Jacking up a convertible
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
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From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Jacking up a convertible
I have a '98 convertible and I had a quick question about jacking the car up. Basically I've been to two different garages for different reasons (tires and clutch) and they have dealt with the car two different ways.
The garage that put my tires on the car stated that I had to put the top down on my car before they lifted it off the ground. They used a four point lift and lifted the car about 1.5 feet off the ground. So I put the top down, stored it like normal, and they went about their business. No harm done to the car.
The other garage I went to for my clutch also used a four point lift but lifted the car six feet or more into the air. They told me to leave the top up and latched on the car. They also lifted it, went about their business. No hard done to the car.
Now it seems like someone was wrong since it is conflicting information: top up/top down. What is the correct thing to do with the convertible top? I ask because for the first time I'll be changing the oil in my Vette at my house as opposed to a dealer. I'm planning to use Rhino ramps and then jack the back of the car up to ensure I get all the oil out. When I jack it up should I have the top up or down?
Thanks in advance for the help.
The garage that put my tires on the car stated that I had to put the top down on my car before they lifted it off the ground. They used a four point lift and lifted the car about 1.5 feet off the ground. So I put the top down, stored it like normal, and they went about their business. No harm done to the car.
The other garage I went to for my clutch also used a four point lift but lifted the car six feet or more into the air. They told me to leave the top up and latched on the car. They also lifted it, went about their business. No hard done to the car.
Now it seems like someone was wrong since it is conflicting information: top up/top down. What is the correct thing to do with the convertible top? I ask because for the first time I'll be changing the oil in my Vette at my house as opposed to a dealer. I'm planning to use Rhino ramps and then jack the back of the car up to ensure I get all the oil out. When I jack it up should I have the top up or down?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Dix Hills, NY
in the old days you would have to open the trunk and the doors due to body flex when lifting. The C5 convertible is one of the stiffest on the road. You do not need to worry about top up or down- either way will not harm your car in any way. Just make sure they use the jacking pucks 
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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Top up or down, doors open or closed, makes no difference! 
Race Director
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From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Sounds like the first shop was operating on "old" information. Older model 'vettes did have a lot of flex, & poor body-panel fit meant that you could crack panels if lifted incorrectly.
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You can do it either way, but no real advantage to putting the top down anymore.
Le Mans Master
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Fascinating stuff. When they replaced my rear tires recently, the local tire shop cracked both doors open before they lifted it and I figured they must know what they were doing. I figured wrong. 
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Melting Slicks
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From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I can't see the top adding much structural rigidity to anything. Back in the 60's I had a convertible that would flex not allowing the doors to open on a lift but these days it matters not. 
Bob
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Top up or down, doors open or closed, makes no difference!
That about sums it up. The "old days" of Corvettes had fitment and flex issues and required a bit more care for the lift. The C5 does not.Paul
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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Great advice here
And with rocker rails its even stronger and can take a minor grounding.
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
And with rocker rails its even stronger and can take a minor grounding.
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
