Jacking up a Viper ... Safely

[Slithr]

Over the last few weeks, I've had to jack-up the Viper twice (once to replace lower hose, second time to replace radiator), both times the jack stand rolled a bit when put under load? Which made me think, I'm not doing this correctly?

I would like to ask some Viper veterans the proper jacking procedure to avoid this (if avoidable) in the future. Since I do not have a lift, I have been using my low-profile floor jack (1) and jack stands (2). I start with the floor jack lifting the right front (on jack point), by the time the car is up enough to get my right side jack stand under the car, three tires are off the ground. Then I lower the right side down onto the jack stand (jack stand covered with towel under frame), as the car comes down onto the jack stand, the jack stand rocks up onto two legs this seems un-safe to me. I then move the floor jack to the left side and jack up the front end, this seems to level the jack stands back out, then I place the left side jack stand under the frame. Is this common or am I doing something wrong?

Should I be using two floor jacks lifting both sides at once
Am I using the wrong jack points
Should I be jacking in the center of the car and using the jack stands under the jack points

I just want to be safe and not damage the car. I hope my current procedures can be improved upon, as I really don't like the jack stands moving like that

 

[FrgMstr]

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/646361-ACR-on-jack-stands

 

[Mopar Boy]

Here is the correct way.

You must be registered for see images

 

[JohnnyViper]

you need to use a block wedge on the front and back of the tires that are touching the ground.....I would also invest in race ramps, its cheap insurance to keep your viper safe and you from being squished and dying leaving your family or kids to find you flattened in a pool of blood.....glad you are asking this question!

 

[Slithr]

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/646361-ACR-on-jack-stands

Thanks Frog .... I think, I might have just earned a spot on Plum Crazy's list

 

[ViperGeorge]

Had a Viper factory engineer help me check something on my ACR. We jacked the front left of the car up at the jacking point and placed a jack stand under the frame rail in the front kind of behind the front left tire. Lowered car onto jack stand and front right tire came off the ground. Engineer says that is normal because the frame is so stiff. I've always had the same exact problem, trying to put jack stands under a Gen 3/4 in a way that it seems safe. I've seen a car (not a Viper) fall on a guy and ever since it gives me the heebie jeebies when I need to get under the car. Bottom line is I use two floor jacks, one each on front sides and then two jack stands on frame rails. If I need to get under the rear then its two jacks for each rear side and two jack stands under the rails. The jacks stay in place because I'm chicken. If the whole car has to come up, then you guessed it, four jacks and four jack stands.

 

[FrgMstr]

Thanks Frog .... I think, I might have just earned a spot on Plum Crazy's list

Frag, not frOg. And FWIW, he would have posted a link that just chastised you for being a dolt instead of helping a brother out.

 

[hou99gts]

I have a lift if you get in a pinch and need to use one.

 

[happy]

Ya same here too 2 floor jacks on the front and 2 jack stands and a floor jack on the rear frame rail behind rear axel and 2 jack stands on each side at the rear!!!

 

[C-Note]

I sure remember what a pain this was..... I found that getting a second jack and going up a little at a time on each side helped a bunch. When you are lifting your front tires you will want the car in neutral with the brake off so that the rear tires can move while you are lifting, this will keep your jacks from tipping toward the rear when you lifting, re-set the brake once your car is in the air. and don't forget to take the brake off again when you get to lowering your car.

I bought a lift and it changed my life

 

[CEJ]

I use two floor jacks and get a helper to lift up the front end or back end and then use the stands.

I've been using the ESCO stands (google "esco stand viper" to find my posting on VA about these stands) under the frame on my RT/10 and they work really well. Used them on my wife's Odyssey too when replacing the front struts and brakes. Very stable.

I like the two by four stand that guy is using on the pickup. Works great for him.