Jacking up a Viper on a 4 post lift????

[sfm79]

What is the best way to jack the car up on a 4-post lift so that I can take all four wheels off. My 4 post lift has two jack trays and I'm not sure of the proper and safe way to do this. Where should I lift the car from and where/how should I support it? This is my first winter with the car and I want to take the wheels off to clean and paint the calipers while I'm at it.
Thanks, Sam

 

[past ohio]

Get a bottle jack, get a large capacity jack, put it under the wheel assemble, jack up then put a jack stand under each wheel till you get all four up and off the runway ...should be able to remove the tires...then...be careful and slow ...

 

[v10enomous]

I'd like to see pics if anyone has some...

 

[LifeIsGood]

I raise the viper off the ground using the lift...position 2 or 4 jack stands on the frame near each wheel and then slowly let the lift down (checking the jack stand positions periodically) until the viper rests securely on the jack stands. I've only done 4 jack stands (all 4 corners in the air) once...it makes me a little nervous. I usually just do 2 jack stands (either front or rear) at a time and keep the wheels that remain on the lift chocked.

 

[All Blue ACR]

I raise the viper off the ground using the lift...position 2 or 4 jack stands on the frame near each wheel and then slowly let the lift down (checking the jack stand positions periodically) until the viper rests securely on the jack stands. I've only done 4 jack stands (all 4 corners in the air) once...it makes me a little nervous. I usually just do 2 jack stands (either front or rear) at a time and keep the wheels that remain on the lift chocked.

Yep

 

[JoelW]

This is why I prefer a 2 post lift. Harder to store cars but oh so much better to work with. Just be careful!

 

[CEJ]

Sam, what brand lift do you have?

 

[wikkid]

How i appreciate a midrise lift. My best investment yet...

 

[Brian GTS]

I raise the viper off the ground using the lift...position 2 or 4 jack stands on the frame near each wheel and then slowly let the lift down (checking the jack stand positions periodically) until the viper rests securely on the jack stands. I've only done 4 jack stands (all 4 corners in the air) once...it makes me a little nervous. I usually just do 2 jack stands (either front or rear) at a time and keep the wheels that remain on the lift chocked.

Same here.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Use the sissors jack that comes with the car. Mine was all rusty so I put my Ingersoll Rand 2135 TiMAX 1/2 on it and jacked it up with no problem. Now I also have a bridge lift. Make sure you block the wheels. I've had my 4 post for 5 months and wonder how I lived without it.

 

[sfm79]

Sam, what brand lift do you have?

It's an Aresco Lift

 

[CEJ]

Aresco shows they have jacks for their 4-post lifts. Have you checked to see if that might be a worthwhile solution for you?

 

[TexasPettey]

I purchased 2 RV leveling jacks. I then built some extended, flat surface arms with angle iron that would contact the frame points, and then bolted them to the leveling jack. For $100, I could lift the car 4 wheels off using my impact wrench and 3/4" socket.

 

[sfm79]

The bridge jacks seem a bit pricey. I have two jack trays and I'm assuming there's a way to use them to jack up the vehicle. I'd like to be able to use the lift in the midway position to work on the calipers and clean. I don't want to do anything unsafe. Somebody told me to use two small bottle jacks in the jack tray to lift the car, then jack stands to support it. Just not sure if thats the way other people do it or the proper locations for jacks and stands.

 

[sfm79]

I purchased 2 RV leveling jacks. I then built some extended, flat surface arms with angle iron that would contact the frame points, and then bolted them to the leveling jack. For $100, I could lift the car 4 wheels off using my impact wrench and 3/4" socket.

Thanks Tex, do you happen to have any pictures of your contraption?

 

[georgethedog]

The bridge jacks seem a bit pricey. I have two jack trays and I'm assuming there's a way to use them to jack up the vehicle. I'd like to be able to use the lift in the midway position to work on the calipers and clean. I don't want to do anything unsafe. Somebody told me to use two small bottle jacks in the jack tray to lift the car, then jack stands to support it. Just not sure if thats the way other people do it or the proper locations for jacks and stands.

