Came across this photo and thought it might be helpful to anyone just starting out. It is a subject raised here from time to time...supporting your Mustang while you are under it. This is what I did the past year based on recommendations from the members of this forum. Originally I was using ramps and aside from blocking the tires, nothing else. Here it is sitting on good name brand jack stands under the rear axle, the jack remains in place with some pressure still on it, and the tire and some scrap lumber are under the rail with no weight on them. I could lose any two support systems and still get out from under the car.

 

Forget the newbies, I use backups all the time. Watching cars bounce around with no warning in an earthquake teaches you an unforgettable lesson, lol.

Even in non earthquake area, a smart mechanic never fudges safety. Thanks for the pic, H.

CP

 

I was bad when I first started out. I used to put jack stands on Concrete blocks until I read an article in the paper. I think it was in california, some guy had the same setup and the jack literlly fell right through the block and the F-150 crushed the guy. I now get big pieces of scrap lumber to put the jack stands on and I always have a few spares under a frame rail just incase the other ones where to shift off the lumber.
That is a nice idea uses a tire with the lumber, good tip.

 

OK. Not the best way.

CP

 

And I believe that at some time it was pointed out this guy appears to be welding near the gas tank as well.

 

Carlos, you are hilarious! I was just going to look for that picture when I first saw this post.

Good tip! It is also worth pointing out that the cheap "exhaust tubing" style jack stands are inherently unsafe. They can support a good amount of weight vertically, but little with a side load. It is quite common to see one fail unexpectantly when you jack the front of the car up, place the cheap stands at their maximum working extension, and then as you jack up the rear of the car, they crumple. Please use quality stands like the ones in the pictue above. Not only are they safer, but they can raise the car higher.

 

First time I have seen that picture (crazy green truck shot). HOLY CRAP

 

best buy i made was these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38847
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42820
stands were $25 and jack was $100 on sale.so 150 +tax and your set.just have to wait till next sale but they have them all the time.love the jack on the mustang because it sticks out from under car with the handle never have to worry about hitting car

 

Here in Okla. City area we've had two guys this past year who died because a car fell off the jacks. The news didn't say what type of supports they had, but the last one said that high winds help the car fall. Anytime I jack a car I push on the car to make sure it is stable (w/stands). I never get under a car with out some support. And I wish the news would report how the accident occured so others would not make the same mistake.

 

no such thing as overkill when it comes to safety