TheSamba.com :: View topic - Custom jack stand idea... Need input... Has picture

Mon Dec 01, 2003 5:19 pm

Ok...so here it is. Im poor, and this weekend I was going to attempt to switch out engines with my other bug when I realized that I have nothing to keep my back end up high enough. Then last night an angel came to me, sat on my shoulder and said "Clint...you must build a stand...here is how...." The rest is history. I call it "The Po' Mans Stand" Tell me if you think it will work. There would be two of these under each of the back tires. The front wheels will be chalked(sp?) I figure that they would have to be about 2 or 2 and 1/2 foot tall to give clearence for the engine to slide out. Also...how should I get it up that high....Floor jack with some 2X4s on it? Help.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:01 pm

I guess it might hold the car up but I sure as hell wouldn't be caught underneath with those holding the car over me. Look at the cost of your materials and look at the cost of jackstands. Then decide how much you value your current life. I bought my 5 ton jackstands at TSC for 14 bucks each, they are even the 4 leg type. Sure they are cheap, but they likely won't bust holding up the back of my ghia. Pieces of firewood or homemade contraptions just aren't safe. Spend a couple of bucks, besides they are handy

Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:07 pm

Do you know of a place that carries jack stands that will go 2 or 2 and 1/2 feet in the air? I cant find any. This was more or less a joke. I was just hoping that someone would let me know of a way to suspend my car in the air high enough to pull the engine on a fixed budget. Thank you for responding though, your a better man than most.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:12 pm

There was a Shop that use to have "Adjustable Sky Hooks" for rent pretty cheap? Don't know if that business fell through or not ? :roll:

Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:48 pm

I just went and looked at my stands, they lift 23 inches, last time I checked there was still 12 inches in a foot, so pretty close to 2 feet. with the stands under the torsion housing there is more than enough room to drop the engine and slide it out. I don't even think I had them up all the way.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:03 pm

My jackstands weren't tall enough, but by dropping the engine on a piece of 3/8" plywood and pulling off the generator/fan shroud while the engine was on the ground, but still encircled by the rear apron, I was able to get enough clearance to slide the engine out from underneath. Had to even position it so that the oil cooler tower sort of "squeezed" under one of the tailpipe cutouts on the apron.
It worked.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:48 pm

70 140, Where did you get your jack stands. I need a big pair BAD. ](*,) This is a stupid question but where and what exactly are thew torsion housing? :?: Thank you for your help.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:14 am

The torsion housing is the cylindrical thing at the end of the spring plates. It is a very strong structure, low down on the frame, and oriented perfectly for the notch in your average jackstand to hold the car up.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:56 am

I bought mine at a place called TSC. I looked for you, but unfortunaltly its a canadian only chain. Its like a farmers co-op/tool store. The tools are really crappy, all made in china. But I figured jackstands with a 5 ton rating should hold at least one ton, which is all I need. I'm sure your town or somewhere close by has a similar store. Here in Ontario we also have a place called princess auto that sell the same kind of stuff, I don't know if its canadian only or not

Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:59 am

if your car is still on wheels, why not invest in a pair of ramps, and just back your car up on them? that will give you at least 10" under the rear wheels, which puts the apron about 24" off the ground. You can make a pair of sturdy ramps for about the cost of your poor man's jack stand extension (good thinking BTW), or buy them at most auto stores for $30-$50a pair.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:13 am

70 140 wrote: I bought mine at a place called TSC. I looked for you, but unfortunaltly its a canadian only chain. Its like a farmers co-op/tool store. The tools are really crappy, all made in china. But I figured jackstands with a 5 ton rating should hold at least one ton, which is all I need. I'm sure your town or somewhere close by has a similar store. Here in Ontario we also have a place called princess auto that sell the same kind of stuff, I don't know if its canadian only or not

TSC=Tractor Supply Company? They're all over the place. Good source for buggy parts! They also have those hard to find v-belts for power pulleys, extra-heavy duty stainless throttle cables, etc.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:34 am

Tractor supply company...Yeah, thats the place. I went to the website it said it was a canadian company. I guess not.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:11 am

I went to Walmart and picked up 3 ton Jack Stands for $14.00 for the pair. Not sure how high they go up. They gave me enough clearance to pull my motor out.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:49 pm

You can do the job with the cheap stands but after the engine is out you have to take it off the jack while still under the car, remove one of the rear wheels and it will slide right out the side. If you need an extra inch of height then jack up the car from the tunnel at the front transaxle mount and slide it out ,but make sure you never get under the car while not on stands.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:22 pm

I found the perfect set of jack stands on ebay. Check these babies out...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43997&item=2446187726...Can you belive that this guy wont ship them.....i bet they only weigh about 150lbs. LOL. I could get the bug at a 45 degree angle. \:D/

Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:26 pm

They are only 3 legged though. I think (think) 4 legged stands have a lesser chance of tipping.

Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:44 pm

I pulled the engine off the tranny and away from it then had my freinds lift the back end of the bug up. Once we unboled the engine, the bug didnt weigh much. :lol:

Sun Dec 07, 2003 2:59 pm

those jack po mans jack stands look top notch compared to the jack ass shit i saw this weekend. a neighbor of mine we will call CRACK HEAD BOB had tie downs (usaly used to tie shit down) straped to his bumper then up to a metal bar he had placed across the rafters in his garage!!!! and used this in place of jack stands WHY DO THEY LET STUPID PEOPLE BREED ??????

Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:02 pm

LOL ok you really had me laughing on this one. Some guy really did that. Is he still alive? LOL That so funny.