I have a four post lift with jack trays, but the problem is the jack locations on the Viper are behind the wheels which happen to be exactly over the lift ramps. I have no idea where under the car (front and back) would be a good idea to jack it up to get the wheels off the lift while the car is on the lift. It would be helpful if someone with a 4 post lift who regularly jacks the car up while on the lift would show some pictures.

It would be nice to take the wheels (or one at a time) off the car and have the lift at eye level in order to clean. I want to do this sometime so I hope there is a good solution.

 

[sfm79]

I have a four post lift with jack trays, but the problem is the jack locations on the Viper are behind the wheels which happen to be exactly over the lift ramps. I have no idea where under the car (front and back) would be a good idea to jack it up to get the wheels off the lift while the car is on the lift. It would be helpful if someone with a 4 post lift who regularly jacks the car up while on the lift would show some pictures.

It would be nice to take the wheels (or one at a time) off the car and have the lift at eye level in order to clean. I want to do this sometime so I hope there is a good solution.

I finally got the balls to lower my car down on to jack stands. I didn't want to extend the jack stands to the highest points so I put a 8"x8" cinder block under them.

After I was done my neighbor comes over and looks it over. He says "do you think those cinder blocks are strong enough to hold the car up"? "I don't want to scare you, just the engineer in me asking the question".

So now I'm feaked out and worried about the car falling down, so I put wood blocks in the jack trays and raised the lift up so that the blocks are just under the frame but not touching it. So if the jack stands fail, the car should rest on the blocks.

What do you guys think about the cinder blocks?

 

[viper_itch]

Gotta admit I was not a fan of the cinderblocks when I saw them there. I think I'd rather put the jack stands all the way up.

I do like the wood blocks as a safety. When I was changing the axels on my wife's Passat and used a few 6x6 blocks under key spots as a backup. Granted it would have been scary to have the car fall to the blocks, but I wouldn't get killed or lose a limb.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

What do you guys think about the cinder blocks?

The cinder blocks will crumble. Use wood or get bigger jack stands.

 

[Steve M]

I would never get under a car supported by cinder blocks, especially when placed like that. At least rotate them 90 degrees so that the hole faces up and down...there's a reason why you can't see the holes in the cinder blocks that make up a home's foundation, and it has everything to do with strength. I'm guessing the only reason those didn't crumble was because the jack stands were placing the load on the outside edges of the blocks, where most of the meat of the block is.

Regardless, not a good idea, especially when it can literally make the difference between life and death.

 

[v10enomous]

Those look like concrete blocks buy either way I wouldn't use either type.


Some construction projects call for a larger masonry block than a standard brick, but solid concrete blocks can be very expensive and very heavy. One common compromise are largely hollow masonry blocks known as cinder blocks. Cinder blocks are also sometimes referred to as concrete blocks, breeze blocks, or concrete masonry units (CMUs), though these terms have nuanced differences among them. Cinder blocks are generally lighter than solid concrete blocks, which makes them easier for brick masons to place in position. The hollow spaces in cinder blocks also provide some natural insulation or allow reinforced concrete to be poured inside the rows of masonry.

 

[LifeIsGood]

An absolute NO to the concrete block idea. I have jack stands that have an extra locking mechanism so I really don't worry any about using them. I will use some timber as you have when I'm going to leave the viper up on jack stands for more than just a few hours.

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Torin 6-Ton Chrome Jack Stands

 

[Lespauldude]

I don't recommend using the cement blocks. Just use the strength of the jack stands. I NEVER take chances like that.
I simply use my brother-in-laws 2-post lift.

 

[sfm79]

Thanks guys, the blocks are coming out as soon as I get home.

 

[v10enomous]

Concrete blocks actually take a long time to fully cure and reach maximum strength plus the weight they carry relies on the block being positioned correctly so the weight is evenly distributed. Automotive applications are typically seen in trailer parks or yards featured on the "American Pickers" TV show.

 

[Camfab]

Here's my solution to your question, though this set up is not yet complete.........
http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/651885-Custom-Viper-jack-stands

 

[sfm79]

Seeking redemption back into the Viper world. The cinder blocks are gone and replaced with wood blocks. Thanks for the input and setting me straight.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Much better.

 

[JAY]

Thanx for sharing ! Thinking of similar setup with jack stands

 

[LiquoRT/10]

Only use wood cus cinder blocks are dangerous.