Drive it up, then set it down

[Peter N.]

I'm looking to remove all the wheels (I'll probably remove the tires at the same time) from my coupe.

I would like to drive it on my 4 post lift & then lower it unto supports, then drop the ramps. It would stay for a day or two, until the new wheels are installed. Obviously, I can't put the jack stands under the side rails, since they would be on the lift's ramps.

I know I could just use a floor jack & lift the front, place stands & then the rear, but I paid a lot of money for the lift, and da__ it, I want to use it.

Any insights on where to place the supports?....thanks.

[Martin M.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

I considered this problem when I was shopping for a lift. At the time, about 15 years ago, the only lift I could find was made by Eagle and was a much larger one than I wanted at 15k lbs. I bought it and I have never regretted it. I bought it with longer ramps that are 22" wide and can be moved from side to side for various chassis widths. This allows me to locate the wheels on the inside or outside of the ramp, depending on my needs.

At the time it only cost about $400 more. And it holds my Chevy crew cab dooley, my 32 highboy roadster, and anything in between. I find my 12' ceiling height plenty for any task, including parking another car underneath. I post this for information only for those who might be considering the purchase of a lift not to criticize.

Incidentally I have 2 other 7K lifts for storage. I would not think of doing on them the things I do on the big one.

MVC-369S.JPG

[Peter N.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

Thanks for the suggestion Dave, but that sounds more time consuming then just using the floorjack at the front & then the rear...not to mention killing me back from moving the lumber.
I kinda thought it might get complicated trying to utilize the lift.

[Duke W.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

I know I could just use a floor jack & lift the front, place stands & then the rear, but I paid a lot of money for the lift, and da__ it, I want to use it.

Do it that way. Save the lift for the next oil change. Why try to turn a simple wheel swap into a Cecil B DeMill production?

Duke

[Peter N.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

Do it that way. Save the lift for the next oil change. Why try to turn a simple wheel swap into a Cecil B DeMill production?
Duke

In order to get the semi-naked toga dancers?

[Richard M.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

In order to get the semi-naked toga dancers?

Great line Peter. How in the heck are you? It's been a long time since we spoke when you were buying your '66 a few years ago in the Orlando area, and on the forums. So sorry to hear about Willie. My cocker spaniel buddy Nikki, my restorer helper and road trip shotgunner has lots of ills but is still with us at almost 14 yrs old now. Yesterday wife and i took him in the C6 coupe to the Mt Dora antique boat show with us, 5 hr round trip. He sleeps in the rear trunk area the whole way, a good doggie. Time is precious with him these days.

I have to agree with Duke though, just do it that way, but I might have a slight modification to the plan. How many jackstands do you have? Get 4 total, and use your lift as a 4 point jack, raise the car, and like using the cribs, place your 4 jackstands under the front and rear (differential) crossmembers just inside the lift ramps, with wooden blocks on top to protect and distribute the weight. Lower down and all 4 are off the ground.

The only other option for future work is to get a pair of trolley jacks made for the lift, but pricey.

I just acquired a Challenger 9k lb 4 post lift last Thursday. Too busy to install it but I can't wait. Need to reaarange furniture in the shop before I put it up.

Rich

[William F.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

Better look at the Chassis service manual first to see places where it's acceptable to use a jack or jack stand on a C2. Frame rails, front of frame, not cross members or rear diff housing-don't want to bend something.

[Duke W.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

I always use a jack with a 2 x 4 x 4 wood block to raise the front on the front cross member and the rear on the strut rod bracket. Nothing ever dented, bent, or broke.

I have a couple of cars that I swap tires on fairly frequently (DOT legal racing and summer high performance). I jack up the front and place jackstands at the jack points along the frame rails, then raise the rear with the floor jack. Since I'm not crawling under the car, this is does not compromise safety.

Duke

[Peter N.]

Re: Drive it up, then set it down

Thanks for all the tips, guys. Will sort through them, toss a coin, & pick one of them.

Richard, tried to send a PM but this came up;
Richard Mozzetta (13499) has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.