John Welch

I have to get under the front of the car and I don't relish doing this on a dirt driveway. I don't have ramps either but I was wondering.

If I jack the car high enough to get a wheel flat on the ground under the front tire, would that be partially safe? I'm basically asking if a D-90 wheel would be strong enough to support the corner of the car.

Thanks,

robot808

My attorney has advised me not to answer such questions.

aggravation

I think I'd want the wheel to be heavy steel before I'd even think of going under there and even then make it a big 3/4 ton truck wheel or something.

Bill Ball

You must have some big jack if you can get the car high enough to get a wheel under the front wheel at full sag. This all sounds rather precarious.

So, is there no concrete or asphalt surface nearby to work on? Why not get some decent jackstands or ramps? They shouldn't cost very much.

F451

6 ton jackstands from Harbor Freight are pretty cheap. Especially when you factor in how much use you will get from them over the course of a life time, and of course the peace of mind.

Can you give up some six packs for a few weeks to cover the expense? Or the hookers and crack?

Just throwing some ideas out there to help a brother out.

IcemanG17

I don't like this idea...especially on dirt.....jackstands are cheap...its a much safer option

M. Requin

Jackstands on dirt or gravel are not safe! I know this from PERSONAL experience, which fortunately for me did not involve any injury. I work on a driveway as well, and depending on the height I need, I use either very large wooden timbers under the wheels, or two-piece drive-on ramps. The ramps can't be used with the spoiler in place, so I jack up each side of the car in stages to get them in place. I have very successfully used jack stands in my driveway by first putting down a sheet of 3/4 inch A/C plywood to support them. Not a little bitty thing under each wheel, but a full half-sheet, 4x4. That worked for 6 months on a '91 Jag XJ-40, through winter rains and snow, so I think it is a usable solution. DO NOT SCRIMP OR TAKE SHORTCUTS HERE! Accidents caused by improper support of a car in the air very often result in death.

F451

Good point. I took it as a given that some type of sturdy support would be put under the jack stands and of course under the jack too.

Warrants a mention in this thread for sure.

And of course something safe to use as wheel chocks - another given, but should be mentioned.

tailpipe

just put down some heavy plywood under the jack and jackstands will give you something nice to crawl under on not so dirty if you have some cardboard use that underneath also its kinda slippery helps you slide around easier

Nightfly

Uhhhh, I have the same problem. I bought ramps that are flat on the bottom (some guy advertised them here, race ramps, the front spoiler just clears them; they're nice, light, come in two parts so you can take the lower incline part away after the car's up on them). Jack stands will just sink into the dirt, and if you put them on plywood and it cracks, the car can tilt on top of you. Of course, if you have access to plate metal, you can put the jack stands on that. Just remember if you are putting any sideways pressure on the car, it can slide off the plate onto the dirt, and then you're back where you started. Maybe some steel diamond plate under the jack stands? I just thought of that one.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I think he is kidding. Who has nothing but dirt and does not know how to deal with dirt? I remember an Asian mechanic who propped his truck up sidewase on a 4 x 4. You are either redneck or you are not. Come on!!

Bill Ball

Sure, this looks safe enough. Note the redundant engineering (two 4x4s).

aggravation

That second 4x4 under the truck is a required safety device by OSHA otherwise he'd be in trouble!

Bill Ball

Oh. I thought he was just being smart.

Fogey1

If you only need it up for a little while, you might drive around the neighborhood to look for a "rising curb." A rising wall at the edge of a lot or falling pavement alongside a wall. Drive onto it or back onto it. Carefully.