Jack Stand Placement
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
In front of and aft of the doors on the frame rail. If were talking whole car in the air wheels off the ground you will need two more up on the front portion of the frame near the engine block to keep the front clip from sagging over time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
You can put all the jackstands under the car you want, but you don't NEED any under the engine. I just took mine off the 4 stands under the side frame rails. It was there for three months, with no problems. I've done this many times. If your frame sags over time, you've got major problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
You can put all the jackstands under the car you want, but you don't NEED any under the engine. I just took mine off the 4 stands under the side frame rails. It was there for three months, with no problems. I've done this many times. If your frame sags over time, you've got major problems.
I've read here that many others have noticed the same thing. If the motor is out maybe not, but with the motor in it most definitely droops.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
That's interesting BK, you and I have the same year vette. Mine is a late 77 but should be the same in any case. I have zero rust on the frame, yet when I jacked mine by the frame rails only, the nose sagged over time. Not so as you would notice by looking at it, but the door gaps changed and that is how I became aware of it.
I've read here that many others have noticed the same thing. If the motor is out maybe not, but with the motor in it most definitely droops.
I've read here that many others have noticed the same thing. If the motor is out maybe not, but with the motor in it most definitely droops.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I think my car reacts similarly to yours, but the "sagging" occurs instantly and is just a normal result of the car's weight being supported differently than when its on the wheels. If I want to raise only the front end, I put my jack under the crossmember and lift till both front wheels are maybe 5 inches off the ground. I then put jackstands under the frame just behind the front wheels. When I let the jack down, the front end drops another inch or two after the frame is on the 2 jackstands and the front tires are only 2 or 3 inches off the floor. So, you could call that sagging, but really it is just flex due to the cantilever effect. I'm sure brand new 77s did the same thing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,215
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Jack the front up under the center of the front cross member. Use a 2x4 block running length wise across the cross member to keep it from denting. I usually put my stands under the lower shock mounts. You can use a wood block here also if you want.
Rear, I slide the jack in behind the rear wheel and jack--again a wood block-- under the spring mount 4 bolts. Stands, again with a wood block, go diagonally across the frame at the kick up.
Rear, I slide the jack in behind the rear wheel and jack--again a wood block-- under the spring mount 4 bolts. Stands, again with a wood block, go diagonally across the frame at the kick up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,206
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From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
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Personally, I never jack on a cross member front or rear. I put the jack under the side frame rails, just a little nearer the middle of the car than where I want the jack stand. Jack the car, slide in the stand, lower it. Then on to the other side. A few extra minutes but safer. 
I had the car on four stands recently for a few days. As always with most cars, some sagging while it was up, but it returned to normal back on the ground. (Try closing a door of a “real” mini (that’s a Classic now I think) while it’s jacked. Now that is sagging!
) It does look strange though, with the stands apparently a bit too close to the middle of the car. It looks as though it would be easy to tip it off at one end or the other. Thankfully, it isn’t!
I had the car on four stands recently for a few days. As always with most cars, some sagging while it was up, but it returned to normal back on the ground. (Try closing a door of a “real” mini (that’s a Classic now I think) while it’s jacked. Now that is sagging!
) It does look strange though, with the stands apparently a bit too close to the middle of the car. It looks as though it would be easy to tip it off at one end or the other. Thankfully, it isn’t!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 17
From: Pasadena MD
Personally, I never jack on a cross member front or rear. I put the jack under the side frame rails, just a little nearer the middle of the car than where I want the jack stand. Jack the car, slide in the stand, lower it. Then on to the other side. A few extra minutes but safer.
I had the car on four stands recently for a few days. As always with most cars, some sagging while it was up, but it returned to normal back on the ground. (Try closing a door of a “real” mini (that’s a Classic now I think) while it’s jacked. Now that is sagging!) It does look strange though, with the stands apparently a bit too close to the middle of the car. It looks as though it would be easy to tip it off at one end or the other. Thankfully, it isn’t!
I had the car on four stands recently for a few days. As always with most cars, some sagging while it was up, but it returned to normal back on the ground. (Try closing a door of a “real” mini (that’s a Classic now I think) while it’s jacked. Now that is sagging!
) It does look strange though, with the stands apparently a bit too close to the middle of the car. It looks as though it would be easy to tip it off at one end or the other. Thankfully, it isn’t!
