Floor jack maximum height question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: CT
You're too kind but some may question why I also spent the additional $98. on the "cribs", instead of just using the jack. Or, at least a pair of inexpensive stands (I'll end up getting those too probably, for the purpose of yanking the wheels on occasion). I wanted to be able to travel freely under the car (sides with the XT-2's and front to back). All in all, it's alot cheaper than the KwikLift that I was strongly considering. I'd of had to buy a jack and stands for it too.
http://www.asedeals.com/flat-top-jack-stands.html
Mine are in transit...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
I thought you were going to buy the jack stands anyway?
http://www.asedeals.com/flat-top-jack-stands.html
Mine are in transit...
http://www.asedeals.com/flat-top-jack-stands.html
Mine are in transit...
My priority right now is changing the oil. Still not sure which jack to get though???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
I use a combo of XT ramps and a Sears floor jack. I don't like jacking from the rear because it's to easy for a floor jack to roll backwards with the car on it. The only way you can secure the front end when on ramps is with wheels chocks (not the greatest) or a safety line on the front tied to something solid.
What I usually do is place some boards I made that are 10" wide x 4" high and 3' long directly behind the front wheels. I then back my vette up the XT' ramps that are in the rear. With the front end an extra 4" higher and it's pretty easy to get the floor jack under the front. I should add the front boards were cut at an angle so the car rolls up easily as I back up the XT ramps.
Now you can then jack the car from the front and the car can't move as it's left in reverse with the hand brake on. If you go with jacking up the rear with the front up on the ramps just make sure you really secure the car from being able to move (roll)......
You'd be surprised how easy it can roll when up on the floor jack....
When I have to jack from the rear here's how I secure the car. That's a 10,000 strap and there is no way the car ever roll backwards...
What I usually do is place some boards I made that are 10" wide x 4" high and 3' long directly behind the front wheels. I then back my vette up the XT' ramps that are in the rear. With the front end an extra 4" higher and it's pretty easy to get the floor jack under the front. I should add the front boards were cut at an angle so the car rolls up easily as I back up the XT ramps.
Now you can then jack the car from the front and the car can't move as it's left in reverse with the hand brake on. If you go with jacking up the rear with the front up on the ramps just make sure you really secure the car from being able to move (roll)......
You'd be surprised how easy it can roll when up on the floor jack....
When I have to jack from the rear here's how I secure the car. That's a 10,000 strap and there is no way the car ever roll backwards...
Last edited by cthusker; Sep 1, 2008 at 05:42 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: CT
I haven't tried that on a C6, mainly because I'm still waiting for my car.
I expect it'll do everything I need it to.
The handle on that tilts all the way down to the floor, so the effective reach of the jack is huge.
They're also very well made and reasonably priced.
http://www.torinjacks.com/ProductLis...on=Type&Type=9
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._89+364+773693
Here's the 2.5 ton model; check out the pics and you'll see what I mean about the handle:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...1974_200221974
Last edited by harddrivin1le; Sep 1, 2008 at 05:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
I use a combo of XT ramps and a Sears floor jack. I don't like jacking from the rear because it's to easy for a floor jack to roll backwards with the car on it. The only way you can secure the front end when on ramps is with wheels chocks (not the greatest) or a safety line on the front tied to something solid.
What I usually do is place some boards I made that are 10" wide x 4" high and 3' long directly behind the front wheels. I then back my vette up the XT' ramps that are in the rear. With the front end an extra 4" higher and it's pretty easy to get the floor jack under the front. I should add the front boards were cut at an angle so the car rolls up easily as I back up the XT ramps.
Now you can then jack the car from the front and the car can't move as it's left in reverse with the hand brake on. If you go with jacking up the rear with the front up on the ramps just make sure you really secure the car from being able to move (roll)......
You'd be surprised how easy it can roll when up on the floor jack....
When I have to jack from the rear here's how I secure the car. That's a 10,000 strap and there is no way the car ever roll backwards...
What I usually do is place some boards I made that are 10" wide x 4" high and 3' long directly behind the front wheels. I then back my vette up the XT' ramps that are in the rear. With the front end an extra 4" higher and it's pretty easy to get the floor jack under the front. I should add the front boards were cut at an angle so the car rolls up easily as I back up the XT ramps.
Now you can then jack the car from the front and the car can't move as it's left in reverse with the hand brake on. If you go with jacking up the rear with the front up on the ramps just make sure you really secure the car from being able to move (roll)......
You'd be surprised how easy it can roll when up on the floor jack....
When I have to jack from the rear here's how I secure the car. That's a 10,000 strap and there is no way the car ever roll backwards...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Like to know anyone's experience using specifically Harbor Freights #40105 3000lb (U.S.General $179.) "long" and "low profile", aluminum race jack or any of H.F's models. Got it on sale yesterday for $139.99 at the local H.F. store. They also have a $99, a $159, and a $199 (4000lb) model, as well. I was originally going to get the $99 but realized it only has a max height of 14-1/2" lift. The others have more of what I need (17-1/2" or 18-1/4" respectfully).
I didn't think think anything about it until I saw a comment on a website by a poster stating that the jack wasn't strong enough to lift his car from the center rear or center front??? He didn't say what "his car" was but I'm only concerned with the vette. Anyone having a problem getting the vette off the ground from the front or rear with these H.F. jacks or the H.F. model that I have, in particular?
** UPDATE** 09/05
Took the one I have back for the 4000 lb model #92782 which they got in today. It goes up to 18-1/4" and is 1000 lbs stronger, which is what I really wanted anyway. They're price is $179.00 so what the heck, I spent more than on the one I took back, but it's a little higher and stronger.
I didn't think think anything about it until I saw a comment on a website by a poster stating that the jack wasn't strong enough to lift his car from the center rear or center front??? He didn't say what "his car" was but I'm only concerned with the vette. Anyone having a problem getting the vette off the ground from the front or rear with these H.F. jacks or the H.F. model that I have, in particular?
** UPDATE** 09/05
Took the one I have back for the 4000 lb model #92782 which they got in today. It goes up to 18-1/4" and is 1000 lbs stronger, which is what I really wanted anyway. They're price is $179.00 so what the heck, I spent more than on the one I took back, but it's a little higher and stronger.
Last edited by GotVett?; Sep 5, 2008 at 05:36 PM.
