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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: kram350kram on Monday,September 07, 2020, 08:29:58 PM

Title: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: kram350kram on Monday,September 07, 2020, 08:29:58 PM
Can't find any info on the stock locations to jack the car if out on the road with the stock factory jack? Any input appreciated. Thanks
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: jbcollier on Monday,September 07, 2020, 08:59:32 PM
Look in the owners manual:

http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/tcowner/index.htm
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: kram350kram on Tuesday,September 08, 2020, 07:11:31 AM
Thanks, didn't have a manual, but do now. Not sure about jacking on fiberglass, but I guess it's been done many times. Regards
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,September 08, 2020, 07:47:15 AM
It's completely safe. Remember, you are jacking on the corner of a vertical piece so it's very strong.
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: dakazman on Tuesday,September 08, 2020, 08:34:03 AM
     I would also use a rubber pad suitable for the jack.

Dakazman
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,September 08, 2020, 09:01:01 AM
For the record, I only use the stock scissor jack on the fiberglass and I use a floor jack on the frame or the tranny. That's not for any structural reason but for a practical reason.

I jack up the car with the scissor jack enough to get my floor jack under the junction of the 'T' and the backbone. Then I jack the front of the car up onto stands. Then I jack on the tranny so that I can put a "stand" under the rear tranny hoop. I built one out of 2x6s. It looks like a small stool but anything that will support the rear of the car on the hoop would be fine. I reverse the process when I put it on the ground. I lower the rear onto the ground, lower the front with a floor jack till it's high enough to use the scissor jack, then pull the floor jack out and lower the scissor jack.

One day I'll design something to accelerate the process but I don't have a lot of room in front of the car so it will be a challenge!
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: rjbaren on Wednesday,September 09, 2020, 04:48:47 AM
BDA,
Can you please take a picture of the rear stand you built for the hoop from 2x6 and the dimensions?  Also,  where are you placing the stands in the front?
Thanks,
Rick
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,September 09, 2020, 08:44:49 AM
Here's a picture of my rear stand. I was mistaken, it's made of 2x8s. It's about 13 1/2" tall. If I need it to be taller, I just add some extra wood on top.

I position jack stands at the ends of the 'T.' The driver's side is a little more difficult because of the closing plate - there is very little room between the edge of the plate and the end of the 'T.' I've already lowered the car on the closing plate so it's a little buggered. Oh well...
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,September 09, 2020, 09:26:46 AM
Here’s what I use:

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-PRTWCMN/A

2x2 1/8” square tube steel with a slot cut for the hoop.  Absolutely rock solid.
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,September 09, 2020, 09:29:08 AM
JB definitely has the classier setup!
Title: Re: Spare tire jack point 1974 T/C
Post by: Gary t on Wednesday,September 09, 2020, 10:37:06 AM
I copied JBs solution but being mostly a wood guy I used 3 2x4 s with the center one cut to fit the hoop then screwed into a beam. Three summers and all is well.