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Full Version: Safe to jack from a Hidden Hitch?
F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums > Community > General Discussion
JustinID
I'm just curious if anyone has an opinion on jacking up an F-Body by placing the jack under a properly installed "Hidden Hitch?" If I remember right, it has 6 well secured mounting points in the rear of the car and doesn't budge a bit. I'm thinking that this would be safer than jacking from my differential (which is what I do now) for changing my rear wheels at autox events. It's also much easier to do since I can't get my jack to fit under my exhaust with out rolling the rear tires up onto some ghetto home made 2-3" ramps I have.

Yay or nay?
Torque
I used to use mine primarily as a jacking point. Mine was bolted in with 6 bolts to the unibody/frame and was a solid, well built hitch. Only issue you'll have if you are just trying to swap tires is you'll need to jack the thing way way up to actually get the tires off. That rear end has a lot of travel and you don't have to worry about hat if you use the diff as the jacking point.

Obviously, whether using the diff or the hitch, block the front wheels, make sure you're on a flat surface.. etc. etc. the basics...
cccbock
QUOTE (Torque @ Nov 3 2008, 12:01 AM) *
I used to use mine primarily as a jacking point. Mine was bolted in with 6 bolts to the unibody/frame and was a solid, well built hitch. Only issue you'll have if you are just trying to swap tires is you'll need to jack the thing way way up to actually get the tires off. That rear end has a lot of travel and you don't have to worry about hat if you use the diff as the jacking point.

Obviously, whether using the diff or the hitch, block the front wheels, make sure you're on a flat surface.. etc. etc. the basics...



I had a hitch on my car for awhile when I first started AX. A necessity to pull tire trailer.

If the car is otherwise stock, the hitch will be the one of the strongest/best points on the entire vehicle except the Kmember. As mentioned, you will need a jack that goes way up in the air, which is itself inherently dangerous.

Also bear in mind that the hitch is a very heavy addition when most of us look for any way to lighten the car.

BTW, I also have one of these hitches sitting in my garage... if somebody wants it make me an offer (Gainesville, Florida). Wouldnt pay to ship it I don't think.

Bock
slowTA
Ever since my diff cover started leaking really bad I've been jacking the car up from the lower rear shock mounts. They're low and secure points, with a smaller jack you can fit it in there nicely and avoid the low hanging exhaust. Granted it takes a little longer this way but I think it is one of the safer ways to go.
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