Lifting front of car with jack

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by thomassster, Oct 15, 2021.

  1. thomassster

    thomassster Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2015
    239
    83
    0
    Location:
    Colorado, US
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    So the front of the car is really low. Even with my 1.5 ton jack, the height is about 5.25 inches and the car’s panels are about 5”. I can’t roll the jack underneath the car to lift up the front jack point. I know I can lift up the rear jack point easily and use jack stands on the rear which allows enough clearance to fit my jack underneath the front. What are people’s strategy on lifting the front up?
     
    #1 thomassster, Oct 15, 2021
  2. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    950
    533
    0
    Location:
    Cow-lee-fornia
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Ramps?
     
    #2 CooCooCaChoo, Oct 16, 2021
  3. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    4,315
    1,494
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    If you can't get at that the center front jack point, it's usually easier to safely use the side frame.
    Ya know, the spot where you want to put the jack stand.
    It's not always the best idea to use the lower control arm.
    If ya get that spot wrong or the arm is wet or oily the jack can slip down the arm as you're half way up the suspension travel range.
     
    #3 vvillovv, Oct 16, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,433
    40,235
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    @jerrymildred fashioned some low-lift timber ramps: two layers of 1.5"x, for a total lift of 3". You drive the front wheels up onto those, then there's enough clearance to roll under most any floor jack.

    And roll you will need to do: the front jack point is 4+ feet back. With that 3" extra lift you should just have enough clearance, to move the jack handle up and down, very limited travel till you get going.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 16, 2021
    vvillovv and jerrymildred like this.
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,135
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    #5 jerrymildred, Oct 16, 2021
    vvillovv and Mendel Leisk like this.
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,319
    2,324
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The answer is a low profile "racing jack: that lowers to three inches.
     
    #6 Georgina Rudkus, Oct 16, 2021
    vvillovv likes this.
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    4,315
    1,494
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The answer is ........

     
    #7 vvillovv, Oct 16, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)