Safe jack stands for boxster

[rick3000]

+1 for driving on a 2x4 to get some extra height

I will also mention an alternative idea to jack stands, cribs. If you are not planning to remove the wheels, build a set. Mine are two stages, cost about $80 in 2x6's and an hour of time. I use them for oil changes when I don't want to mess with alternative jack points to get the car on stands.

[marck]

Originally Posted by cas951

...

If your car is too low for your jack simply drive over a piece of 2x4. One on each side will do.

Yea be careful with that. I've got a set of 4 - 2x12's with a 45 deg on each end so I can roll off. I use them to set a different car on to get a little space for (long explanation). Anyway I got the bright idea of placing them under the wheels of the Boxster to drive up on. Launched the two that had been in front of the real wheels about 40' out the back of the garage across the yard! Could have been a really bad day but escaped that one unharmed and a little smarter.

[Quadcammer]

Originally Posted by rick3000

+1 for driving on a 2x4 to get some extra height

I will also mention an alternative idea to jack stands, cribs. If you are not planning to remove the wheels, build a set. Mine are two stages, cost about $80 in 2x6's and an hour of time. I use them for oil changes when I don't want to mess with alternative jack points to get the car on stands.

and a fun game of jenga, life or death version.

[rick3000]

There are about 40 3" screws in each section, I did not notice any movement in them when I lifted the car. Based on the information available online about crib designs, these can easily support a 986, or the foundation of a house.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by rick3000

There are about 40 3" screws in each section, I did not notice any movement in them when I lifted the car. Based on the information available online about crib designs, these can easily support a 986, or the foundation of a house.

I may just replicate what you have done. I have a ton of 2 X 6's and deck screws left over from a deck I built and this looks like a great use for them. Do you happen to have the dimensions you used to construct these?

[rick3000]

Here's a copy of the blueprint I made. The only tweak I would make, would be to make them a bit longer and use 2x4 instead of 2x2 for the ends. I predrilled the holes to avoid splitting any of the wood, and put 2 screws into each side of every board. They weight a lot, but you could also add some metal handles and edges if you wanted to get fancy.

[Ciao]

what weight do you estimate these will support 5-7 tons?

[rick3000]

I don't have an exact number, but according to this a 3x3 crib built out of 4x4's supports 55,000 lbs. The 986 weights just under 3,000 lbs, and that is split between 4 points.

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-165/issue-9/departments/training-notebook/timber-cribbing-use.html

[Frodo]

Oh, yeah---lumber that's in good shape and assembled right (like in Rick's crib) will hold one helluva lot of weight. It's used to build house foundations!

I've for years used ramps made out of 2x8s. (Sorta wish I'd used 2x10s, although as constructed they have the obvious advantage of being lighter.) I've got a sloped driveway, so I back onto them for oil changes. Sometimes (as in this pic) I'll use a couple of my smaller ramps under the front tires to give a little more lift and to help accomplish a level car. (I should add that after this pic was taken I chocked a couple of the wheels before getting underneath the car.)

I've got 4 of those short ramps and use them to lift the car a little to be able to get the jack under it, or even if I'm just detailing the car (wash, wax, whatever)---just so I don't have to stoop quite so low to get the lower portions.

Marck makes a good point. I remember driving up on a separate piece of 2x8 or 2x10 one time (I don't remember why I wasn't using what's in the pic---maybe it was before I made them). But I over-gunned it a little and it fired outta there like it was coming out of a cannon! My dog was running around the yard---I'm super glad he was not behind the car at the time

I think the chunks of wood I have attached to the top level of the ramps helps some, plus (of course) it makes it less likely I'll back all the way off the tall end of the ramp.

[Brian in Tucson]

I work under the Porsche with jackstands. The only way my car is coming off those suckers is if there's 7.0 earthquake or if an A-10 from the air base crashes into my house. Neither is likely in Tucson.

My ramps are made by Rhino and came from Autozone for about $45. They are plastic and I believe made from recycled Coke bottles and water bottles.

I have a bunch of floor jacks, but for doing a lot of work under the Boxster, I drive it up on the ramps and then use a 12 ton air jack from Harbor Freight. And then put it on my 6 ton jackstands. My worksurface is 6" concrete, very level, btw.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

The only way my car is coming off those suckers is if there's 7.0 earthquake or if an A-10 from the air base crashes into my house. Neither is likely in Tucson.

I feel the same about my 2x8 wooden ramps in NE Ohio

That said, I have no reservations about working under the car on jack stands on those occasions when the wheels need to come off. That, of course, I do on a level stretch of driveway. But if I'm just changing the oil? Why waste time doing more than just backing onto the ramps? :dance:

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by rick3000

Here's a copy of the blueprint I made. The only tweak I would make, would be to make them a bit longer and use 2x4 instead of 2x2 for the ends. I predrilled the holes to avoid splitting any of the wood, and put 2 screws into each side of every board. They weight a lot, but you could also add some metal handles and edges if you wanted to get fancy.

Thanks Rick, much appreciated!

[cas951]

Originally Posted by Frodo

But if I'm just changing the oil? Why waste time doing more than just backing onto the ramps? :dance:

Totally agree to this. Just be sure you have a sturdy ramp. I do use ramps when changing oil.
There are those times when the wheels needs to come off and you have to work under the car. This is why I really these. The slots fit right Into the jackpoints of the Boxster and slots for jackstands. This ensures no slipping. As a secondary I leave my floor jacks under the liftbars to adjust height and secondary safety.

[Frodo]

Yeah, I'd love a set of those---they look amazing.

The only thing holding me back? My kid bought a plot of land and is planning on building a home in the not-too-distant future. And he plans a 3- (or 4-) car garage, with one of the bays having a built-in lift.

[cas951]

That would be my dream garage but missing one thing. A lounge and a bar. 🤙

[Frodo]

I'll suggest that to him..

[rexcramer]

I finally broke down and ordered a set. They are due the first week of January. I already have four jack stands. Watching the videos of them in use convinced me. The car goes up quickly and appears to be rock solid.

Originally Posted by cas951

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

I finally broke down and ordered a set. They are due the first week of January. I already have four jack stands. Watching the videos of them in use convinced me. The car goes up quickly and appears to be rock solid.

Rex,
After you get them (if it's ok with you), I would like to swing by to check them out, as my car is pretty low but the idea seems like a good one...

[rexcramer]

Will do sir.

[stephen wilson]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

I work under the Porsche with jackstands. The only way my car is coming off those suckers is if there's 7.0 earthquake or if an A-10 from the air base crashes into my house. Neither is likely in Tucson.

My ramps are made by Rhino and came from Autozone for about $45. They are plastic and I believe made from recycled Coke bottles and water bottles.

I have a bunch of floor jacks, but for doing a lot of work under the Boxster, I drive it up on the ramps and then use a 12 ton air jack from Harbor Freight. And then put it on my 6 ton jackstands. My worksurface is 6" concrete, very level, btw.

As mentioned, Always have a safety backup, whether it's a jack, or the tires shoved under the car. Any single device can fail, even a jack stand, though rare. Do you want to be under the car when you experience a fluke failure ?