This modification is VERY simple, and helps protect your frame and other components from scratches and dings courtesy of your jack. I had been using a block of wood, but that got torn up quickly, and was about as stable as my ex-girlfriend. I had an idea. (don't cringe...this is a good one...heh heh) TIME: About 30 seconds. COST: $2.19 at my local HomeDepot. EXPERTISE LEVEL: 1 Most of us have a jack that looks like this: The circular plate can easily scratch the protective coating off the frame or other components. And if you accidentally ding something under the vehicle, it's probably scratched as well. I measured the circular plate (2.5") and proceeded to HomeDepot. There I found what I was looking for: It's a 2" rubber pipe cap. I know....I know. You're thinking that 2" is too small, but it's actually not. It's just the right size. The caps come with a ring clamp, but that can be tossed or put in the ring clamp jar (if you have one like I do). Set the cap on top of the circular plate on the jack: Apply even pressure on all sides of the cap: (I was using the other hand to....................take the picture) The cap is flexible so it will form over the top of the circular plate and stay attached. Voila! The circular plate is now covered and your vehicle's frame and other components are protected. The cover is cheap and easily replaced if damaged. Enjoy! ©2008 Kevan J. Geier All Rights Reserved. ADMIN/MODS- I wasn't sure where to put this, so if you need to move it that's cool. It'd probably be good in ALL the DIY sections here.
who'd of ever thought a jack condom you should make some and sell them you may have just given away your fortune, seriously thats a GREAT idea and thanks for sharing
Nah...I've seen "jack condoms" before. It's nothing new, really. Many shops use thick (about 1/2"), heavy-duty rubber squares on their jacks and lifts. BTW- If you're worried about the cap slipping, use the ring clamp that came with the cap! Once the ring clamp is on, just cover it with some electrical tape to keep the clamp from scratching stuff. Again: cheap, quick, and easy to replace.
:hmm:Ok, I'd give that a 10 for innovation 10 for implementation, finding the solution and finding it at Home Depot 10 for effectiveness at what it's intended for but... get a good bit of weight on there, get it on there crooked, jacking point not square, just catch an edge of a rail, or things shift on you that's going to be like snot on a door knob. I've seen and had cars slip off a jack more than a couple of times. I think I'd opt for being really careful getting it under there and use blocks when necessary (things bite into wood).
Thanks! I was worried about slippage too.....but..... 1. Note the 4 raised sections on the cup on the jack. Those will dig into the underside of the rubber cap once pressure is put on the cap. 2. The circumference of the cap provides a positive hold onto the cup. It's slightly smaller size gives it a nice grip and prevents "spin" or "clocking". 3. The hose clamp that came with the rubber cap can be used to prevent slipping between cap and cup. I honestly see more potential for slipping with a piece of wood than I do with this. The rubber has more 'gription' on the part it's touching (vehicle frame) whereas the face of the wood has very little 'gription' and would be more susceptible to slipping off the frame rail. Lastly, this is a jack. It is for raising or lowering a vehicle. It should NOT be used to hold a vehicle up while working on it. That's what jack stands are for!!!!! ALL jacks can slip and/or fail. Use of a brain is REQUIRED for proper operation and safety.
Yea, it would seem that way but I think anything soft enough to not scratch or ding is going to be like a gummy bear when you put enough weight on it. I think it you're really careful and keep that in mind it should be just fine. I didn't have a brain when I was younger. Usually didn't own jack stands or I wasn't jacking up the car at home when I did. I always figured if I wasn't crawling ALL the way under the car I'd probably be all right. haha. I still change tires with only a floor jack but now I chock the wheels.
Yeah. Just don't lick the gummy bear. :grin: Try this: - Take a piece of wood and a piece of dry semi-soft rubber. - Slide the pieces across a metal or stone surface. - Note that the wood slides much easier along the surface than the rubber. The rubber *can* slip, but the wood will slip first. Oh, I was young once too. LOL Wheel chocks, transmission in P (or 1st), and e-brakes are quick lessons learned.
Sure, but put about 800 lbs. on about 2 square inches. Actually there is probably a very small weight range where it would be like a gummy bear before the "edges" just punched through the rubber cap. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea and it's on my list for Home Depot tomorrow but it's just something to keep in mind.
I hear ya. That's why I opted for a nice thick cap instead of a simple sheet of rubber. The cap is about 1/2" thick on it's 'face'. It'll take a good amount of force for the jack cup to "punch through". The walls of the cap are about 1/4" thick, which makes it slightly deceiving. ---------------- NOTE: There's no such size as "2.5" for these caps. Don't bother looking for them. Your options are: 1.5", 2", 3", or 4". Oh, and if you're looking for jack stand covers, I picked up a pair of decent rubber ones at HarborFreight for less than $5. Your local auto parts store probably has them as well. Wow- after a quick search, I found that I saved about $14! http://www.protechproducts.net/jackpads.htm Not bad....
