Using 2X4 instead of jacking rails

[Westphal]

I thought I read about some people using a 2X4 under the rocker panel to jack up each side of the car instead of installing jacking rails, but I can't find the posts. Would this work with a convertible? I've done this with other cars as I have a nice oak 2X4 that is very solid.

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[Junkyard Dog]

I have not tried this, but it seems like this would risk rolling over the pinch weld seam.

The jacking rails run beside the pinch weld seam and is just a little bit lower, so when you put your jack under it and start jacking, it protects the pinch weld seam.

I am not sure how a 2 x 4 would do that.

Maybe you are just placing it beside the pinch weld? And it sticks down lower? And it spreads out the weight evenly enough that you do not buckle any part of the floor pan?

I don't know the answer, but I would not want to experiment like this on my floor pan.

 

[Westphal]

I'll have to take another look. My wife's car is just over 9k miles, so I'm preparing for the 10k mile oil change and tire rotation. For the 1k mile oil change, I just jacked up the front end by placing the 2X4 across the crossmember rail and placed jackstands underneath somewhere so I could pull out the jack and remove the undertray.

 

[LouG]

I might do this myself. Great idea.
Use a router and cut a channel in the 2 x 4 for the pinch seam.

 

[slater]

I wouldnt ever wait to change the oil at 10k....
Unless its a lease & youre not keeping t...

 

[Ducatti20]

I might do this myself. Great idea.
Use a router and cut a channel in the 2 x 4 for the pinch seam.

You could manufacture them and resell as "Retro Jacking Rails".

 

[Ducatti20]

I'll have to take another look. My wife's car is just over 9k miles, so I'm preparing for the 10k mile oil change and tire rotation. For the 1k mile oil change, I just jacked up the front end by placing the 2X4 across the crossmember rail and placed jackstands underneath somewhere so I could pull out the jack and remove the undertray.

Do you have ramps? I change mine on ramps every 5k miles, which works out to around every 4 months or so. Pretty easy to do with ramps IMO.

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