Jacking Front Of Car???

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, what is the best way to jack up the front of a 47 Chrsyler, I have a 3 ton floor jack, a few sets of jack stands, some 2x4 criibing blocks, a set of steel ramps that are 10 inches high, but the car can' clear the ramps.

Should I jack up one side at a time, or jack in from the fron center somehow.

I need to jack up and secure the car so I can remove the clutch, flywheel, then to hold up the back of the engine, while I take off the bell housing to repair the freeze plug leak.............Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Jack it up from the center under the crossover under the radiator. Then put the stands under the frame, under the cowl just before it bends up over the front end.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx Norm, should I put a double set of stands on each side, just a little extra support

[Norm's Coupe]

I would think one stand on each side of the car would be enough. That's all I use. Only time I use all four stands is if I want the rear off the ground too.

[Norm's Coupe]

One added note. After it's on the stands, give the car a few good hard shoves from a couple of different angles. If it doesn't move, you're in good shape.

[55 Fargo]

I have 2 types of stands, 2-3ton, ratchet style, 2-2 ton ratchet and pin, and 2x4 cribbing stacked 14 inches high, the type they use to hold up house trailers, just made with 2x4 criss crossed, all 12 inches long, these are very strong, but take up a lot of room under the car........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

A lot of people use those ratchet type. I don't like them myself though. I only use the pin type. As for weight, remember the car is only about 3500 to 4000 lbs. total. With that in mind, the weight is distributed evenly. You don't have all that weight on one side. So.......your stands sound strong enough if they are 2 or 3 ton stands.

[Young Ed]

Ratchet types have been fine for us. One thing we do use though are the bigger 5-6 ton units. Not for the weight rating but for the actual size of them. The bigger the pad on the ground and under the frame the more stable they are.

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

Mine are 6 ton stands also with a horse shoe type pin for double locking. I know that's overkill, but ya can't be too safe when crawling under there to take a nap.

Many people though are not that comfortable crawling under a car like that. I know a few around here like that. Never forget the first time I ask my wife to get in the car to do something while I was under it. She was afraid it would fall if she got in. Think I had all four wheels off the ground then. Had to actually crawl out from under the car and show her. Pushed on it as hard as I could, got in and slammed the door. Just to show her the car was probably more steady on those stands than it was on the ground.

[Brad Lustig]

Just make sure you don't jack it up by the oil pan like someone apparently did with mine.

[Young Ed]

Hmmm maybe that's what happened to my gastank!

[Plymouthy Adams]

Even jacking the center of the crossmembers does some damage...that area is somewhat "soft" as you access the rad support through this area. A larger trolly jack with the rubber jacking pad is decent enough if you have the room to support buying one of these.

[55 Fargo]

So where is the best spot on the front to place a small floor jack, should I put a small piece of 2x4 under the front rad support before I jack up the car, or should I do one side at a time on the frame.

Or can anyone post a pic for a dummy like me, I know Shel may do this..................Fred

[Plymouthy Adams]

If you are using a small base floor jack it is possible to slip into the access hole..still a good area to lift as far as support goes..if you use a block of wood to displace the pressure, just be very careful and ensure the back wheels are chocked to prevent rolling off and wood sliding out of place..slipping into the hole was my concern when posting..

[captden29]

i know there are alot of smarter people on this forum than me, but to me this is a no brainer. i always jack up by the frame one side at a time and would never do it on center under the radiator except in some unusual or emergency situation. if i will be crawling under to do some heavy work i set the car up with cinder blocks and blocking so it is very stable and safe. a good set of jack stands properly placed on a good surface will do the job. a good shaking and shoving is a must before crawling under. do whatever extra you want to assure your safety. if it is a convertible like mine do not jack up all 4 wheels at the same time as the car will flex and damage can occur. just my 2 cents, but i hope it helps. dennis

[Young Ed]

I jack both my car and truck up from the center. Of course the truck is a straight axle so its easier. I will still put the front of the car up from the center cross member. Depending on where and what I'm working on I've also used an air bumper jack. And its not a p15 but we certainly have lifted both ends of dads 51 convert at one time and had it on jack stands.

I've also heard concrete isn't strong enough to use as a support. I suppose that would depend on which way you had it sitting.

[Brad Lustig]

I jack both my car and truck up from the center. Of course the truck is a straight axle so its easier. I will still put the front of the car up from the center cross member. Depending on where and what I'm working on I've also used an air bumper jack. And its not a p15 but we certainly have lifted both ends of dads 51 convert at one time and had it on jack stands.

I've also heard concrete isn't strong enough to use as a support. I suppose that would depend on which way you had it sitting.

Are you talking about cinder blocks? Yeah, it really only has compressive strength in one direction. I don't think I'd rely on them to hold my car up. I've got both ends of my datsun jacked up on blocks right now.

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

When I said to jack the car under the radiator support, I was assuming you had the 4" base. If you have one of those smaller types it could slip into the hole like Tim mentioned. I've never had a problem with my jack even with the standard metal base. However, I did switch over to a rubber type base on my jack. Also when jacking this way, make sure you're in the center and not hitting any of the steering gear etc. I've jacked up lots of cars this way and never damaged one yet. I look at it this way. If that crossover doesn't hold the car up, it's probably in bad shape to begin with, and should be replaced.

As for using cinder blocks to hold a car up, I wouldn't do that. They can break very easily. Yes cinder blocks are used for building foundations. However, it's not just a few, it's hundreds and they are cemented together and staggered for extra strength.

[BobT-47P15]

It's not that tough, and does not take much longer, to do it one side at a time. I usually do mine one corner at a time. Usually only need to lift one end or the other.

Up until the last couple years, I did not have either a floor jack or jack stands....now have both. Used the bumper jack and concrete blocks or old rims with some wood across them. Have used concrete blocks many times, so far no problem, but the potential for trouble is there.

I just place my floor jack under the frame, behind the front wheel, and that gets the car off the ground pretty good. If you know where you want to put your jackstands, then you can locate the jack either in front of or behind that spot....thereby allowing room to place the stand.

[Brad Lustig]

Forget cinder blocks when 2x4s work fine.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Everytime I see that picture I cringe....

[Young Ed]

This is the way to go. Normally that would be under the bumper but I didn't have one at that moment. And with this jack or the floor jacks I leave the jack in place and use the stands with it. Unless the jack is in the way of the project.

[Ed Griffin]

I too only jack my cars up from the side using the frame and use a jack stand about where BobT's picture shows his jack located for front use. Unless it's straight axle like Ed's truck and mine I dont jack it up from the front, too iffy going the front route for me. Cinder blocks are not safe and should only be used to hold the car off the ground if you plan to have it in storage for awhile. Seen too many of them crumble to take a chance and crawl under a car supported by them.

[Tim Frank]

Million dollar advice from Norm at no charge!

In fact, even if it does move you are STILL in good shape ~ since you aren't underneath because you took the extra seconds to check....

[BobT-47P15]

Did you notice??? Even the guy with the truck supported by 2 x 4s has placed a block behind his right rear wheel.