[LeMansBMW335i]

I wanted to be able to set my car on jack stands safely and securely. Instead of buying the current jack adapters on the market, I decided to make my own by modifying some cheap, readily available jack stands. The jack stands aren't destroyed for use on other vehicles, but may or may not work any more depending on what you are trying to support with them.

Purchase:
Jack Stands (4 needed for whole car)
Tools:
Reciprocating saw (much better to have a horizontal and vertical bandsaw)
Grinder
Optional:
Paint

1. Buy some jack stands. I chose the Central Machinery 3 Ton jack stands found at Harbor Freight Tools because I can get them for $15 which makes this a cheap project. The $15 coupons are in lots of magazines or you can even print from the web (just verify the expiration date). What is important to note on the jack stands you buy is that you will be able to have a pad on the top that is 1" x 2" when you are done with this DIY. That fits well in the 1.25" x 2.25" opening found on the BMW jack pad.

2. Mark the cast iron piece where you want to cut. You want a 1" x 2" pad left over after you cut the material away. Since the jacks I used were just about 1" wide, all I had to be concerned with was having a 2" wide section left when I was done cutting. All the "X" areas in the picture need to be removed.

3. I made the long cut first. A word of warning: I did the first one using a reciprocating saw. I used a lot of oil while cutting, but still managed to go through 2 blades and it took me about 30 minutes. I highly recommend using a horizontal bandsaw (which took about a minute) instead, but I know not everyone has access to that. You could even use a grinder or cutting wheel as another alternative.

4. Now you can make the 2 remaining smaller cuts. You can cut or grind these off. I had access to a vertical bandsaw so I used that to make quick work of this.

5. Clean up the cuts and knock down all the sharp edges with a grinder.

6. Clean off any oil on the part and add a layer of paint if you want for protection. My pictures don't show this but I will be doing it.

I did all the "machine work" for this project (4 jack stands) in less then an hour. If you don't have a vertical or horizontal bandsaw, it might be worthwhile to see what any basic machine shop would charge for it.

[335iFab]

I don't think most of us will have the tools to cut/shape the stands but good DIY

[CRG3]

Great idea! I'm surprised no one ever thought of this before - good work!

[NiVeDh]

Good stuff!

[SilverII]

nice diy

[MrQuickR1]

I have to admit, this is a damn good idea!
I too don't trust the stands on the outside edges of the jack points.
Thanks for the tip, I'll have to start the hack saw up lol

[DKx]

Almost identical as my solution posted here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=36201&page=3.
Its definitely the cheapest way what is still save enough.

@335iFab: You don't need some extra tools else standard home metal-saw. 10 minutes of sweating and it's done.

[AlanAZ]

I got a some hockey pucks, cut them to fit inside the jack points with a hacksaw, and use them with my unmodified jack stands. Works brilliantly.

[david-m]

Nice

[ozzy1]

Originally Posted by AlanAZ

I got a some hockey pucks, cut them to fit inside the jack points with a hacksaw, and use them with my unmodified jack stands. Works brilliantly.

Likewise.

Good diy though. Thanks.

[obert]

Great idea !

[LeMansBMW335i]

Now if I could just figure a simple way to get my car lifted onto the jack stands I'd be set! The front, central jack point is just too far under the car to get my jack into. I had to drive up onto two 2x4's stacked (3" total height) so that my hydraulic jack would clear!

[jcannon86]

good idea!

[e90TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by LeMansBMW335i

Now if I could just figure a simple way to get my car lifted onto the jack stands I'd be set! The front, central jack point is just too far under the car to get my jack into. I had to drive up onto two 2x4's stacked (3" total height) so that my hydraulic jack would clear!

That's easy! Just jack up the car from the rear side jack point. Place a jackstand under the front jack point and another under the rear lower control arm mount to the subframe. DO NOT PLACE IT UNDER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM!!!!! The do the same for the othe side. Takes about 5 min to put the whole car on jackstands. Car WILL easily rock while jacking up the second side, car is basically being held up by the jack and front jackstand, unless you place some weight in the back. It's a little worrysome at first but I've done this a dozen times now without issue. I happen to have my 2 corner loaded subs and it's nearly perfectly balanced.

[desmo001]

Good idea. I twisted one of the plastic jack points off my car using a standard jack stand. A Sawzall with a metal blade would work fine also... relatively soft metal in the jack stands.

[StevenY.]

That's a great idea, thanks!

[N54 TuNeR]

thats a good idea thx

[mkPOTO]

awesome! need to get this done asap!

[essex_lad]

I done the exact same thing a few days ago lol.

[mrgreenwood]

Great DIY

[brocklanders]

you should sell these.

[PHXE90]

This is a great DIY. I usually end up placing the jack stands on parts of the subframe.