2 x 4 Riser Wheel Stands - Why Pro Build Shops Use Them

I found that I could make each level, which gave me 3" of rise by using 1 x 8ft board, so at today's prices of $4/board, they cost $16 per every 3" of total car rise. Not bad given other options.
Check us out at www.RedlineStands.com for all the automotive shop equipment we carry.

[@rugwalle]

Didn't know I was running a pro build shop in my garage, but now I know!

[@snapon666]

for many many years now me too

[@charliedee9276]

I was a carpenter, I made mine years ago just because they were free being built from job scraps. Trusted them a lot more than jack stands. Had no idea about this particular reason however I understand. Had a 74 Vette that had to be jacked up carefully or it would get tweaked.

[@keyzpainting4133]

Wow, good to know. I have been fitting all my new panels and getting ready to weld them on. My car is on jack stands on my drive on lift.

[@kermitbearden7142]

If floor is uneven I support front suspension on the tires and support the rear axle at the differential. 3 points of support will allow the body to equalize itself. I did this with a 3rd gen camaro while installing subframe connectors and when finished the door fit was way better.

[@SavetheRepublic]

Been there, and have had my fair share of heated conversation over it as well.

[@benargee]

Seeing is believing and here we are.

[@damontellegen3569]

Obviously not a hot rod but if you ever put a Chrysler LeBaron convertible on the two post lift you can't even get the door open once it's up in the air. Great videos I've been following you for a while... genius

[@RedlineStands]

LOL. I'm going to step out on a limb on this one and say that LeBaron isn't a very rigid car.

[@damontellegen3569]

Like a tin can with wheels

[@seanseoltoir]

@@RedlineStands -- The roof provides a lot of structural integrity in a car, so in order to do a proper convertible, the designer needs to significantly reinforce it when makes the convertible heavier than the original hardtop version. Most manufacturers start out with a hardtop version and then decide to make a convertible version. If they don't add reinforcements, it could definitely give some flex when on a lift. On the other hand, Porsche came out with the Cayman after the Boxster, so it ended up being quite stiff since the Boxster was already engineered with reinforcements being that it was designed as a convertible.

[@TonyBasuro]

Back half the lebaron!. So I guess turn it into a chariot since it is front wheel drive

[@waterkeeper03]

Seen the opposite on a 60s corvette conv. Up on the lift and the door gap almost let them pop open.

[@RoddyDa]

Damn! I built my wheel stands for my 70’ Nova for the comfort aspect. Never would have considered the amount of flex it would get from taking it off the wheels

[@teagreen2220]

Definitely! Always build from the axles up. Of course you could also put the lifting device under the axles if 4wd. Great video!

[@keayrhyasen1154]

wow. i was just getting ready to weld on sub frame connectors on my '79 stang and was thinking about putting it on jack stands supporting the rear axle housing and some other spots up front. Thank You.

[@VIKING-SON]

Great advice I'm going to be restoring and modifying my 1984 Z/28 It makes perfect sense to go the extra mile to achieve great results...

[@markbro4427]

I remember getting a set of tyres on a pillarless coupe.... The tyre shop had a low lift, just enough to do tyres. I had to open a door for some reason and it wouldn't close correctly yet when back on the ground on its wheels it was fine.

[@melvync]

Long time ago I used some pieces of 12”x12” oak beams, from an old barn. Get the car up nice and high and rock solid stable.

[@BenVanAmburg]

Incredible advice! Archive this!

[@T3glider]

The 1/16” of flex you observed was the result of the difference between the wheelbase and the lift points of the hoist, which wasn’t very far apart! Wow!

[@ComplicatedStuff]

It’s also having the suspension components supporting the car versus having the suspension components hanging on the car outside of the lifting points.

[@robertfontaine3650]

Wheel cribs don't fail and they're cheap... definitely making me some tomorrow.

[@videomaniac108]

Thanks, this is great information to know. Logically, it would seem to be true but I never knew that the chassis would flex that much. I have a Nissan 370z on which I've made power and handling improvements and am in the process of adding some more chassis stiffening braces, in spite of the fact that it already has a very still chassis. I'm going to install all of the braces with the suspension loaded in its normal running state.

[@ronkrueger3496]

Yes. If you ever see a house moved to put in a basement or new foundation they use beams and cribs to set the house on to reduce flex on walls and windows

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

Right, but keep in mind that that cribbing is not made of soft 2x4s.

[@rfair123]

You could always extend the lift arms and support it by the suspension with the wheels off, giving you the same loaded flex and more room to work, but 2x4's are cheaper and easier :)

[@RedlineStands]

This is true. I think I went with the wooden cribs because I knew the car would be on the cribs for several months straight, and I didn't want to tie-up my lift during that time, so it's very common the car/cribs will sit to the side during these long tasks and leave the lift free for my other cars.

[@rfair123]

@@RedlineStands Now you just need another lift! :D Looking fwd to seeing the car done.

[@thevanvirgin]

Oh wow! That's incredible, would not have credited it would open up that much.

[@reno911yo]

Wow! This is golden info honestly thank you

[@RedlineStands]

You're very welcome. Please consider subscribing.

[@xmo552]

@@RedlineStands My dad did stuff like this. He was a body and paint man. The older the car is the more they flex also. He would critique these pro builds, because they looked like a million bucks to most people but a body guy can pick it apart from across the lawn. Body gaps can make or break your finish quality.

[@gmgt1982]

Also helps with cars that have been sitting awhile, so if a leak occurs you’ll be more likely to spot it.

[@noddey]

Would be interesting to see if there is a difference when using the liftpoints under rocker cover to using the stronger structural bodyparts underneath the car. If i can avoid it i never use the rocker cover lifting points.

[@Padanky05]

I watched an old coworker put quarters and floors in an old GTO and when they bolted it onto the frame, it buckled both quarters in front of rear tires. Looked like someone punted a foot ball into the sides.

[@benshakespeare268]

Man, that’s going to look good when it’s done!

[@NW-Scale]

I trust wooden cribbing like this more than I trust even a 500 dollar pair of heavy duty jack stands.

[@impactodelsurenterprise2440]

500 dollars for 2 stands is a rip off😂

[@craigd1275]

The old train trestles over rivers and other gaps were made of wood. They could hold a lot of weight and were reliable.

[@seanseoltoir]

Yes, *proper* cribbing can be trusted, but this is most definitely not "proper" cribbing. Proper cribbing is entirely in compression...

[@user-bg2oi4bz3p]

@@seanseoltoir That's right. I wouldn't use that contraption in the video. I made some and it is a solid block. "How Much Weight Can A 2×4 Hold? Horizontally, a 2×4 supports 20-40 pounds per foot if weight is evenly spread."

[@danielbarlow4344]

My full weight 92 Vette has been sitting on them for 4 years . I would much rather work under the car on those than any jack stands .

[@noeltrujillo6154]

What length are those 2x4 are cut? How many are cut for each? At what height? Thank you.

[@seanseoltoir]

I would not use his design for cribbing. The wheels are trying to push the cribbing apart instead of just being in compression, so there is more of a failure potential for them.

[@craigfinley7215]

Mine are all 12”x12”, 4 pieces per.

[@MustangGuru]

@@seanseoltoirthe wheel cribs are only supporting about 500lbs each

[@seanseoltoir]

@@MustangGuru -- Doesn't matter... It's a very unsafe design...

[@denali9449]

@@seanseoltoir Back this up with real numbers. Otherwise it is strictly conjecture on your part.

[@masscomnet]

I need some tuba-4 stands too.

[@chrism9976]

Worked on my gf's 350Z convertible while on jack stands. Doors were hard to close.

[@scottmoto]

Just found this. Very good info.

