I already know this is a dumb question, but what's the best way to get my car up on jack stands?? I have the JCW body kit, and I don't want to damage the side skirts.

Thanks in advance!

 

Do you have a hyd. floor jack? Carefully drive it up on a couple of 2x4's or 2x6's to give yourself a little more room to get the jack underneath. Good luck.

 

Well yeah, I have everything I need. I used to put my Cooper up on stands all the time, but the rubber jack blocks on the car stuck out pretty far and I didn't have a problem using a block of wood. Now the blocks are pretty much underneath the side skirts, so it makes it a little more difficult.

 

Rats, doesn't sound like it's going to be any fun now.
Thinking cap time, maybe something with a little offset for the jack pads or some modified easily sloped lumber ramps, not real familiar with the body kit up close, good luck again.

 

Does anyone else have any ideas? I need to get the car up in the next day or so for an oil change.

 

Time for a suction hose down the dipwire tube?



Spridget

 

Does the 2X4 method work on the JCWs? My Aero ones are painted but they dont really stick down to far so there is a solid (something) underneath them.

Ive used like a 36" long 2X4 placed between the jack points (biased to front) which I put the hydraulic jack on, then place my stands under the points.

here is my crappy section line drawing I did a while back. Blue line is the side skirt, and the green is underbody panels (if equipped)

 

http://www.blimeycabrio.com/?cat=1&paged=5

Scroll down to the April 28 post titled "How a stud lifts a MINI...". While you are there, peruse the blog, there are some great stories AND lots of pictures of Blimey's adventures.

I have done just as he says and it works, no worries.

 

I used to use the same "2x4 method" as you do. I'll have to look again to be sure, but I'm almost positive that the jack blocks are actually sunk in to the side skirts on the JCW kit.

 

Thanks Fly'n Brick, that's exactly the blog I found when I first lifted up my Cooper. I'm just thinking it will ruin the painted, lower skirts of the JCW body kit..

 

Maybe if you tacked some padding onto the 2X4?

I've not done it but have thought about running my 2X4 thru the table saw and ripping a curf an inch or so in from the edge for the weld seam to fit into for a little more security during the next lift. Good luck on your project.

 

Ramps dude.

http://www.google.com/images?q=rhino...qi=g10&aql=&oq=

 

I think those might be my best option so far for this weekend (oil change). Thanks!

I still really need a way to get both wheels off the ground when I do suspension work.

 

I ask because I converted from standard S side cladding to the body kit side pieces. It left the jack point recessed but still somewhat below the skirt material--just not as much. I use the Harbor Freight type aluminum floor jack, which has a flat jack pad (and w/ a rubber surface in the center). Given that, I found it still worked fine to jack it up at the front jack point, then slip the jack stand under the front subframe area, repeating the same thing on the other side. Said more simply, a floor jack with a flat jack pad worked fine; with the older cupped style it would have been a problem before or after the skirts w/out a wood block or something.

 

There's always these gizmo's....

http://www.reverselogic.us/ReverseLo...ited/Home.html

 

Well, I know I can lift the car up with a jack from the jack points, but can I place the jack stands anywhere else underneath the car besides on the rubber blocks without damaging anything?

 

Wondering the same thing. Is there a jack point underneath the car in the center that we can use to jack up the car? Like if I want both front wheels in the air.

 

I've used these spots without problems. Jacked up on the front jack stand pad and placed the actual jack stands as follows:

 

Has anyone used these to jack up their cars?

http://www.reverselogic.us/ReverseLo...ited/Home.html

 

I see a car with two jack stands under the front. How about a sketch or better a picture of the structural part of the car that is resting on the stands.

 

On the control arms maybe? I stopped by the dealer today (yesterday) and asked how to do it since I'll be attempting it in the morning. The dealer suggested the jack "pucks" like toolazyforalogin has shown, but I couldn't find them anywhere. The SA showed me a few other places I can jack the car up from, I will try to take pictures of my process tomorrow. I'm going to give it a go with a scissor jack more towards the center of the car, and then leaving the jack stands on the jack blocks.

I guess it's a little harder to understand for those who don't have the JCW body kit.

 

Here's how to do it if your car is too low, or if you have the JCW body kit (info from the dealer):

• Drive up on small ramps, or home made ones.


• You want to place your jack between these two holes, with a piece of wood in between to distribute the weight.



• Place jack stand under jack block.

 

I use three bricks on each side two on the bottom and one on the farthest back. (long way of course) then I drive up them and put the jack under the car.

 

Ive been lookin for something like this. I wana jack up the car to do an oil change and my short shifter. Thanks guys.

 

Doesn't placing the jack stand under the jacking point block damage the block? I think they're just made of plastic. If so, is there a less damaging way of placing the jack stands under the car or do I just have to suck it up and replace those blocks every couple of years when they get ruined by the jack stand heads?