Tire Lift Stands Raise the Chassis 24.5" for Bodywork, Etc.

[Ahhgaragetime]

I made these homemade lift stands for the tires to lift the entire car higher than even more floor jack can go.

When collapsed the stands are about 9 inches tall which is about as high as I can safely lift the car with the jack alone.

Once all four tires are supported with these stands then I go around again with the jack under the tires to lift another 6 inches.

[eltax91]

I’ve seen something similar advertised on social media before. I could never actually find a supplier in the U.K. so didn’t buy any.

You should get them manufactured (and safety tested) and sell them here.

[Hol]

Looks very simple and effective. Like an axle stand for wheels.

Do you need all the holes in both the sleeve and the insert? (If you only put the steel rod through the top hole, each time that is).

[julian64]

I wouldn't go under that. A square isn't a stable structure. What you have made looks very strong vertically but very weak on any horizontal force. Only the welds would resist a horizontal force. I would put at least one diagonal in there if I were you. Otherwise top DIY'ing

[tapkaJohnD]

An axle stand is also has no diagonal, only stable-ish because of the base is a wider than the upright.
But the concern on the strength of those upstands is correct.
I'd add gussets to the base, so it didn't rely on weld strength only.

The tradional set of crib blocks is just as versatile, possibly cheaper and will not collapse from transverse stresses.
See: https://shiftsst.com/articles/cribbing-blocks

John

[E-bmw]

tapkaJohnD said:

An axle stand is also has no diagonal, only stable-ish because of the base is a wider than the upright.

Axle stands are always pyramid/triangular in shape & so don't need a cross member to achieve triangulation, it already is, so the shape is inherently stable already.

[tapkaJohnD]

E-bmw said:

Axle stands are always pyramid/triangular in shape & so don't need a cross member to achieve triangulation, it already is, so the shape is inherently stable already.

Exactly. But if pushed beyond that, they cease to be stable, and the higher, the more likely is that. Crib blocks will NOT tip over!
John

[E-bmw]

Yes, but that is not what he was on about.

A rectangle isn't a stable shape, a triangle is.

A square can be pushed out of shape & this would cause the stand to collapse, a triangle cannot.

Do an experiment to illustrate the point.

Make a rectangle using 4 bits of Meccano or similar, now hold the bottom & push the top to one side, the shape collapses to a Rhomboid & you are squished under the stands.

Now make a triangle using 3 pieces of Meccano or similar, hold the bottom & push the top to one side, the shape remains stable.

What you are saying about pushing the top outside of the footprint of the bottom will destabilise ANY stand, even a solid one, the bigger bottom helps but it can still be pushed over.

The ONLY ways to make a rectangle stable is to "triangulate" it with triangular cross braces or basically completely fill it in.

[Ahhgaragetime]

Thank you all for your feedback to strengthen these stands. I primarily made them to work on the outside bodywork at a comfortable height, but I am going to add some flanges to the base plate on the back and sides. I'm also going to add some cross straps. You guys are referring to shear forces in which the cross braces will help.

I did try to break it using my mazda in the video below. It really didn't flex or move at all even without the extra bracing you are talking about.



ETA

Sorry not allowed.

Edited by Big Al. on Monday 17th December 21:18

[E-bmw]

TBH they look good & with even a modicum of mechanical sympathy they will be absolutely fine, I was talking theoretically of course if subjected to extreme circumstances.

[finishing touch]

They look fine to me. Well done for making them.


They'll always be someone to criticise.
They are usually people who have never actually made anything themselves but are the first to jump when anyone else does.


Paul G

[E-bmw]

Don't know about anyone else on here but FYI I am not criticising, I think they are good (as I said above) just agreeing with A.N Other that triangulation would help the 1/1,000,000 chance if them falling foul of an over-eager bolt removal/torqueing.