Hey Guys,

My birthday is coming up and I am going to be getting something in order to lift the car so I can work on it. I was wondering what you guys think about some different products.

I don't need recommendations for a HUGE lift or a $1500 lift, I am looking for something simple, to get the car off the ground high enough so I can work on the exhaust, and wheels, etc. (I am going to be putting on a catback this spring, so I need something... I am NOT paying install $$ anymore for dumb stuff I can do myself - We ALL know the parts cost wayy to much as it is, haha)

I was thinking about some jack stands? I would need 4 of them, and then just a simple car jack to get the stands underneath?

Any input is appreciated, obviously I need safety as well, but give me some ideas/recommendations and anything else I would need to consider as far as parts... I know some of you guys use those little ramp type things..? Are those better? Give me some ideas and input guys!

Thanks,

-Mike

 

ttt

 

Make yourself some wooden ramps and buy a GOOD floor jack (Sears). Do a search of the Forum on ramps, there are some real good designs here or just buy rhino ramps. You will need to drive the car up on something (boards) to get the jack under the car, before you try jacking up your car do another search as there are great suggestions and pictures on where to place the jack and using some wood supports between the jack and the bottom on the car frame. Spent some money and get a set of GM manuals for your car and just take your time and enjoy.

 

Do Grey Rhino Ramps. Walmart about $35 per pair. Some good jackstands and a low racing jack (I got a jack and jackstand package for $150 at Pep Boys or Chiefs.

I don't drive the cars up onto the ramps I just jack it up and then place the Ramps under the Tire. My garage is Epoxy with Clear Urethane Finish and the Ramps tend to slide. Lowered on Stock Bolts. Only takes a minute.

So far I've done Catbacks, Sway Bars and most recently LG Long Tube Headers on my son's FRC.:

Don't forget jacking pucks.cheers:

 

Yea I was going to ask about the jacking pucks... I only need one for the floor jack correct?

Or do I need them for the jack stands if I went that route as well?

And why would I need ramps and jackstands? I would need one or the other correct?

Either ramps + jackstands

OR

Floor jack + jackstands

????

 

The ramps alone will sometimes not get you the height you need. Plus if you are working on wheels and/or brakes you'll use the stands. Other times like doing a catback or x-pipe it's nice to have the stands to support the exhaust components as you are bolting them up and getting things aligned.

When I do a catback I lift the rear of the car higher with the jack a place jacktands under it. But for added safety I leave the ramps placed under the wheels.

 

Get a good floor jack (Craftsman makes some good ones), heavy duty jack stands (4) and some Rhino Ramps. That should be enough to get you going.

 

Ok I will start looking into it. I know Craftsman makes some stuff, and obviously the Rhino Ramps, any other brand suggestions for jacks and/or jackstands?

Can the stands and jack all be purchased at a local store? Also how many tons would I need for the jackstands / jack?

These would do the trick? http://www1.acehardwareoutlet.com/(l...Source=froogle

 

Mike, here are a 2 things that are an absolute must for lifting a Corvette and a few options that can make it a little easier.

1. Use a good floor jack rated at at least 1 1/2 ton. I personally have a Aluminum 2 1/2 ton racing jack that lowers to 4"

2. Have 4 jack stands rated at at least 1 1/2 ton each.

3. An option, but handy to have is jacking pucks. you can buy fancy ones for $50 to $75 for a set of 4 or you can do as I did and use a hockey puck and an eye bolt. I made 4 for about $12.

4. An option, but handy is a set of Rhino Ramps. About $35 to $45

5. Another option is to make a couple of low rise ramps out of 2x10 lumber. What you do is cut 4 pieces approx 36" long and bevel one end with a 45 degree miter. Cut 4 pieces approx 18" long and bevel one end 45 degrees. Then put the 18" piece on top of the 36" piece and align the unbeveled edges and attach with countersunk 2 1/2 in wood screws. Use some of the scrap pieces to make stops for the end of the ramp. When you drive up on these they will give a stock vette about 7" of total clearence and allow most floor jacks to reach the preferred jacking points on a C5

6. Here is a link to the prefered jacking points on a C5. http://home.earthlink.net/~theadmira...tible/id5.html

6. In order to get the your jack stands in the prefered location with the least amount of jacking I made a couple of wood pieces out of 2x6 Pressure Treated lumber. Basically they allow you to lift the front or rear of the car and place the 2 jackstands with one lift and keep the load on the correct load point. The one for the front is 26" wide and the one on the back is 20 1/2 " wide. Each have a 2"x6"X3 1/2" block at the load point. You place the jack right in the middle and jack it up.

I've attached pictures of the ones I use.

I can lift my car and place 4 jack stands in about 10 min. I hope this helps.



Front

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Wow, nice writeup Grandpas, thank you so much for your time.

I think right off the bat I am going to grab some Rhino Ramps and a good floor jack, and make some pucks like you did, haha, no pun intended

I am going to be doing a catback first and then by time I need to do the rest of the exhaust I will grab some jack stands.

Looks like I will be making a trip to sears in the next week or so... Thanks again!

 

I have a lift and I have people over all the time to do one or two day jobs. They use my garage we have a little fun and then it cost them a few drinks later. Its good the belong to a car club and share the resources.

 

Yea I know I will be able to do the catback myself, but hopefully when it comes time for the Headers and possibly even some more extreme stuff down the line, I can find someone(s) around my area with some more experience who would be willing to help out