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| Jacking Up for Cradle Drop (Page 3/4) |
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Will
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FEB 10, 08:16 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Notorio:
Has anyone actually put a hitch on a Fiero? It seems a little undignified to me for some reason  |
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I have. Not only did I install the hitch, I cut out the original tiny receiver and had a 2" receiver welded in.
The Fiero Store sells them for a reason.
Even if you're not "moving stuff" a small trailer is still the easiest way to take your race wheels/tires to the track without accumulating street miles on them. And said trailer also makes it easier to carry more tools to the track as well.
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oneinch
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FEB 10, 01:04 PM
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I like the idea of using these skates for casters. TODDSTER's dolly would sit nicely on a set of four of these. I only plan on dropping this cradle one time. I have to buy casters of some sort, but when I'm done I really don't need casters. I don't need car skates either, but I'm more likely to reuse the skates than I am the casters.
| quote | Originally posted by Notorio:
It's funny that the small wheel dolly/skates have been mentioned. After looking at local and other on line options my plan is to get this pair on Amazon (Pentagon Tools 5061 Tire Skates 2 Tire Wheel Car Dolly Ball Bearings Skate, 12" (Pack of 2) Rated at 6000lbs) which are $78. Beware the cheaper set also by Pentagon with the poor quality casters. These skates will add a few inches to jacking up for clearance but I like the idea of them being easy to store, plus I don't need to build them myself.
ETI, can you tell us more about the 3.4 you are getting 'any day now'?? I'm still kicking the idea around for a short block and can't decide between going with the Camaro 3.4 or one of the newer 3400 (but with the Camaro pistons to get back to a good compression ratio with Fiero heads.
I still need the set up to look stock.) Last year Dennis sent me a nice summary comparing the two options.
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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray
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css9450
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FEB 10, 03:35 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by eti engineer:
An easy way to tell how high I needed to go on my '88 was to watch when the front air dam hit the ground. At the point it was just starting to touch the ground, the car was high enough to get the engine out. |
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It seems one could gain a few inches by starting with the front wheels a few (or several) inches off the ground. Perhaps make small mini-cradles for them using the extra lumber from your cart? Put one under each front wheel.
Raising the front just a little eliminates the front air dam from hitting the ground, and I think it would eliminate a few degrees of "slope" when the car is raised to its maximum. Or maybe it doesn't matter?
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mountainman
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FEB 10, 11:46 PM
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Put the front wheels on ramps. Makes the whole operation much easier. j
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eti engineer
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FEB 11, 09:01 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Will:
That's a REALLY TALL cradle dolly. |
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It works fine and the nice thing is, there are openings in it under where the cradle sits (It sits on the outer 2X6 boards). This made it really nice when I needed to undo bolts from the underside. Believe me, it works beautifully.
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eti engineer
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FEB 11, 09:02 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by eti engineer:
It works fine and the nice thing is, there are openings in it under where the cradle sits (It sits on the outer 2X6 boards). This made it really nice when I needed to undo bolts from the underside. Believe me, it works beautifully. |
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The main thing is to get good casters and make them all steerable. BTW, I agree with putting the front wheels on ramps before jacking up the back end. It would make it easier. I had ramps and if I ever have to do this again, God forbid, I will put the front wheels on ramps before lifting the rear end.[This message has been edited by eti engineer (edited 02-11-2021).]
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Will
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FEB 11, 02:14 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by eti engineer:
It works fine and the nice thing is, there are openings in it under where the cradle sits (It sits on the outer 2X6 boards). This made it really nice when I needed to undo bolts from the underside. Believe me, it works beautifully. |
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It just requires the car to be that much higher to get the cradle out from under it.
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Notorio
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FEB 11, 03:49 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by mountainman:
Put the front wheels on ramps. Makes the whole operation much easier. j |
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Yeah, I think that is what I'm going to do.
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css9450
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FEB 11, 04:43 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Will:
That's a REALLY TALL cradle dolly. |
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I think it's the same as the one called for the the "How To" on the forum.... Maybe he used some really large wheels?
My Home Depot has about a dozen different kinds, some larger than others. I can see where small but sturdy would be best.
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reinhart
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FEB 17, 02:32 AM
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I dropped the cradle without a floor jack or a hoist. What i did was throw two sand bags in the front on the radiator. I had an engine dolly I made from a 1/2" board on top of some 1 inch high wheels (The total dolly height was like 1 1/2"). Then I raised the engine using a long 4x4 under the middle of the car where the scissor jack goes. I used two Fiero scissor jacks and just lifted them up and then added about 4 inches under them to get enough clearance with them fully extended. Total cost of the dolly + 4x4 was like $15. The nose was just about to touch the ground when I had enough clearance to slide the dolly + engine cradle out the passenger side.
I also made my own engine hoist with some 4x4's a few right angle braces, 4 dolly wheels, and a wire hoist. That cost maybe $25.
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