need fast help on jacking question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 234
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From: 1987- L98, auto OH
need fast help on jacking question
Ok, I need to jack up my 1987 C4 to check and change out the brakes. I really don't want to haul out the regular Vette jack for this job as I already have a regular floor jack that should work. But in trying to get it under the car, there is not enough clearance going in from the front to catch the cross member to raise it by.
Is it ok to use a regular floor jack at the "jack points" that are under the sides of the car in back of the front tire and in front of the rear tire? This is the point where the regular jack goes. I was wondering if the regular floor jack would damage that lip under there or flex the fiberglass fender panel there and crack it. Using my floor jack would be easier over all, but I didn't want to ruin anything. Sorry for the stupidity, but this is my first Vette and I'm still a newbie to this car.
If you use some other method other than the regular jack, what do you use? MANY thanks for any assistance offered.
Brad
Is it ok to use a regular floor jack at the "jack points" that are under the sides of the car in back of the front tire and in front of the rear tire? This is the point where the regular jack goes. I was wondering if the regular floor jack would damage that lip under there or flex the fiberglass fender panel there and crack it. Using my floor jack would be easier over all, but I didn't want to ruin anything. Sorry for the stupidity, but this is my first Vette and I'm still a newbie to this car.
If you use some other method other than the regular jack, what do you use? MANY thanks for any assistance offered.
Brad
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,021
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: need fast help on jacking question (1987C4)
I use a regular floor jack w/ a small "cup" to grab at the metal part just behind the plastic - no issues for me, be careful on your first try - 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 234
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From: 1987- L98, auto OH
Re: need fast help on jacking question (*89x2*)
Sounds great as this would be the easiest way to go. I am confused as to the "small cup" reference. Is this built into your jack's lift head or is it some kind of "add-on" to a regular jack? If it's built in, what is the brand or where did you buy it? I really need to get this thing in the air, but don't need to break anything in the process. Thanks much for your help! Brad
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 234
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From: 1987- L98, auto OH
Re: need fast help on jacking question (1987C4)
Oh, by the way. A guy at Sears Auto told me that you need to pop the hood and open both doors before jacking a Vette as not doing this may lead to cracked door panels or other fiberglass breakage. Has anyone else heard this? Again, thanks for your help and patience. Brad
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: need fast help on jacking question (1987C4)
Get some 2 x 6's and drive up on them. That will give you the clearance you need to jack from the front.
I have jacked my car up with the hood up, down, doors open, closed. Never had a problem yet, just make sure your doors are closed before you close your hood.
I have jacked my car up with the hood up, down, doors open, closed. Never had a problem yet, just make sure your doors are closed before you close your hood.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 234
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From: 1987- L98, auto OH
Re: need fast help on jacking question (Mr Mojo)
Wow! 2X6's! What a great idea! Mr MoJo you are awesome! That would provide just enough to clear the low headroom problem! Thanks for that suggestion. I'll stop by the lumber yard tomorrow! It's the simple solutions that sometimes seem to elude me! Brad
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,021
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: need fast help on jacking question (1987C4)
Oh, by the way. A guy at Sears Auto told me that you need to pop the hood and open both doors before jacking a Vette as not doing this may lead to cracked door panels or other fiberglass breakage. Has anyone else heard this? Again, thanks for your help and patience. Brad
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: need fast help on jacking question (1987C4)
You could even go 2 x 8, but 2 x 6 is what I had laying around.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Huntsville AL
Re: need fast help on jacking question (*89x2*)
Oh, by the way. A guy at Sears Auto told me that you need to pop the hood and open both doors before jacking a Vette as not doing this may lead to cracked door panels or other fiberglass breakage. Has anyone else heard this? Again, thanks for your help and patience. Brad
old wives tale
old wives tale
So I'd leave everything closed, at least until you get it up on four stable jackstands.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: baton rouge la
Ok, I need to jack up my 1987 C4 to check and change out the brakes. I really don't want to haul out the regular Vette jack for this job as I already have a regular floor jack that should work. But in trying to get it under the car, there is not enough clearance going in from the front to catch the cross member to raise it by.
Is it ok to use a regular floor jack at the "jack points" that are under the sides of the car in back of the front tire and in front of the rear tire? This is the point where the regular jack goes. I was wondering if the regular floor jack would damage that lip under there or flex the fiberglass fender panel there and crack it. Using my floor jack would be easier over all, but I didn't want to ruin anything. Sorry for the stupidity, but this is my first Vette and I'm still a newbie to this car.
If you use some other method other than the regular jack, what do you use? MANY thanks for any assistance offered.
Brad
Is it ok to use a regular floor jack at the "jack points" that are under the sides of the car in back of the front tire and in front of the rear tire? This is the point where the regular jack goes. I was wondering if the regular floor jack would damage that lip under there or flex the fiberglass fender panel there and crack it. Using my floor jack would be easier over all, but I didn't want to ruin anything. Sorry for the stupidity, but this is my first Vette and I'm still a newbie to this car.
If you use some other method other than the regular jack, what do you use? MANY thanks for any assistance offered.
Brad
that have ground effect like (greenwood,motorsports) 1992 conv. I bought new tires and rims and could not find someone to jack up the car ?? than I found two co. that said they could and when I got there they said they couldn't do it ??????
Than I found someone who said he could so we tried BAD MOVE
we scratched the front first so we tried backing in and scratched the back up, then we used 2x6 but it scrapped the
sides up???? What can we do ?? I even called greenwood
about the problem but no answer??? please HELP
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
My Vette's low and I also have a Lowered PT Cruiser with leg pipes. I bought a low profile, light weight, 3000lb floor jack from Harbor Freight Tools for $89 and solved my jacking problems. It's 3" from floor to saddle height. Backed it up with a Sears racing jack, also low profile so now I can get both sides up without a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
then we used 2x6 but it scrapped the
sides up???? What can we do ??
lay the 2x6's flat
drive the tires onto the 2x6's,you may need to buy a longnosed jack to clear that kit.
dont put the jack onto the plastic part that says "jack here". it will be noticeable if you do.
look just behind where it says jack here and theres a rib.thats what you want the jack to hit on.it doesnt loook like much but its tough.
its also thin is why its best to use a puck of some sort in a common floor jacks head so you have a nice flat surface for it to hit on.i used a circular piece of 1 1/8 plywood on mine but it depends on the jack.ive also jacked it with just the standard jack with no probs.
both tires up on either side from the fron jack point,all doors hood etc closed and windows up is what i been doing just because it seems to me that the car is most rigid that way.
ive even read its recommended to crack the doors open when using a 4 point hoist on a vette.
i just cant see the logic in doing it.
sides up???? What can we do ??
lay the 2x6's flat
drive the tires onto the 2x6's,you may need to buy a longnosed jack to clear that kit.dont put the jack onto the plastic part that says "jack here". it will be noticeable if you do.
look just behind where it says jack here and theres a rib.thats what you want the jack to hit on.it doesnt loook like much but its tough.
its also thin is why its best to use a puck of some sort in a common floor jacks head so you have a nice flat surface for it to hit on.i used a circular piece of 1 1/8 plywood on mine but it depends on the jack.ive also jacked it with just the standard jack with no probs.
both tires up on either side from the fron jack point,all doors hood etc closed and windows up is what i been doing just because it seems to me that the car is most rigid that way.
ive even read its recommended to crack the doors open when using a 4 point hoist on a vette.
i just cant see the logic in doing it.
