Jacking Up for Cradle Drop (Page 1/4)
Notorio FEB 08, 11:51 PM
Taking a page out of Toddster's great write up (literally ), here is Step 40 where the body is jacked up to allow clearance for the cradle to be pulled out from the side. Can anyone tell me the approximate height of the Red Arrow above the pavement surface? And at that point is there plenty of clearance or are you just squeaking the cradle by obstructions by the skin of your teeth??
ericjon262 FEB 09, 05:10 AM
don't lift the car by the trunk latch, it's stupid dangerous. you can pull the trunk carpet and pass a chain through the firewall brace and lift the car almost as high, and not risk life and limb.

you're looking at about 4.5-5 feet.

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"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."

cognita semper

[This message has been edited by ericjon262 (edited 02-09-2021).]

olejoedad FEB 09, 08:38 AM
My hoist has swivel casters on each corner.
To pull the drivetrain out of the driver side wheel well requires a measurement of about 37 inches to the bottom of the lower framerail.

Height of top of hoist leg + height of drivetrain from bottom of cradle to top of upper intake manifold.

I pick the car up using the tops of the strut towers. I have seen the crossbrace on the trunk wall tear when lifting the car with the drivetrain.

I have used this method on nearly fifty Fieros with no issues.
pmbrunelle FEB 09, 08:43 AM
I personally pick up the car by the strut tower.

However, it looks like picking up the car with the bumper (looping straps around the rear frame rails) would be OK too.
theogre FEB 09, 10:16 AM
⚠️ Warning: Do Not use any Deck lock parts for Jacking.
That can kill you or anyone gets hit dropping a car.
Even the bolts and "nuts" holding lock parts are very weak.

See my Cave, Jacking to Clear Engine and Safe Jacking

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

ericjon262 FEB 09, 11:48 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

My hoist has swivel casters on each corner.
To pull the drivetrain out of the driver side wheel well requires a measurement of about 37 inches to the bottom of the lower framerail.

Height of top of hoist leg + height of drivetrain from bottom of cradle to top of upper intake manifold.

I pick the car up using the tops of the strut towers. I have seen the crossbrace on the trunk wall tear when lifting the car with the drivetrain.

I have used this method on nearly fifty Fieros with no issues.



I haven't seen the crossbrace fail, that being said, the holes I loop the chain through show some very slight deformation, so the strut towers might be a better idea.

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"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."

cognita semper

cvxjet FEB 09, 12:01 PM
I looped a cargo strap around the whole trunk to lift the back of the car. Also, I made a mini-pallet for the engine/subframe to sit on and used a pallet jack from work to move the assembly out laterally. But I also removed the struts and suspension and intake manifold before doing all of that.

When I slid it back under a week later, I didn't want to haul the pallet jack back home from work again, so I used some lawn sprinkler pipes as rollers (Like the stones in the pyramid (Supposedly) and just cycled them- worked like a charm...

Don't know what that measurement was though.......
Dennis LaGrua FEB 09, 12:40 PM
Two post Rotary Lift with a Hydraulic table below on this end with tall jack stands for safety.. We've also replaced powertrains using a floor scissors lift supporting from the bottom. If we were to lift the car from above I would try to make a jig to lift by the strut towers as Joe has done. I met a guy a while back that changes engines from the top but havnt tried this method.
Always be cautious . Whats your life worth?. It only takes one mistake.

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"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
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Notorio FEB 09, 01:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

...

Height of top of hoist leg + height of drivetrain from bottom of cradle to top of upper intake manifold.

I pick the car up using the tops of the strut towers. I have seen the crossbrace on the trunk wall tear when lifting the car with the drivetrain.

I have used this method on nearly fifty Fieros with no issues.



Thanks for all the input everybody.

Fifty Fieros! That is an astonishing number. Is this part of your business?

Ah, I didn't realize the Top of the Upper Intake is actually the high point. A lift of 4-5 feet or so should allow me plenty of room to clear the obstacles in the garage without a major re-org.
Will FEB 09, 03:50 PM
Install a trailer hitch and lifting becomes super easy...