Cv8/gto-how Do You Jack Your Car Up?

[Pickles]

Recently, I advised my thoughts on the jacking system of the GTO, which I thought was crap. Several members agreed.
So, what alternatives do you use? Some have mentioned "low profile" trolley jacks--what make & model, & exactly where is the jack placed under the car?
With the very small boot space on the VZ GTO, carrying around a trolley jack, no matter how small, is not really practical.
I guess the ideal solution, for me anyway, would be some how to strengthen the existing jacking points (marked by cutouts) in the sills, so that they don't bend. Of course this would involve welding in extra steel etc-a bit over the top I suppose.
Any further thoughts or ideas at all?
Cheers, Pickles.

[hsv-105]

How about one of those 4WD inflatable types that work off the exhaust pipe.

Small to store and no damage to the jacking points ?

[NickS]

I have a groove in the jack plate, then there is an edge on the jacking point that sits in the groove and the jack plate lifts the car from either side of that edge ... :confused: ... does that make sense ?

Anyway, I have never found the factory jack to cause any damage to the underside of the car. I have a slim line trolley jack but it doesn't fit under the front of the car so I need to use the factory jack to lift the car a bit, then I slide the trolley jack in and lift it the rest of the way. The rear is easy as the trolley jack fits straight in and I lift the rear from the diff.

Are you sure you're using the factory jack correctly ? While it's cheap and a POS I have never found it to do any damage. Mark's idea with the inflatable bag is a good one but I'm not sure I'd trust something like that ... I prefer metal.

:cheers:

[2 cylinders shy]

As per the other thread. Check out the underside of the Silver VCM monaro next time your at a HSV day.
If your going to the extent of welding in metal you might aswell get some other benifit.

[Pickles]

I have a groove in the jack plate, then there is an edge on the jacking point that sits in the groove and the jack plate lifts the car from either side of that edge ... :confused: ... does that make sense ?

Anyway, I have never found the factory jack to cause any damage to the underside of the car. I have a slim line trolley jack but it doesn't fit under the front of the car so I need to use the factory jack to lift the car a bit, then I slide the trolley jack in and lift it the rest of the way. The rear is easy as the trolley jack fits straight in and I lift the rear from the diff.

Are you sure you're using the factory jack correctly ? While it's cheap and a POS I have never found it to do any damage. Mark's idea with the inflatable bag is a good one but I'm not sure I'd trust something like that ... I prefer metal.

:cheers:

G'day Nick, Yep, I know about the groove in the jack plate--that the sill jacking edge slots into (or is supposed to!).
The problem is, the lower dowward pointing edge of the sill, does not go right into the jack plate-it only fits in a "groove", in the top of the jack plate, which is about one eighth of an inch deep, leaving the rest of the sill lip exposed, which causes it to bend, when the car's weight is put upon it during the jacking procedure.
Regards, Pickles.

[Muscrat]

Pickles, how low is the GTO, in the past I have used a piece of pine or hardwood with a slot cut into it that fits over the sill lip, the wood then sits on the trolley jack, has caused no damage and even the pine 70mm x 35 mm (?) has not split, prefer the pine as is softer.

Steve.

[Pickles]

Pickles, how low is the GTO, in the past I have used a piece of pine or hardwood with a slot cut into it that fits over the sill lip, the wood then sits on the trolley jack, has caused no damage and even the pine 70mm x 35 mm (?) has not split, prefer the pine as is softer.

Steve.
Seems like a good idea. So the bottom (flat part) of the sill , is taking all the weight of the lifting? The sill "lip" would just be a location "guide" etc.
And the sill has not "crushed"/compressed, or marked in any way?
Thanks for your input.
Cheers, Pickles.

[C4B]

I've always just driven the car up on a couple of bits of wood (to allow for enough height to fit the trolley jack under) and then just jacked from the jacking points (not on the sills).

[Muscrat]

And the sill has not "crushed"/compressed, or marked in any way?


I have only done it on my VZ Monaro and a VY ute and no issues. Does the GTO have a sill covering? Thinking about it if it does it may flex it if it does. Have not tried it on the VE yet. the other option is a solid rubber block.

Steve.