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| best way to get under the rig? [message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 06:40  |
kstockwell
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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What's the best way to get under the back of the buggy?
Chock the front wheels and jack up in between the rear wheels and put in stands? What ton jack/stands should I be using.
I can slide under the back behind the wheels OK, and under the front, but I want to be under inside the back wheels where the tanks are.
Is this OK to do in a dirt driveway?
kelly
1978 kingsley
putney vt
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302868 is a reply to message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 07:04  |
GMC Cruse
Messages: 606
Registered: June 2009
Location: SE Michigan
Karma: 3
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kstockwell wrote on Thu, 30 June 2016 07:40What's the best way to get under the back of the buggy?
Chock the front wheels and jack up in between the rear wheels and put in stands? What ton jack/stands should I be using.
I can slide under the back behind the wheels OK, and under the front, but I want to be under inside the back wheels where the tanks are.
Is this OK to do in a dirt driveway?
kelly
1978 kingsley
putney vt
Build a set of wood jack stands like these.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/12-ton-jack-stands/p33790-12-ton-jack-stands.html
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302870 is a reply to message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 08:05 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I wouldn't use a stand on dirt. Get some 4x4 and crib with it, or build the blocks shown above. Actually, I won't use stands at all, I always crib with timber. I installed the torque arms on my 23' on one side in /on dirt. No problems. I have an eight ton bottle jack which cost 29.95 opn sale at TSC, and a 3 ton floor jack (which slowly leaks down) from Harbor Freight.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302873 is a reply to message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 08:40 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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kstockwell wrote on Thu, 30 June 2016 07:40What's the best way to get under the back of the buggy?
Chock the front wheels and jack up in between the rear wheels and put in stands? What ton jack/stands should I be using.
I can slide under the back behind the wheels OK, and under the front, but I want to be under inside the back wheels where the tanks are.
Is this OK to do in a dirt driveway?
kelly
1978 kingsley
putney vt
Kelly,
Never Trust and Airspring (Airbag). Never ever go under the coach without it being blocked up.
If an airspring blows out - this can happen at any time, the back end can crush a toadstool. There is no room for a person of any size at all. When they do blow out, there is no warning at all and the coach drops.
On soil or gravel, wood cribbing is best. Any jackstand will penetrate the ground and can become unstable.
Word about jacking the rear of a GMC, you can get a head start by turning the rear height all the way up. You can then put a jack or cribbing under it, but then let the air off. If you do not let the air off and jack it any higher, you may damage a rear shock absorber. The can actually get quite high. You might be able to do what you need just by using the air and cribbing.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] best way to get under the rig? [message #302875 is a reply to message #302870] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 08:47 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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I agree, these things are lower than a snakes belly when they sit down, I always use a stack of 2x4s made into a sturdy box all nailed together, not just stacked on top of each other. Thats pretty secure, but still a little unnerving when you slither under the 6 ton beast
>
> I wouldn't use a stand on dirt. Get some 4x4 and crib with it, or build the blocks shown above. Actually, I won't use stands at all, I always crib
> with timber. I installed the torque arms on my 23' on one side in /on dirt. No problems. I have an eight ton bottle jack which cost 29.95 opn sale
> at TSC, and a 3 ton floor jack (which slowly leaks down) from Harbor Freight.
>
> --johnny
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
>
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302878 is a reply to message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 11:31 |
kstockwell
Messages: 367
Registered: May 2016
Location: Putney VT
Karma: 4
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Sheesh, I hadn't thought of the airbags letting go or blowing. I can't even imagine how low it sits then.
As far as the front, I'm still OK sliding under to the oil pan, right?
Thank you all, I'll jack and crib with wood, we have lots of wood.
I was told 100 pounds was max in the air bag, so that's as far as I've gone.
Cheers
kelly
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
[Updated on: Thu, 30 June 2016 11:32] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302879 is a reply to message #302866] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 11:42 |
77Royale
Messages: 461
Registered: June 2014
Location: Mid Michigan
Karma: 6
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Id still put a jack under the front just up and touching the cross bar. Not lifting, but just snug. Just in case. I have a 3 ton floor jack and it works fine. Better safe than flat.
I would not go over 100 psi in the bags.
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302881 is a reply to message #302878] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 12:00 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I could probably crush a Pop can with my trailer hitch when the airbags are flat. Wood blocks are easiest, if you are doing extensive work on it, those ramps sure are nice.
When I work on the engine sometimes, I run the front up on car ramps, and I have my wheel liners removed, and jack up and block the frame a little bit to expand the front suspension. I can squeeze easily between the tire and the wheel well up front to get at the sides of the engine easily.
Harbor freight is your friend, anything rated at 3 tons or greater will do you fine. the bogies suspension tends to make jacking a little more of a hassle as discussed above. a plate or block to keep the bogies from dropping as you jack will help you get the wheels off the ground easier. Also if the bag does go flat, it can be a little bit of a bugger to get a jack under it to get it off the ground. They make jack plates, and the original jack/chain that came with the coach help a little.
generally jacking under the bogies is a solid place to jack. Be a little more careful where you jack on the frame, and some have experienced windshield cracks when jacking up just one side of the front.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: best way to get under the rig? [message #302892 is a reply to message #302878] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 17:05 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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kstockwell wrote on Thu, 30 June 2016 11:31Sheesh, I hadn't thought of the airbags letting go or blowing. I can't even imagine how low it sits then.
As far as the front, I'm still OK sliding under to the oil pan, right?... Nope. If a torsion bar/socket turns loose, the front will mash you flatter than a pancake too. Wherever you are going to be under it, block it. If you are as fat as I am, you need to raise it some and then block it, front or back.
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| Re: [GMCnet] best way to get under the rig? [message #302893 is a reply to message #302878] |
Thu, 30 June 2016 17:02 |
rod utterback
Messages: 18
Registered: April 2016
Karma: 1
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Junior Member |
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I’ve been involved with cars, trucks ,motorcycles, and farm machinery for the last 40 years and I will say that anytime you are under a vehicle you are at great risk. The wrong support or support used incorrectly can be deadly. I only recommend steel jack stands for support. Buy properly built, rated, quality stands, you will be using them a lot so make the investment. Never use a floor jack as support device! Its purpose is only to raise or lower. Wood piers are only as safe as the person who built them. Wood rot, slips, splits, etc. Ramps (especially thin steel) are something to fear. I’ve seen many near misses with ramps particular during the setup or teardown stage. Use jack stands!
When working under a vehicle make sure it is solidly supported by jack stands on CONCRETE. Never dirt, or gravel, or concrete blocks. Farmers are crushed all the time when a piece of machinery falls when a jack stand sinks into the dirt.
Another hidden risk is an electric trouble light with a bare bulb. Add water or a flammable and someone can easily die. Use only an enclosed protected light source (battery operated LED is good).
This is why workers compensation insurance is so expensive. It’s dangerous and then add the size and weight of a GMC. I also received good advise on the lifting procedure. If you are lifting it completely off the ground, raise each rear side 5 inches at a time (with the front wheels on the ground). Secure the rear with jack stands placed before and after the rear wheels. Then lift the front in the center of the front cross member. Use jack stands next to each front wheel. All jack stands should be placed on the frame rails.
If it sounds like I’m preaching, I guess I am but I’m concerned for your safety and I had to say. Good luck. And welcome to the group!
Rod
1973 26ft
San Diego, ca
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