xterra. Really handy.

 

[Defiant]

Also, I know people put cinder blocks underneath for more height but wouldnt that add an extra touch of safety as well?

No. Cinder blocks will not reliably support a car. And a car falling on them from a few inches will almost guarantee their failure.

 

[n0va91TSI]

I was thinking about finding a tall curb or something taller next to a road and putting something to ride up on to it intitially. How tall would i need it to be to do a catback? Im a cheap a$$