Interesting. I could see myself perhaps doing that.
I was taught (career safety) one should never modify a tool. Disrupting the engineering. We were not even allowed to use a modified tool, (though we would at times, .)
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 01-29-2025).]
I've modified numerous tools- usually using my head (Impact....)
Often I have to jack up my cars/boat trailer higher than the jack goes- I have always used a piece of 2x4 or 4x4...that upside down jack situation looks a bit sketchy......
When I need to lift any of my vehicles and my floor jack won't get it high enough, I'll drive the vehicle up onto ramps of appropriate height (2X4s, 4X4s or 6X6s) or, place the jack on a board sufficient to completely allow the base of the jack to be completely on that board and then lift. Sometimes, both methods are necessary to get sufficient height to do the job. I always use wheel chocks if only lifting one end of the vehicle. Once I and several friends actually helped get a vehicle up off of another friend that was stuck under his vehicle when his use of concrete blocks crumbled, the vehicle came down on top of him. While he was pinned, he wasn't hurt seriously. A hard lesson learned he'll and we will never forget.
Such situations really make me miss the two-post lift I had in Kentucky. Once my shop is completed, there will be another lift installed. I'm getting too old to be trying to crawl under my vehicles. I also use a lift to get my motorcycles and trike up to a comfortable height. Old age sucks but, using the correct methods to lift the vehicle(s) helps ensure one makes it to that status. Never depend on a floor jack to sustain a lifted vehicle the whole job, jack stands don't cost that much.
BTW, jack stands are rated for the weight they will support. Having a set or two appropriate to the weight of the vehicle to be lifted is always a good idea. The jack stands I use for my Pontiac Solstice would never support my Ram 3500 diesel truck.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 01-30-2025).]
When I need to lift any of my vehicles and my floor jack won't get it high enough, I'll drive the vehicle up onto ramps of appropriate height (2X4s, 4X4s or 6X6s) or, place the jack on a board sufficient to completely allow the base of the jack to be completely on that board and then lift. Sometimes, both methods are necessary to get sufficient height to do the job. .
Rams
That probably works unless one needs to jack it up high enough to remove a wheel & tire..
That probably works unless one needs to jack it up high enough to remove a wheel & tire..
Once jacked up and secured, that tire wheel would be off the ramps and easily removed. Only needed to do that a few times, normally associated with a wheel bearing replacement or a brake job.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 01-30-2025).]
Originally posted by blackrams: Once I and several friends actually helped get a vehicle up off of another friend that was stuck under his vehicle when his use of concrete blocks crumbled, the vehicle came down on top of him.
Concrete blocks have great strength if they are right side up. The open side should be placed vertical. I would not do that is the reason I have two sets of jack stands. As shorter set, and a higher set.
Concrete blocks have great strength if they are right side up. The open side should be placed vertical. I would not do that is the reason I have two sets of jack stands. As shorter set, and a higher set.
I'm told he was warned by others but, not by me. I actually arrived about two or three minutes prior to it collapsing.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 01-31-2025).]
Once I and several friends actually helped get a vehicle up off of another friend that was stuck under his vehicle when his use of concrete blocks crumbled, the vehicle came down on top of him. While he was pinned, he wasn't hurt seriously. A hard lesson learned he'll and we will never forget.
I learned that lesson the hard way too. Luckily I was not under my truck when it happened. I wrongly thought that since the transmission was in park, that it would keep the truck in place. The transmission slipped as I was jacking up the front end. The truck slid back. The jack came off the cross member and smashed up the radiator as the truck came down. Luckily it only cost me a new radiator.
I always chock the wheels now when I lift a vehicle.
I learned that lesson the hard way too. Luckily I was not under my truck when it happened. I wrongly thought that since the transmission was in park, that it would keep the truck in place. The transmission slipped as I was jacking up the front end. The truck slid back. The jack came off the cross member and smashed up the radiator as the truck came down. Luckily it only cost me a new radiator.
I always chock the wheels now when I lift a vehicle.
Sir, it only takes one missed step and the price for missing that step can be very costly. Glad you didn't have to pay that price.