[@johnbarker5009]

Cribbing will also support a huge amount of weight. If you had a way to make it stable you could probably put the entire weight of the car on one stack of properly built 2x4 cribbing.

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

Properly built being the key. I'd go with a truss design, but I'm an engineer. (That puts his pants on the same way as any of you. I'm not talking down.)

[@johnbarker5009]

@@Dwigt_Rortugal I don't think you're talking down at all. I found it fascinating to realize so many of us endanger our lives under cheap, sheetmetal jackstands when a much better alternative is available. Not that these completely replace jackstands, but I think you get the point.

[@Denbar137]

It's called cribbing and I've used it for years. I make single stack blocks with mine which makes it easier and makes the height adjustable.

[@selbermacher1267]

Valuable tip, but... You have a caliper in your hand and then wiggle it around and say "probably a 16th". Can't help but notice the irony.

[@quinsattorney]

Good stuff. Thanks Dave. Thanks Redline.

[@damianporter7114]

What about welding it on a cart?

[@HR-rt9nh]

WOW 1/16th is a huge dif when you want perfection as many of would

[@adamcurtis83]

Superb tip

[@ronbunker5778]

Thats a good experiment...most of us would not have thought about that! Any special way to build those stands?

[@RedlineStands]

Not at all. It's just 2x4's and 3" wood screews. I just cut a couple pieces and mocked-up what I thought would be the appropriate spacing before I went crazy building them.

[@FlyGates8421]

Yeah I really appreciate that

[@JT-CO]

Solid advice. Thanks!

[@kevingross7082]

68 leMans convertible with a boxed frame. When I put it up on jack stands I cannot almost open the driver's door.

[@erichuff2538]

Dang.... good advice 👍🏻

[@markflierl1624]

Great video and your explanation makes sense.

[@vdubjunkie]

Thanks for this very insightful information!

[@royboy3597]

I have a car dolly I ordered from you guys coming tomorrow! And now you tell me l should of went to Home Depot!?

[@RedlineStands]

I don't follow you sir. These 2x4 wooden stands are not a dolly. Dollies support the car from the frame and allow you to roll it around. These 2x4 stands support it from the wheels and do not allow for any rolling. Two totally different things.

[@royboy3597]

Hi, I was kinda half kidding. I get what you said. When my 68 mustang convertible is on the lift. The door gap gets bigger. I bought the Dolly (should be on my porch today!...no joke) to work on 65 fastback. Floor pans etc. The rockers are good and without the drivetrain I think the Dolly should be perfect. Thanks for the reply 👍

[@RedlineStands]

@@royboy3597 Make sure you put a good endoskeleton in the car. You should never remove the floorpan without an inner structure to hold it all together. Thanks for the business!

[@genfiveten595]

Tuba four?

[@williepelzer384]

Same reason muffler shops use drive on hoists , so both sides are even! 😊

[@dogsbyfire]

Great video. Thanks!

[@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx31]

Has to sit on all fours for proper body alignment during welding

[@johnlynch7990]

What’s a Tubafour???

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Well that a new twist on what I had thought.

[@jeffrey1312]

They are cheap and sturdy if built correctly, but they are heavy and hard to store. If I wasn't so cheap I'd buy a set of the foam ones.

[@jeffalvich9434]

And don't forget when you install the glass and the other hardware in the door the door is going to sink about 1/8"

[@muthagoose69]

awesome information ... I know most people build them because it's like a new fad but glad to know what the purpose in them is.

[@denali9449]

New fad? We were doing this back in the 60's with our SCCA cars and then with our 'street-legal' hot rods.

[@muthagoose69]

@@denali9449 yeah i know it's been around forever, my uncle used to have em in his shop. It has become a recent fad. Go back 5 years ago and look at car shop vids and you rarely see them, but look at vids from this past year and everybody has em now.

[@LastWonBeats]

Smart people doing smart things

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

I'm not a smart man but I know what love is.

[@terriecotham1567]

Good cooks are worth the price.

