Need a little help figuring something out

[Ron Sutton]

After re-reading the above and thinking about how I'm going to do this, I do not think using a drive on lift is going to help. Sure it's the best way to get all four tires level and gain access to under the car, but I can't see how I can get accurate measurements to the floor with the lift ramps in the way?

You can use a drive on lift. I have seen it used successfully many times & it is the easiest by far. In this scenario, you don't measure to the shop floor ... you measure to the lift "floor." Take a long string with bob weights on each end (or simply heavy bolts) and lay them across each ramp. That string line is a VERY good measuring point and can be easily moved to take measurements "almost" anywhere.

With this method, you are still putting all 6 of your frame measurements on the lift ramps, but then you run a long string (instead of a chalk line) & it hangs over the ends of the lift. Once you have the string at the car's true center, mark the ends of the lift where the string goes (just in case it moves). Use bob weights or heavy bolts to keep tension on it & tape it in place (duct tape here).



Now you have a string running down the centerline of the car at ground level. Most old school chassis builders prefer this method. You can take your strings & weights that run overs the sides of the lift ramp runners & move them "almost" anywhere to get a measurement.

This method also works well with a laser lever set (level) on the ramp runners & pointed where ever you need a line. You just need to take the distance of the laser above the ramp runner into your math.

Another method for measuring a lot of the front suspension points that are near the front axle CL, is cutting a piece of STRAIGHT, square tubing (or angle) slightly shorter than the distance BETWEEN your front tires. You simply lay it on the ramp runners & move it anywhere you want to measure something ... running your tape to the bottom of it ... which is your floor.


I think I'm going to make a set of these.



and use a laser level to make sure I get them all exactly level and square on my slightly sloped shop floor and use my two post lift to set the car on them before starting the measuring process. My only other obstacle that I can think of right now is the linear floor drain that runs right down the center between the posts of my lift. I guess I can set my car up to one side or the other of it so the snapped center line has a clear surface to be on.

I also have to figure out a way to get the front tires to relax to a normal position once setting on the stands as it'll be hard to roll it back and forth once on them.

Ideas? I can NOT get under my car as it sits at ride height, heck it's hard enough to just get a floor jack under it to raise it up.

These wheel stands will work too. But not as easy or accurate as the drive on lift ... because the floor ... your real floor is not as straight as a a string. Having the drain in the middle sounds concerning, but you know it best. If you don't think the floor is flat & straight enough, I'd pick another option. If the floor is flat enough, of course it will work. But I still prefer the drive on lift.


If anyone has any questions, feel free to chime in on this thread.



Ron Sutton