first64riv Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) Hey y'all, I've been driving my 1964 a bit more and I don't have a jack, nor a spare for that matter, but I am wondering what you have as a jack in your trunks? On my old 66 Impala, it had the original bumper jack. These are a little pricey and I'm wondering if there are comparable SAFE alternatives. Thank you Chris Edited February 2, 2017 by first64riv (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 AAA card and a cell phone. I've always found the stock bumper jack to be adequate for a quick tire change, but NFW is any part of me going under that car. If that's a little more pucker factor than you're comfortable with, you might consider a small floor jack or bottle jack for portable use. Harbor Freight has some small, cheap jacks that might serve for such a purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first64riv Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks KongaMan! I've got two floor jacks in the garage. I will probably pick something up at Harbor Freight. I'm thinking a farm jack. I'll never use it in the garage, just on the side of the road. AAA...yeah you can't beat that. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I saved the scissor jack and crank handle from my old '89 C1500 pickup. It's a sturdy item and works smoothly since it spent its entire life in the compartment behind the seat. I'll bet you could find something like at in your neighborhood junk yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 In that vein, you might look for a jack from an older (late 80s - 90s) Jeep Cherokee. It's a screw jack that's designed to lift the axle (so you don't have to worry about it fitting the frame or bumper, and -- because you're lifting the axle -- you don't need to jack the whole car up real high to get the wheel off the ground). Not sure where you'd put it on the front (maybe the lower control arm around the shock mount?), but it's small and light and has a long, foldable crank. In fact, I just used mine last week (for the first time in the 27 years I've owned the vehicle). I can't imagine anything easier. As EmTee says, it was in great shape since it was stored under the back seat that whole time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riv2x4 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I carry a small Craftsman portable floor jack. No confidence in bumper jack, especially on side of expressway with traffic blowing by at 70+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimm63 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 58 minutes ago, riv2x4 said: I carry a small Craftsman portable floor jack. No confidence in bumper jack, especially on side of expressway with traffic blowing by at 70+. Exacctly what I have. Came in a nice blow molld case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Small Harbor Fright bottle jack and a couple of wood blocks in a small bag tucked way up by the spare. Make sure to store the bottle jack upright to avoid fluid draining. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 A scissor jack will work fine on the front but because of the shape of the rear wheel arch, if you use a scissor jack on the rear, you'll actually push that rear wheel farther up into the body and you'll have a dickens of a time getting the wheel/tire free of the car. I tried that once and wound up using the scissor jack to get the wheel off the ground then I had to use the bumper jack to gain clearance to get the tire off. NOT something I'd want to do again, especially on the side of the road. I know a few guys who carry a spare and a AAA card. have them bring the floor jack and get dirty. The quality of today's tires doesn't really necessitate the need for a spare and a jack any more, does it?. When is the last time that you had a flat in your 'classic?' Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first64riv Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 3 hours ago, RivNut said: A scissor jack will work fine on the front but because of the shape of the rear wheel arch, if you use a scissor jack on the rear, you'll actually push that rear wheel farther up into the body and you'll have a dickens of a time getting the wheel/tire free of the car. I tried that once and wound up using the scissor jack to get the wheel off the ground then I had to use the bumper jack to gain clearance to get the tire off. NOT something I'd want to do again, especially on the side of the road. I know a few guys who carry a spare and a AAA card. have them bring the floor jack and get dirty. The quality of today's tires doesn't really necessitate the need for a spare and a jack any more, does it?. When is the last time that you had a flat in your 'classic?' Ed I thought about a scissor jack, but thought against it because those are really for modern cars. I don't believe our Riviera's have the pinched seam that scissor jacks use on the modern cars. I like the idea of carrying a spare and having the tow guy change the tire. I'll figure it out! In regards to the flat...I've never had one in my classics. However, I haven't really driven long distances in them. Thanks to all! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodayguy Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 3 hours ago, RivNut said: I know a few guys who carry a spare and a AAA card. have them bring the floor jack and get dirty. This. I don't trust that old jack in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 42 minutes ago, first64riv said: I thought about a scissor jack, but thought against it because those are really for modern cars. I don't believe our Riviera's have the pinched seam that scissor jacks use on the modern cars. I like the idea of carrying a spare and having the tow guy change the tire. I'll figure it out! In regards to the flat...I've never had one in my classics. However, I haven't really driven long distances in them. Thanks to all! Chris I think that most everyone here is suggesting that the scissor jack be placed under the axle, not under the body. At least I hope that no one is thinking about using ANY kind of jack that uses a point on the body for a lift point. Think about how old and rusty those frame to body bolts are. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodayguy Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) Not sure where I got this, but I have it saved on my desktop. Proper lift points? And where you might put four jack stands? Edited February 2, 2017 by bodayguy (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I was sitting in an airport bar when a 747 pilot sat down on the stool next to me. I asked him a similar question. "What do you carry for tools and spares if you have a problem during the flight?" He reached in his pocket and showed me a paper clip and a shoelace. Wow! Me too. We put down a couple more drinks and I figured things were pretty well under control for both of us. There is a picture of a guy changing a rear tire on a first generation Riviera with a bumper jack next to the word "precarious" in the dictionary. You'll need a scissors jack and a bumper jack to change a rear tire. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 You are right about the tires and AAA. Still, I feel a little naked without a jack, tire iron, two screwdrivers, duct tape and an adjustable wrench in the trunk. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 11 minutes ago, petelempert said: You are right about the tires and AAA. Still, I feel a little naked without a jack, tire iron, two screwdrivers, duct tape and an adjustable wrench in the trunk. PRL Some time ago on the old Riviera Owners forum there was a discussion on what all should be included in a "tool box" to be taken with you in a Riviera. If I remember correctly, the most agreed upon items were a "church key", bottle opener, cork screw, wine tool, bread knife, cheese slicer, and anything else that would help you enjoy yourself once you got to your destination. No mention of any actual tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 25 minutes ago, bodayguy said: Not sure where I got this, but I have it saved on my desktop. Proper lift points? And where you might put four jack stands? Yep, under the frame. If you've ever used a two post hoist, it won't take you long to figure out where the balance points are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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