In the day, the teams got a bit tired of hoisting up cars with the bumper hooks and contraptions that levered the car up. For whatever reason, hydraulic jacks (like NASCAR) weren't commonly used trackside. Some recent photos posted on early Cobra's racing pictured the tubing used to do it.
Shortly thereafter, SA and others added pneumatic cylinders, plugged in trackside air, and popped the cars off the pavement for services. They had added air powered rams to lift the chassis and tires right off the pavement.
Currently, kits to do that run $800 up, and heavy sleeves are included, because these things leak down after awhile. Plus, adding onboard air doubles the cost.
Got to thinking what would be less expensive, still offer the ability to jack the car up, and feasibly work. Hmm. Electric powered would be nice, just run it off the battery. Fast isn't needed, just up. Load capacity wouldn't be that high, a 2,500 pound car, use 1,500 jacks each corner, properly mounted to the frame at appropriate points.
1,500 pound electric trailer tongue jacks.
Hey, don't go all tongue clucking what a hillbilly. :001_rolleyes: Here's the nice parts, they are relatively light weight, extend 12-18" depending. They eliminate carrying a jack, plus finding one that actually fits under the car, plus actually getting it on a good jacking point. These cars don't do that well, entirely the point of the bumper hooks. Electric jacks don't leak down, the gearing eliminates back driving and settling. And, you get to have another dash switch, plus, it jacks itself up! How cool is that?
Nobody is going to jump in and drive it off - a nice-to-have security feature. Plus, you will pwn the car show, very few do it. No problem with getting a mirror underneath, don't forget the angel hair.
Lots easier than hauling ramps around, too.
I fully expect someone to suggest that if they went up 8 feet you could park the family car underneath? Nope. But maybe your bike and mower.
I know you're overjoyed to know your taxes and debt are going to finance this out of my pension checks. . . :evil:
Shortly thereafter, SA and others added pneumatic cylinders, plugged in trackside air, and popped the cars off the pavement for services. They had added air powered rams to lift the chassis and tires right off the pavement.
Currently, kits to do that run $800 up, and heavy sleeves are included, because these things leak down after awhile. Plus, adding onboard air doubles the cost.
Got to thinking what would be less expensive, still offer the ability to jack the car up, and feasibly work. Hmm. Electric powered would be nice, just run it off the battery. Fast isn't needed, just up. Load capacity wouldn't be that high, a 2,500 pound car, use 1,500 jacks each corner, properly mounted to the frame at appropriate points.
1,500 pound electric trailer tongue jacks.
Hey, don't go all tongue clucking what a hillbilly. :001_rolleyes: Here's the nice parts, they are relatively light weight, extend 12-18" depending. They eliminate carrying a jack, plus finding one that actually fits under the car, plus actually getting it on a good jacking point. These cars don't do that well, entirely the point of the bumper hooks. Electric jacks don't leak down, the gearing eliminates back driving and settling. And, you get to have another dash switch, plus, it jacks itself up! How cool is that?
Nobody is going to jump in and drive it off - a nice-to-have security feature. Plus, you will pwn the car show, very few do it. No problem with getting a mirror underneath, don't forget the angel hair.
Lots easier than hauling ramps around, too. I fully expect someone to suggest that if they went up 8 feet you could park the family car underneath? Nope. But maybe your bike and mower.
I know you're overjoyed to know your taxes and debt are going to finance this out of my pension checks. . . :evil:
