How do you safely work under your car?

[Tony_SS]

I'm not too fond of jackstands.

I was thinking of using this method. Thoughts?

[Robert-Malibu]

I'm spoiled, I use a lift. But I don't see anything around with the pic you have other than how are you going to get it down. You would have to raise the car really high to get it off the blocks since the suspension would have to drop down.

[absintheisfun]

I use the lincoln log method, and just to be extra safe I have a tie-down strap (10,000lb rated) that I loop around one of my back tires and around the bottom of the stand...there is no way that car is coming off of the stands.

The great thing about the wooden stands (lincoln logs) is that you can add to them if you want to stand higher, and total cost to make them is about $10.00!

[Tony_SS]

Robert, If I'm able to jack up the car high enough to slide those under, I'll be able to lift it high enough to slide them out.

I use the lincoln log method, and just to be extra safe I have a tie-down strap (10,000lb rated) that I loop around one of my back tires and around the bottom of the stand...there is no way that car is coming off of the stands.

The great thing about the wooden stands (lincoln logs) is that you can add to them if you want to stand higher, and total cost to make them is about $10.00!

Have any reference pics?

[NOT A TA]

When I built my stackable wheel cradles I also built stackable platform sections for the jacks. I can raise a car up 2 full feet with my current setup (double what you see below). Cost was nothing for the wood, I disassembled shipping skids for the 2 X 4's. I made the wheel cradles long enough to allow the car to roll a little to compensate for the movement necessary because the jacks don't lift straight up. This prevents tipping of the cradles while raising the car. There are 4 "top sections" of the wheel cradles with a flat surface while the rest of the sections are the typical 2 x 4 blocks. Same deal with the jack support sections, top section has a flat surface and the lower ones are just 2 X's. Jack platforms are nice for trucks and other tall vehicles rather than stacking blocks on the jack pad.

EDIT: I realized after posting that the truck pic below shows no supports. I was not going to work under the truck, just needed the front wheels off the ground so I could rotate them by hand to bleed the power steering. DO NOT WORK UNDER A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY SUPPORTED BY A JACK!

[Tony_SS]

Very nice. I see you made yours stackable. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I really don't want to do a base for the jack.

In my pic in the OP, I counted 7 2x4's high so that's only 10.5" high, which doesn't seem like much, but looks like enough from that picture. And you have 8 with gives 12". I don't think I'll need a jack base if I lift under the rear diff to keep the suspension loaded, block the rear wheels, then use a jack for the front center and use a 2nd jack under each a-arm to do the front wheels one at a time.

[trapin]

I am not a fan of jackstands at all. I used 4X4 blocks that I stitched together that I use underneath my car ramps on all 4 tires. I also made one for the floor jack. I wish I had done the stackable setup like I see here.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

We use the wooden stands (interlocking 2x4s, and sometimes 4x4s), and have had no issues. We build them in varying heights, so they can be tailored to the job. They are especially good if your lift is tied up, or you're doing more of a long term project and don't want to tie up the lift.

[Kenova]

I like to pull the wheels of if I'm doing any long term work so I use stands. Each stand is rated for 6 tons and I usually have six of them under the car. This might sound nuts, but I try to shake the car off of the stands before I get under the car. Better to have something go wrong before I get under it.
The wooden cribbing shown in the previous photos is a good Idea. I can see how you would have much more room to move around under the car as opposed to using stands.

Ken

[Jim Nilsen]

I like to pull the wheels of if I'm doing any long term work so I use stands. Each stand is rated for 6 tons and I usually have six of them under the car. This might sound nuts, but I try to shake the car off of the stands before I get under the car. Better to have something go wrong before I get under it.
The wooden cribbing shown in the previous photos is a good Idea. I can see how you would have much more room to move around under the car as opposed to using stands.

Ken

I 2nd the 6 ton jack stands and shaking the car to make sure it's stable. Taking the wheels off is the other reason to have jack stands.

I have said it more than once that wood is good but steel is real when it comes to strength, I have rarely seen steel beams break but have seen plenty of wood go crack and split when loaded to the max. it makes me nervous to hear the popping and creaking of wood loading up with weight.

If you position your jackstands right you can build the whole car on them, I did!

[grenade inspector]

personally I'd take the wood over a lift for most things and certainly over jackstands. That's just what I'm comfortable with

[DartorDemon]

I am not a fan of jackstands at all.

why?

I've used jackstands for years. I've never really heard of someone complaining about them.

[moreHP]

Well I use jackstands and havent had any problems. I just make sure they are on a very stable part and mine have a slight cradle that works great under the rear diff. I always shake the car to make sure there is no wiggle before I do any work and I usually leave the jack under there as a back up if its not going to be in the way of what I plan on working on. The only other thing I have used is the platform part of those drive up ramps. Mine had a removable ramp so I tossed those and just used the platform.

[1red68]

i use stands and blocks, depends what my needs are at that time.
I'm trying to fine enough material to build some stands like these from Ironworks. I think they rock.

[Steve68]

And the 2x4's block stands make great seats for hangn' in the garage!!!

[Taylor1969]

How does everyone feel about these?

http://www.discountramps.com/wheel-cribs.htm



Even though they are about $200 they weigh next to nothing so storage should be good - they are also rated to a very high weight with helps for peace of mind...

[wmhjr]

Halfway through my build I broke down and installed a lift. I don't know why I waited so long. It is the best tool I own - bar none. And mine is only a "mid" high lift (MaxJax that I've installed in a more permanent fashion).

For other purposes I use jack stands, and have with no problems whatsoever.

[John Wright]

I like jackstands too....however, they require a stable base(ie flat concrete) to ensure they won't tip over. I use the large stands so that when lifting fairly high they won't be extended all the way out. There is something about a fully extended jackstand that doesn't sit well with me. I have some 10" x 10" x 5/8" wall square tubing x 10" that I welded a 1" thick x 12" x 12" plate to the top and bottom to sit the stands on if needed to go any higher than the stands allow(gives me another foot of altitude).

[Tony_SS]

How does everyone feel about these?

http://www.discountramps.com/wheel-cribs.htm



Even though they are about $200 they weigh next to nothing so storage should be good - they are also rated to a very high weight with helps for peace of mind...

Those look nice. I'm working with limited space, so I like those in that they'll store easily too. Another reason they are a good idea is that I can work around those alot easier with a creeper.

[NOT A TA]

I should have added in my earlier post that I have a 2 post lift available and 8 jackstands as well as the wood cradles and I consider them all tools. They are different tools for different jobs although they may perform a similar function. A car on the wide base wood wheel cradles is more stable than jackstands simply because the footprint is bigger. The closer to the center of the car jackstands are positioned the less stable the car is. When you need to work on frame, floorpans etc. the wood cradles are good. If you need to work on wheels, brakes, suspension etc. then the jackstands are better. Different tools for different jobs.