[@rtkl13]

I'm kind of surprised that this is being brought up, I always thought it was common knowledge amongst car builders, but then again rotisseries have only been around for maybe 20 yrs

[@arneminderman3770]

Exelent info thanks from the netherlands

[@austindorf83]

What’s a tooba four?

[@crookedaxle]

Tuba four???

[@talltom1129]

I heard that too

[@jacko6652]

EXCELLENT! Thank you!

[@james10739]

Ya, you can do stuff at ride hight and falling off is almost impossible its much sturdier

[@racer67]

If you dont have a car lift it helps put the car higher up to get under it unless ur doing work were the wheel needs to be off its more trusting than jack stands🇺🇲

[@brandonadler1022]

Good point but whats the purpose of the caliper if you don’t read the disparity?

[@FilmBySaga]

how much weight can these wooden blocks hold?

[@RedlineStands]

Idk. I certainly haven't tested them to capacity, but I can tell you they appear to hold my 3200 lb car with ease.

[@shakester2010]

Nice f'n car!!! Love the wheels and tires!!!! :)

[@RedlineStands]

Thanks man!

[@TheGregWallace]

Comment.....I can't disagree with you and would do the same thing. I'm just wondering how a car factory does its welding because when a new car is built....they are not doing this.....?

[@Dnasty1]

How do you know the wood can support the car?

[@RedlineStands]

It's really just an estimated guess. 2x4's are pretty strong and I used 3" wood screws.

[@greenhometony]

People have been doing this for quite a while.

[@seanseoltoir]

It all depends upon the design. This is not a particularly good design though. The 2x4s should be only in compression.

[@jwbakker5100]

have a set too. Just hope you guessed right . Strang that you all have a lift like that , and see clearly how flexible it always is , and still use it to weld cars .

[@simoncowbell.6783]

I have 22" stands made from 4x4's and 2x4's with a detachable ramp. Best things ever. Not suitable for cars with low and long tail, though.

[@josephdifabio6083]

What's a tuba for?

[@dustingilmore2710]

Playing in a band silly. Don't travel much huh?

[@vice4134]

Out of curious, how did you build your stands?

[@chrisallen2005]

Serious? 2 x 4s and srews. May need a tape measure and a wood saw too.

[@vehdynam]

Thank you !

[@RedlineStands]

You're very welcome!

[@jeffprice2008]

how long are each 2by4 18in. , 24ins. ?

[@milsgarage]

*Awesome.*

[@josemedeiros007]

Excellent tip and video!

Pretty misleading. If you pick it up on a two post lift where the pads are only 4 ft (48 in) apart front to back, then of course you'll get some flex in the chassis when you lift it off the tires. That's because the lift point spacing is considerably more narrow than the wheel locations front to back. If you have it on jacks stand supporting the rear end and jack stands supporting the front end close to and just inside the control arms, you'll get nearly identical flex in the chassis as you would with it sitting on the ground. Apples and oranges comparing the chassis flex on the ground vs on a two post lift.

[@davidrichards7722]

Coming from the UK, that is is a really nice work shop, how do you keep it so tidy. You must have OCD😂😂

[@RedlineStands]

You down wit OCD? Yeah you know me!

[@karlmadsen3179]

No. I've not noticed that. In fact, this is the first time anyone has mentioned it.

[@joejoe5137]

What is a tubafore wheel stand?

[@jwbakker5100]

made from a music instrument

[@Jrock-69]

Same reason why you dont open convertible tops while its on a hoist

[@janofb]

Doesn't really apply to cars with full frames. I use a frame on the body dolly or I use a wooden dolly that connects at the frame mounting points.

[@RedlineStands]

I assure you sir it does. My car has an aftermarket frame.

[@janofb]

@@RedlineStands Then your lift is lifting on the body, not the frame and the body if flexing. Is your frame being used as a rocker? The lift is lifting on your rocker. If what your saying is true, your gaps change every time you go over a bump because then you're not sitting with the weight on the suspension.

