I've never had a garage before but I do now. I'm planning some easy DIY's including The FDM short shift kit and goldenrod.

Would the experts here recommend 4 jackstands to support the car or would I be better off with a set of ramps and two jackstands?

I'm pretty sure I've seen a photo of Andreas' car on jackstands and I recall a post on how to put your car on jackstands but I can't seem to find it now.

Noob here welcomes and appreciates the advice.

Jim

 

4 jack stands minimum... It is hard if not impossible to drive our cars up onto ramps, either the front bumper hits the ramps or the exhaust drags on the ground.....

 

Here is the process...
1.Put the jack under the rear jack stand. Jack the car up and put jack stands under the front jack stand pads, left and right,
2. Next let the car down..
3. Now place the jack under the engine "seam" and jack it up.
4. Then, place jack stands under the rear jack pads...
5. Let the car down gently and voila! Your car is up on 4 jack stands.

Tip, resist the temptation to put the front jack stands to as high elevation. If you do, you won't be able to get the jack under the rear of the car...it will be on too much of an angle...the jack wont fit under the rear valance.

 

Here is the process...
1.Put the jack under the rear jack stand. Jack the car up and put jack stands under the front jack stand pads, left and right,
2. Next let the car down..
3. Now place the jack under the engine "seam" and jack it up.
4. Then, place jack stands under the rear jack pads...
5. Let the car down gently and voila! Your car is up on 4 jack stands.

Tip, resist the temptation to put the front jack stands to as high elevation. If you do, you won't be able to get the jack under the rear of the car...it will be on too much of an angle...the jack wont fit under the rear valance.

 

Pretty much the only way I have been able to figure out how to get it on 4 stands.

 

This is great! Thank you all.

 

As a safety, before I got the lift, I used to put the car on stands, and also leave one jack under the engine seam, and the other in the front midline with a 2x6 that ran across the car right behind the front wheels. Double safety, never could get over what would happen if a stand failed or tipped while I was under there.

Cheers,

Mike

 

I was thinking I could drive the car up onto ramps in the front. Then follow steps 3,4,5 above. Any thoughts on this?

 

Mike's idea is a good one. I hadn't though about it because the only time I have the car up on 4 jack stands is to adjust sway bars...don't get completely under the car...one can also slide a wheel or two under the car.

 

I'm probably being dense, but I don't understand #1 here. Where is the jack being placed? You are getting both stands under with one lift?

 

I have 4 flattop Esco type jacks, 2 U shaped Torin jacks and 2 Rhino ramps.

The ramps are nice to use if you don't need a lot of height but want some extra room (ie, removing the mufflers). They also provide a head start if you need to jack up the car.

I'll put the extra jacks under the car for safety. Don't forget to use wheel chocks to prevent any unwanted rolling.

When I did the SSK and goldenrod modifications:

1. Drive front of car up on ramps (use blocks of wood for extra clearance if your car is low)
2. Chock rear wheels
3. Jack up the car from the rear jack point until you get enough clearance and put the jack under the front jack point. On the Escos I think it was the second or third notch.
4. Repeat for the other side.
5. Then I placed my extra jacks and tires under the car for safety.
6. Follow Darin's instructions!

 

+2. Secondary protection from the car falling is a must. Guys are hurt or worse every year from cars falling. I always leave a floor jack under too (prior to getting a 4 post lift).

I think he means under the rear jacking points?

 

Yes I am sure that is what he meant. The factory jack points.

 

4 jackstands....the AC stands are pricey but probably the best ones out there. Also having a rear engine jackpoint also makes lifting the car easier (and looks pretty slick IMHO).

 

I've been looking around and I can't seem to find AC jack stands for sale any more -- only Esco jack stands. Anyone know the difference and/or a source for the AC jack stands?