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Lifting front of car with jack

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by thomassster, Oct 15, 2021.

  1. thomassster

    thomassster Member

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    So the front of the car is really low. Even with my 1.5 ton jack, the height is about 5.25 inches and the car’s panels are about 5”. I can’t roll the jack underneath the car to lift up the front jack point. I know I can lift up the rear jack point easily and use jack stands on the rear which allows enough clearance to fit my jack underneath the front. What are people’s strategy on lifting the front up?
     
  2. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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  3. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    If you can't get at that the center front jack point, it's usually easier to safely use the side frame.
    Ya know, the spot where you want to put the jack stand.
    It's not always the best idea to use the lower control arm.
    If ya get that spot wrong or the arm is wet or oily the jack can slip down the arm as you're half way up the suspension travel range.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @jerrymildred fashioned some low-lift timber ramps: two layers of 1.5"x, for a total lift of 3". You drive the front wheels up onto those, then there's enough clearance to roll under most any floor jack.

    And roll you will need to do: the front jack point is 4+ feet back. With that 3" extra lift you should just have enough clearance, to move the jack handle up and down, very limited travel till you get going.
     
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  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The answer is a low profile "racing jack: that lowers to three inches.
     
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  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The answer is ........