It is my understanding that it's not good to use a floor jack on the K member on a 1973 Dodge Dart Sport 340. Recently I have jack each side on the frame rails just behind the wheel wells and then supported each side by jack stands. Is it better to use the floor jack lower control arm and then support them by jack stands? in my youth on my '71 Demon 318 I raised it by the K-member.
Front floor jack points
- Thread starter TRWRacing
- Start date
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Bookmaker
Well-Known Member
According to my 1974 Chrysler Plymouth Chassis Service Manual, you may use a floor jack under the K-member. It specifically shows that in an illustration.
I would only raise it that way long enough to get jack stands under the frame rails though. Never trust your safety to a floor jack.
I would only raise it that way long enough to get jack stands under the frame rails though. Never trust your safety to a floor jack.
ScampMike
Despicable Damn Yankee
poppycock
By far the strongest place to put a floor jack, center of the K member. THEN place jack stands under the frame rails, lower onto the jack stands. Or place jackstands under the lower control arm. Either way works for me.
I jacked my 'Cuda from the K-member then put jack stands under the frame rails to sit on. Absolutely no problem.
If you can pull an engine by four 5/16" carb studs....you can jack the car up by the K-member.
Jeff
If you can pull an engine by four 5/16" carb studs....you can jack the car up by the K-member.
Jeff
mguner
How many is too many?
I only use jack stands under the control arms if I need the suspension loaded. They swing out enough to **** the stands just a little and that makes me nervous.
mguner
How many is too many?
Does that car have an engine in it? Sure doesn't look like the suspension loaded any.....
It does. It just looks that way because of where the jacks are, not where the tires are, at the end of the control arms. More leverage on the tires.
mguner
How many is too many?
Ahhh.... My big block car still gets them off the upper stops though.... Good looking setup!
mguner
How many is too many?
Is that the Eastwood manifold coating?
So 2x4 on the floor jack pad raising the K-member and jack stands on the LCA or on the frame rails just behind the wheel wells?
My 1973 Chassis manual just says to use a floor jack on the LCAs.
Last owned my '71 Demon in 1996 at the age of 26, so it's been awhile and a couple of bulging discs in the back since then.
My 1973 Chassis manual just says to use a floor jack on the LCAs.
Last owned my '71 Demon in 1996 at the age of 26, so it's been awhile and a couple of bulging discs in the back since then.
Yes it is. seems to hold up real well.
dont need the 2x4, just lift right where the lower Radiator support is. the angled metal that is bolted to the K member and just under the Rad, lift where it connects to the K member.
adamm
Well-Known Member
I use an old cotton shirt (my shop towels) between the jack and the K member when raising it up to protect the finish. I have use a small scrap of wood too in the past but was never comfortable with "stacking" solid materials. Then jack stands at the frame rails as others have mentioned.
Recently I've been using ramps out of convenience and have come to prefer it.
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