Huh? Are you saying no to using 4 jack stands. A number of people have already said they DO use 4 stands and get the whole car off the ground...

If you read the original question, you'll see that the poster wanted to do an oil change. You only need to raise the front of the car to do this, not all 4 corners. You see, the engine is in the front. :ugh2::rolleyes:

I was the OP. I was asking about the 4 corner jack stands as having the car level may empty the oil pan better than if it's angled due to lifting the front only.

i was just going to ask this question today and this is whats holding me back.

I too wanted to use 4 jackstands, the low profile jack didnt even cross my brain.

If you drive the front wheels up onto a wood board or two you probably could get it up just enough to get the jack underneath. Just make sure to put them back below the wheels when you lower the car...

Check out Costco, 3.25 ton, 3.5 clearance, $104.99. It's well built and heavy steel

My first two and a half ton Sears jack lasted 2.5 years under moderate use. Sears replaced it for free when the cylinder started leaking. I still abuse the crap out of it, it is still going after another two years. I wouldn't hesitate to get one again

My primary issue with using jacks on this car is that many of the "low profile" jacks can't reach deep enough under the car to hit the jack points I want to use. They're only low-profile at the front of the jack, as if you'd only ever use it on the edge of the car.

My solution was to buy one of these adapters: Amazon.com: Floor Jack Saddle Adapter for Rocker Panel Pinch Weld: Automotive. The adapter is meant to allow a normal floor jack to use the edge jack points on the car (the ones that have a metal seam sticking down, that the stupid little screw jack in the trunk is design to operate around by having a slit in it).

Then I searched around several hardware/auto stores in the area opening low-ish profile jack boxes until I found some random crappy model that actually had a removable jacking surface that left behind a circular hole the adapter could fit in. The combination works pretty well; I now have a floor jack I can use on the 4x factory jack points at the very side edges of the car to lift a corner and get a jack-stand underneath.

The ultimate, if money isn't an issue, is to weld in a system using these: CP3985 - Light Weight Fast Aluminium Air Jacks - CP3985 Range. The Nismo RC uses the same thing in a 3-point setup: 2 in the front and one in the rear. The biggest one in the series has a one-foot stroke, and 3 of those big ones would add 9lbs to the car (plus air hoses and valves). It's not enough to crawl around under the car really, but it's enough to change tires or do minor work near the edges easily (e.g. reaching the front under-tray area or rear diff), and it would make it much easier to get a lowered 370 onto a lift for "real" work.

Seems like between the 3x jacks + misc other hardware, you're probably looking at $1500-$2000 to install such a setup though. This link has the Nismo RC sitting on its internal air jacks:

NISSAN FAIRLADY ZNISMO RC

I've had this jack for over a year now. Best money I've ever spent. My car is stupid low and I can still get to the jack points with it.

Summit Racing SUM-G1020 - Summit Racing® Low-Profile Hydraulic Floor Jacks - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Nice floor jack. That's exactly what I've been looking for. Now I just need to find it in Canada. Summit wants $124 to ship... :eek:

Is it long enough to reach the front center jack point without lifting it from the side jack points first though? I've been trying to find a jack that will, but I'm having trouble...

My solution to lifting my 370 is simple, I just purchased TWO 3.25 to floor jacks from Costco. Very nice, smooth operation and gets my Z up fairly fast. I have to go back and forth to lift it and lower it but it's worth the trouble. $105 from Costco in MD

You are using jackstands as well, correct?

I jack up the car from the front first, starting on one side (driverside first for example) rest the car on a jack stand, then move to the opposite front side, jack it up, place a jack stand and lower be car. Then I move to the back and jack the car up at the diff, then place a jack stand on each side of the rear. Is there any issue doing it this way?

If you jacked up the sides on the jack points, where did you place the stands?

I basically do this too. Except, If I'm jacking up the front and back, I'll do one complete side at a time.

There is enough room where the jacking points are to use the jack and place the jackstand next to it.

Just like Flashburn said. There is just enough room to place the jack stand next to the jack.

good to know, thanks. :tiphat:

Do you guys place the jackstands perpendicular to the pinch weld where the pinch weld rests on the inside/lower part of the stand or parallel right next to the pinch weld with the car resting on the higher part of the jack stand?

Hope it makes sense the way I described it. I have seen some guys bend their pinch weld pretty badly.

hey zman- i place mine on the inner side of the rail cause the jackstands i use have narrow platforms with rubber covers.

the other way is to make either an adapter out of hockey puck or piece of wood. when im using my hydraulick jack i just use a piece of wood on top of the hydraulic jack's flat platform so that i push up on the jack point of the car. my rails are un damaged.

Yeah, you confused me a bit. They are perpendicular, but since they are slotted, it doesn't do any damage to the pinch rail. They also have rubber covers, so if/when they are a little off, it will just gouge the rubber a little bit, no actual damage to the rail.

Yeah, for the actual jack I use a hockey puck that I cut a line in for the pinch rail.

Thanks Ken:tiphat:. Reason I asked was im shopping for jack stands and was wondering which of these would be more suited for our car. The heavy duty one has deeper cut in almost like for a pinch weld to go into:

3 Ton Jack Stands

Aluminum Jack Stands - 3 Ton

I'd probably use the first set, but with some rubber covers.

I planned on getting the rubber covers regardless :tup:

Actually, this is exactly what I use:

2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand

Looks like they don't sell the jack stands in that picture anymore though.

Yeah they don't sell the jack stands in the picture anymore but the rubber pads will apparently fit most jack stands.

For jack stands I have both. I like to use the second set better, but I don't have the rubber caps so that might make a difference. I'm going to be looking for rubber caps now, I didn't even know they existed.

for the Z i would get something like this as the recessed area isn't too low. :) might recommend even grinding off the two tips on the ends.

Aluminum Jack Stands - 3 Ton

^^ this. One of my sets of jacks stands are like these. I like to use them more than the ones that have the deep recessed area.

Do you not use the pinch rail then? Cause I'd think those stands would completely flatten the rail.

I use the pinch rail, the jack stand is just deep enough to come in contact with it without bending it.

Gotcha, cool. I guess it's just hard to tell from that pic how deep the stand really is.

if i get the shallower holder area one i would place it facing forward/aft along the side of the rail, not perpendicular to the car.

the recessed area will cup the little bump on the bottom of the car where the jack point is to hold in place. i suggest you take a look under the car with a mirror tool or drag your hand along the jack point area to see/feel what im talking about.

i think putting weight on just one side of the V shape holder of the jack is dangerous.

I'm going to have to take a look at this when I get home from work.

Will you two get your own ROOM :icon17:

:icon18: triples is all jelly. :icon17:

:bowrofl: :inoutroflpuke:

I'm 41 years old & bought my first jack today! Got the Arcan from Costco. Now I need to get me some jack stands. Probably won't the the HF ones. HF is great for stuff you're going to use once and / or doesn't endanger your life. I'll spend a few extra $$ and get something non HF. The Griot's garage ones are sexy, but I'd have to sell the car to be able to afford them.

griot's stuff is usually just a rebadge. you can find the same thing cheaper online if you do some research. :)