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.

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