What does it take to jack up this car?

[Mral]

Like many car enthusiasts I enjoy doing some of my own work on the car. (not to mention having issues with car dealers). My question is what is the method of choice for lifting an 04 Corvette to change the oil? Obviously your garden variety car ramps or standard floor jacks won't cut it. Do I need some type of low profile floor jack or super extended ramps? If so, what brand is recommended? Thanks for any help from the DYI folks.

Me Al

 

[68Roadster]

Mral,
Searching this forum will definitely uncover several opinions on jacking up a C5 to do your own oil changes. I, like you, would rather do my own oil changes rather than risk letting some part time 16 year old kid handle my car. No offense, we all have to start somewhere but I have heard too many horror stories.
It seems that many here prefer the wider Rhino ramps but I have also heard of cars backing down them during the process. For that reason I have shyed away from them.
Personally I drive mine up on a 2x8 (just to get the jack under the front) and incrementally jack the front and rear until I have it where I want it. I use large AC Delco jack stands and keep the jack positioned just for safety's sake. I will admit that I'm nervous as a 'ho in church while doing it but take your time and you can do it.
Do the search, reads other members ideas and choose what you feel best.

 

[MsSchroder]

mral,
There are various ways to do it. Most involve driving the front and/or rear wheels up onto 2x6 boards to get the car off the ground a little bit- either to drive it onto ramps, or to get a jackstand underneath. You want the car level, or with the rear slightly elevated, to get the oil to drain out (the plug is at the front of the oil pan, for reasons known only to God).

This is a useful thread about it:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41366

and this excellent how-to is how I learned to do it myself: http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php.

My method is an adaptation of that method, because I had only 2 jackstands instead of 4, but had rhino ramps to substitute for the other 2.

My method is basically the same as that tutorial, except that I use rhino ramps for the front (driving the wheels onto boards to help clear the air dam when driving onto the ramps) and jackstands for the rear.

Getting under the front is a bit harrowing, even with the car on ramps or jackstands.
It's a PITA but at least you know your car won't be getting dropped off the lift at the dealer

Tammy

 

[Mral]

Thanks for the information. I just noticed the search function to access this type of information.

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Hey, I have used (4) 2x6 pieces of wood, stack two on each side, and drive your front wheels up on them. You should be able to get your jack under there then. Just be careful to ensure you are on the jacking point lol :eek

 

[Blade]

Very nice picture and details:

http://www.97vette.com/howto/carlift/index.html

 

[mqqn]

Hi Mral -

best regards -

mqqn