This weekend I jacked up my gen 4 Prius to remove wheels with a jack from a friend. I was able to easily access to rear jacking point but the front jacking point is really hard to access. I ultimately ended up using 2 jacks and 2 jack stands. 1. Jack to side pinch weld to bring car up, 2. 2nd jack to front jack port once able to reach it and then jacked car up 3. removed first jack and placed stands on each side. 4. reversed steps to remove and had to be careful to put jack back on side weld to make sure the car didnt crush over the jack on front jack. Overall this seemed inefficient. Is there a better/safer way to do this?
I use a set of plastic ramps to get the front end high enough to slide in a Jack to access the central Jack point…
Yes, but I would make sure to use wheel chocks and parking brakes in the rear to prevent any accidental sliding…
Yes definitely. I have a harbor freight 2 ton Compact Trolley Jack from a while ago. handle way too short so i'd prob need to get one with a longer maybe at least 3x as long and new jack stands since mine were recalled.
Yeah run front wheels up onto low rise ramps is the solution. You also want a jack with handle that’ll start pumping with minimal tilt. Project Farm does a jack review that tests that:
Harbor Freight sells one that sits low enough and has a handle that’s long enough for the front. The draw back is it doesn’t get high enough for the back. I use 2x8’s to lift the front.
Correct, but I have realized I only need one layer in all actuality. Basically wasted time and money building the ramp setup! LOL
Wow that is mildly annoying to change the oil! I did similar to above, didnt have the proper 2x6 or bigger but worked. I couldnt seem to get enough with just one 2x have ramps in attic, thought i could do it easy enough without them!
Yep; just use the rhino ramps. You'll get a clear view of the jack point; so your jack placement will be perfect every-time. Not being sure your on that central jack point squarely; could potentially cause a LOT of damage. IMHO. Oil changes would be faster and easier without the jack and jack stands.
Watched Project Farms ramp review recently, seems like almost all of them are prone to kick out on smooth concrete. Throwing down a thin layer of rubber would help I’d think. Heavier by far, but solid wood ramps are always reassuring. Between rougher undersides and more mass, they seem less slip prone. Too, you can make the leading edge slim, tire rolls over it and grips.
Never had an issue with my Rhino ramps. The American made metal ones do slip; but too high for a Prius to climb. I had to glue traction tape on the metal ones and weatherstrip glued an old heater hose I split down the middle to get tire traction and prevent them from moving.
