[PolynesianPowerhouse]

Currently I have a harbor freight 1.5 ton jack, I also have a 2 ton set of jack stands.

Something I noticed was last summer out, it was hot....surface temps when we ran was easily 137-144. I remember jacking the car up, and the front roller and the jack stands left the lil "L" shapes in the asphalt.

One racer said it'll leave a mark, but theres concrete under so it will only go so far. while kinda comforting, I've noticed now where I live, also switched to asphalt....same thing is occurring. one time I actually watched the jack twist a bit from not being able to move.

now while strong, i'm not strong enough to lift 2000lbs and I would like to live just a bit longer than lack of caring about this issue could allow me

so my question is, while I've researched WHAT others have used:

-some say 3/4 inch plywood.
-others say the jack pads from northern tool that's like a composite material.
-others say the best route on the jack stands is to weld steel plates to the bottom.

I also looked on tire rack, since they are partners with the track night in America, and noticed the jack stands they offer, similar or rebadged Torrin, aluminum units have a flat plate as a base. only 6 or 7 inches wide for the base...but a solid base none the less.

so which route have yall taken if anyone has had this problem, with soft surfaces and heavy objects on metal stands/jacks

I thought about metal plates just to set things on, jack included. but then theres the issue of possible slippage. the wood, I'd figure could/would crack.

any suggestions?

[PinHead]

I've used Plywood, its cheap, light weight and can be used for other purposes

If it cracks Up-Size to a thicker width

[Stephen12ZL1]

some at VIR use a small sheet of stainless and jack on that to prevent the asphalt dimples

[Norm Peterson]

I've used scraps of 3/8" plywood under floor jacks at NJMP. They don't take up much space, so there's usually a couple in the trunk along with the floor jack that lives there pretty much full time.

IIRC, NJMP at least used to require something be placed under jacks or jackstands if you were on their asphalt. Cheap enough to replace if they get dimpled badly enough or start coming apart, and even that's only if I run out of usable scraps.


Norm

[apexit53]

yeah something flat that uses up the surface area of the stant so it stays level will work just fine. 3/4" plywood works for me.

[PolynesianPowerhouse]

Appreciate the replys. Found a 2x2 foot of 23/32 plywood for about 7$ They had a 2x4 foot of pressure treated 3/4 for about 3 times the cost.

Will try and finally get to the diff fluid tomorrow after 24 hours of lemans.