The Ford Barn

RalphInCA · 10-23-2022, 12:47 PM

1947 Flathead

What’s the best way to get the car off the ground, without a lift?

Our floor jack is just not giving us enough height.

Car isn’t running so can’t run up on ramps.

We’re replacing starter so it would be nice if we could get more room.

slowforty · 10-23-2022, 12:54 PM

I got a Harbor Freight floor jack with a higher lift.
With good six ton Good Jack stands.

If you are financially conservative.
I would use some GOOD Two by Twelve or Two by Six pieces of wood under the Floor Jack.
With Good Jack stands.

Safety First
Notice the word Good

RalphInCA · 10-23-2022, 01:00 PM

I have read that it’s not good to jack on the axle. Correct?

19Fordy · 10-23-2022, 01:06 PM

If you have the time make some jack pads to provide good support without damaging your frame rails.
Look here:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ight=jack+pads

J Franklin · 10-23-2022, 02:10 PM

Jack as high as the jack will go and set your stands. Now lower the jack and put a 4x4 block on the pad and jack it higher. Repeat until it is where you need it.

51woodie · 10-23-2022, 03:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have read posts that say, "don't jack on the axles", and others that say, "it's okay to jack on the axles". I jack my '46 coupe on both axles, with a wood pad on the cup of a 3 1/2T capacity scissor jack. So far, no issues.

aussie merc · 10-23-2022, 05:28 PM

i made a couple of pad extensions for my floor jack so now i jack and stack the wheel and lift again

Automotive Stud · 10-24-2022, 06:18 AM

I've never heard not to jack on the axles. I've been jacking from the front and rear axles for years and never had an issue. I prefer to put the jack stands under the axles too unless I'm working on something that requires them to hang.

corvette8n · 10-24-2022, 07:56 AM

I ponied up for a pair of Quickjacks.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256084
Lots of video on YouTube, I bought the 12 volt model so I can use them anywhere. Beware once you buy a set you’ll have more relatives than you knew you had.

51woodie · 10-24-2022, 10:06 AM

I saw this unit years ago, in an old garage on a trip through ND. I thought it would be nice to have, but would take up a lot of storage area compared to my scissor jack. Any idea who the manufacturer was? And before anyone asks, keep in mind I'm old, and CRAFT has set in, so I don't remember the place I saw it.

40cpe · 10-24-2022, 11:04 AM

It is a neat piece of engineering, but it doesn't appear to have much lift.

F1 MIKE · 10-24-2022, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j franklin

jack as high as the jack will go and set your stands. Now lower the jack and put a 4x4 block on the pad and jack it higher. Repeat until it is where you need it.

x 2

Tim Ayers · 10-24-2022, 02:18 PM

When wood was cheap, the deal was to make square rigging/blocking out of alternately stacked 2X4's. This would be a fairly pricey proposition since one 8 ft. piece makes you one layer cut at 2ft. lengths for one wheel. Last time I check, 2X4's were almost $10 per.

The rigging/blocking would go under the tires. Only limit was how many 2X4's you had.

10-23-2022, 12:47 PM	#1
RalphInCA Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 12	Getting the car high off the ground 1947 Flathead What’s the best way to get the car off the ground, without a lift? Our floor jack is just not giving us enough height. Car isn’t running so can’t run up on ramps. We’re replacing starter so it would be nice if we could get more room.

10-23-2022, 12:54 PM	#2
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Getting the car high off the ground I got a Harbor Freight floor jack with a higher lift. With good six ton Good Jack stands. If you are financially conservative. I would use some GOOD Two by Twelve or Two by Six pieces of wood under the Floor Jack. With Good Jack stands. Safety First Notice the word Good

10-23-2022, 01:00 PM	#3
RalphInCA Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 12	Re: Getting the car high off the ground I have read that it’s not good to jack on the axle. Correct?

10-23-2022, 01:06 PM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: Getting the car high off the ground If you have the time make some jack pads to provide good support without damaging your frame rails. Look here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ight=jack+pads

10-23-2022, 02:10 PM	#5
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,964	Re: Getting the car high off the ground Jack as high as the jack will go and set your stands. Now lower the jack and put a 4x4 block on the pad and jack it higher. Repeat until it is where you need it.

10-23-2022, 03:58 PM	#6
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 529	Re: Getting the car high off the ground Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have read posts that say, "don't jack on the axles", and others that say, "it's okay to jack on the axles". I jack my '46 coupe on both axles, with a wood pad on the cup of a 3 1/2T capacity scissor jack. So far, no issues.

10-23-2022, 05:28 PM	#7
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,036	Re: Getting the car high off the ground i made a couple of pad extensions for my floor jack so now i jack and stack the wheel and lift again

10-24-2022, 06:18 AM	#8
Automotive Stud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 832	Re: Getting the car high off the ground I've never heard not to jack on the axles. I've been jacking from the front and rear axles for years and never had an issue. I prefer to put the jack stands under the axles too unless I'm working on something that requires them to hang.

10-24-2022, 07:56 AM	#9
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,954	Re: Getting the car high off the ground I ponied up for a pair of Quickjacks. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256084 Lots of video on YouTube, I bought the 12 volt model so I can use them anywhere. Beware once you buy a set you’ll have more relatives than you knew you had.

10-24-2022, 11:04 AM	#11
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Getting the car high off the ground It is a neat piece of engineering, but it doesn't appear to have much lift.

10-24-2022, 02:18 PM	#13
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,181	Re: Getting the car high off the ground When wood was cheap, the deal was to make square rigging/blocking out of alternately stacked 2X4's. This would be a fairly pricey proposition since one 8 ft. piece makes you one layer cut at 2ft. lengths for one wheel. Last time I check, 2X4's were almost $10 per. The rigging/blocking would go under the tires. Only limit was how many 2X4's you had.