Exhaust jack with unibody vehicle?

[paulj]

Can an exhaust jack be used with a unibody vehicle? With a classic body on frame construction, I imagine it is best to place such a jack so it bears primarily on a frame member. With unibody construction it may be harder to find a good hardpoint. The jackpoints intended for the stock jack may be too narrow or specialized.

On my Element, for example, the side jack points are narrow reinforced seams near each wheel well. A tire shop has also safely used a floor jack on reinforcing channels under the floor. Honda has also specified central floor jack points on the front subframe and near the rear bumper.

paulj

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Sure, they can be used... if a floor jack (with a much smaller surface area) was used, then think of how much less stress is placed on the unibody with a much larger (10x's) surface area. If you were really worried about it, you could make some sort of device to transfer the load of the ex. jack to the jack point (like a peice of wood with a channell cut in it for the rib, etc??)


Or, put it under a smooth part of the axle...

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Paul, I wouldn't hesitate a moment to use an exhaust jack on a unibody vehicle. There's plenty of stiffness in the structure (more than in most body-on-frame vehicles in fact) and the pressure is indeed spread over a large area. I'd be more concerned with abrasion on the jack itself from, for example, the sharp edge of pinch welds on the sheet metal. But the jack material is pretty tough, and I think most come with a protector sheet.

 

[Scott Brady]

My biggest concern would be sharp corners. The weight distribution is impressive, so as long as the plastic 1/4 panels are not being pressured it should work great.

This would make a great solution for you IMO. Too bad you dont live closer, as I would be happy to try mine out with you.