Jack/Lift Z convenience plate?

This is an item for any Z owner over the age of 35 (back wearing out) who has to lift thier Z at the AX or road track to make changes for track use.

I am going to install a jack convenience plate under my Z and wonder if anybody has done one they can share. The plate would be at side weight mid point of the Z. The plate would fit and hold a standard floor racing jack lift pad. Its purpose would be to allow for very quick and convenient lifting of the Z to easily and quickly take wheels on and off and conduct other actions at the track.

My current lifting set up is just too time consuming at the track. With lower springs, 17” track wheels, front spoiler, and rear dual exhaust in the way of the DIF, it is very hard, if not impossible, to get at the regular mid front and mid rear jack points. With 2x6’s under the tires and using the OEM tire change jack points is not a good track system for quick tire changes or adjustment of shocks and camber arms. It takes me a very long time to turn the street possum into a track wolverine.

While having some work done by one of our grand high Z pooh bahs (in Nashville, Doug Crawford - CrawfordZ), I thought I would ask his counsel on this subject. When I had my Z up on the lift he fiddled with the locations and he established at a 50/50 balance point just back from the front tire change lift point. This point however is not at a perfect structural location. He suggested some sort of plate would have to be welded to bridge two semi structural members to make 1 good structural spot. He added that when he was racing Zs, they would weld a very short piece of round steel tubing/rod to a steel plate that matched up with the floor jack lifting pad at the 50/50 weight point.

SO, has anybody done this to their Z to make it more convenient to lift the Z for “track transformation” actions?

Suggestions??

THANKS!

 

Nice Idea.. Tag

 

yeah, I'd be interested in this too, it would cut down on the time needed to change from street wheels to race wheels and back again, which I do a lot :-P

 

No, but I have always used my low pro jack at this balance point, jury rigged with a 2x4 or 2x2 to clear the seam (don't use a 2x4, to wide). I have just been putting off getting or making an adapter to specifically bridge the seam, that also distributes the weight along this area.

...Sounds like a good idea, post some pix when it's done.

 

I'm curious to see exactly where the plate would anchor.

The jack up locations are reinforced to carry the weight of the vehicule. I'm afraid of bending the frame if I jack it anywhere else.

 

I purchased this item just for this use. It replaces the saddle on the floor jack and spans the pinch seam. One of my jacks had a retaining clip holding the saddle in place and another low profile aluminum model didn't. I drilled a hole in the saddle to fit this adaptor in that case. This is from www.eastwood.com if the link doesn't work.
http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/pro...1&keyword=jack
Eastwood Company: Auto Tools, Body Repair, Classic Car Restoration, House of Kolor Paint, Powder Coating

 

Yes I have an lift pad similar to the Eastwood item that slips up into the lift flange. It is hard plastic and is designed to use on a floor jack at the flat tire lift points fore and aft. I am thinking about having a lift point at the 50/50 mid point that is about 1 foot back from the front lift point. This 50/50 spot does not have a single spot that would take the weight. So it seems as if it would require the fabrication of a plate to handle the weight.

 

I've used a similar 'jack point' on my Nissan SCCA GT racecars for some time now. If you can locate the balance point properly, it would be great to insert a jack point to support the car as you jack the side up. Problem is, a removable jack point like that would be have to be cut and welded into the side of your Z. The fabrication may or may not be worth the time and expense to do it right.

I'm stickin' with my low profile jack for now!

 

What low profile jack are you using?

 

I am using a 3" low profile jack

 

What brand...Where did you get it....I'm looking for one

 

JC Whitney has a jack pad that I am using - black plastic $8

the other one suggested here is from Eastman - see above