Need jack stands with uni-body notch?

[mrjaw14]

So I've been using my reular jack stands for years. Then I get two of these new fangled uni-body cars (new to me anyway) and my jack stands dont have a notch in them to seat into the unibody to keep from bending it.

I've made a block of wood with a 1/4" wide 1/2" deep channel in it so I can use my regular jack with a unibody car and not damage the jacking points. Somehow I don't think it's a good idea to try the same with jack stands when I'm going to be under the car. wood can crack and split and I don't want that when I'm under it.

So, that being said, what kind of jack stands do you guys recommend for uni-body cars? Most of what I'm finding with the notch are cheaper jack stands, HF and the like in the 2 ton range. I don't have any 6 ton jack stands, so I was considering trying to find 6 ton with a notch, but having trouble finding them.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

You don't need a notch in it (actually they get in the way a lot)...so long as the top has a bit of a concave to sit in, it's fine.

These are fine:

You don't need these:

 

[wjamyers]

my HF 6 tonners have the notch:
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-jack-stand-set-38847.html

I use these too:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-rubber-pads-for-jack-stand-95952.html

 

[LeGarage]

You don't need a notch in it (actually they get in the way a lot)...so long as the top has a bit of a concave to sit in, it's fine.

These are fine:

You don't need these:

I also use stands without a notch like in the first picture. No problem.

 

[warmpancakes]

cut a slot in a hockey puck, works perfect nice and secure

 

[mrjaw14]

Why is it that a jack without the notch will deform the jack point, and resting the car on stands that doesn't have a notch won't deform the jack points? Seems like every time I've used a regular jack, the jack points deform and if I ever have to use the jack that came with the car it has a hard time seating in the notch in the jack. I was thinking resting the vehicle on jack stands would do the same thing

 

[shockwave]

I believe Ernst manufacturing sells rubber boots to go over the top of jack stands that might be cheaper than buying new stands

 

[CNGsaves]

Sacrificial piece of wood, hockey puck with cutout, rubber boot, etc.

No, you don't want to ruin those stubs as you might need them with cheapy jack in the trunk if you're ever stranded on road and have to put on donut.

 

[zkling]

cut a slot in a hockey puck, works perfect nice and secure

Very similar to the durometer of pads used on 2 post lifts and the like. I can always tell a careless person when I see folded pinch welds on their car. O and hockey pucks are for sale in every state, so don't try some "I live in ______ (insert hot place) and can't buy hockey pucks" B.S. like some people on here have tried. Call your local play it again sports or the like store in your area. They should be <$3 each. I went through the jackstand debacle a few months back. Even had truck brand jack stands at one time. In the end I ended up making my own flat top, 3 leg stands and use hockey pucks as the top pads (backed with a steel place of course). The car doesn't know if it is on a lift or jack stands.

You can use wood, but be VERY careful of the grain orientation otherwise it will split on you under load.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Sounds like you're dead-set on jacking the vehicle up by the notches indicated for the factory trunk jack.

Notch blocks of wood or hockey pucks if you must do that.

Or learn the boxed "frame rail" sections on the underside of your vehicle and use that, or other, alternate and appropriate placement.

 

[zkling]

Sounds like you're dead-set on jacking the vehicle up by the notches indicated for the factory trunk jack.

On a growing number of unibody cars, the pinch weld jack points are indeed the factory recommended jack points. PITA, but such is life. The real challenge is to find a jacking point to lift from yet still be able to get to the pinch weld approved lifting point for the jack stand. I was working on something a few weeks back (can't remember exactly, some little sports car) that had so many plastic panels on the bottom they didn't leave you any room for the jack itself. Since they figure it will go on a lift and the jacking point will also be the holding point, just 4 places on the pinch weld. If they made a smaller, cheaper version of the Jack Point jack stands I'd totally be in for a set.

 

[mrjaw14]

Some cars don't have anywhere else to jack from as has been stated. If I don't see a frame member I'm sure is strong enough, I'm not going to risk damage. I'd rather not jack from suspension components, mainly because I'm not sure enough where to jack safely. So for the most part I jack from jack points on small cars. Trucks are different.

I wish there was a good illustrated guide about vehicle jacking. But most of what I find is differing opinions.

If I can buy a few hockey pucks, modify them, and them not slip off the jacks when I'm wrenching on something, I'll use that. I just thought jack stands made for the job would be safer. If I pay $50 to save myself from injury that's a good buy in my opinion

 

[Shadowdog500]

I made these years ago.