[@denali9449]

@@janofb Ever been driving down the road with the top down and your arm resting on that gap between the door and the B pillar when you hit a bump? Still got the scar on the back of my upper arm from the 20 stitches they used to close up the gash when the frame on my GTO flexed and pinched my arm. Frames do flex and gaps change as you drive. The idea is to have the car in its natural 'at rest' position when you attach the panels.

[@janofb]

@@denali9449 It flexed because you had a convertible which has zero rigidity. Bodies on frames don't actually sit on the frame. They sit on rubber discs which absorb the minor flex a frame might exhibit in an extreme situation. A convertible body will flex in the wind even on a frame because it's inherently non-rigid BUT it will return to it correct gaps. It doesn't change because of what happens with the suspension.

[@denali9449]

@@janofb Your statement addressed cars with full frames, you did not exclude convertibles. Actually convertibles have additional bracing in the frame and weigh more than a comparable sedan or coupe. Supporting a frame at any point on the frame other than the suspension mount locations will alter the geometry of the frame/body compared to one resting on the suspension mounts - I think you tried to say this but it did not come across clearly.

[@ianpaterson5000]

I would never get under a car supported by wooden crates or hydraulic jacks. Steel ramps are sturdy and reliable.

[@atikovi1]

The way your tire sits in the wood like that, it's pressing the pieces outwards like a wedge. I hope the nails or screws you used are strong enough in side force, which they aren't really designed for. Would be be much better to make them so the force of the tire is straight down. Like maybe using 2x12 boards on the top 2 layers.

[@RedlineStands]

Used 3 inch wood screws. Been using these blocks on and off for years and they're still solid as the day I built them.

[@hansosl]

Some people really dont understand how tough wood is and wood screws

[@kurtthompson7732]

These cribs are improperly built and appear unsafe compared to designs where the longer 2x4's are underneath the tire supporting weight.

[@RedlineStands]

Maybe he's right; maybe he's wrong. Idk. I can only tell you that I've been using them for 6 months with no issue.

[@corystansbury]

​@@RedlineStands If we don't hear from you for a while, we'll assume you've changed your opinion. Looks fine to me.

[@mikeheggem9488]

All they need is blocking between each crossways 2×4 all the way to floor. Today's lumber isn't what it used to be.

[@johngarrison4228]

Cribbing is king!

[@iPrint3D]

Nice flag 🇺🇸🇺🇸 But in other news, I work at a bodyshop and ALWAYS weld the quarters/rearbodys with the suspension loaded.

[@martycaldwell7197]

Thinking the same thing we have known it years

[@seanseoltoir]

That is not the proper way to do cribbing blocks. The 2x4s should strictly be in compression.

[@neilsullada385]

I agree that looks sketchy as all hell

[@greg20152015]

This is awesome! 🤙

[@RedlineStands]

Thanks. Really glad to see my videos helping people.

[@geraldsims3137]

Calif. Pink ?

[@RedlineStands]

Don't look at me man... The cheapest 2x4's at Home Depot on that day were pink. Idk why

[@HalfBackCrack]

I use 2x4 cribs all the time.

[@stevedyer2003]

Put casters on them

[@carpballet]

Guys probably use 2x4s because of convenience. But holy ship, in compression only. That pink “stack” is a mess.

[@JasonStamis]

Where are you from, sir? I've never heard someone say "tuba" four before. I've heard a lot of different accents. I'm not making fun. I mean, I say I drink Wooder, so...

[@RedlineStands]

Born and raised in the Memphis area, so the South. I sounded "very" southern in high school, but that changed in college and morphed into whatever in the hell is this lingo I speak today.

[@JasonStamis]

Interesting, I guess I have more experience with the Carolina's and lower not as westward. Thanks for responding!

[@tomstiel7576]

somebody should show this to the nascar teams,,,,never ever seen them there ? wierd

[@keything8487]

why not show the numbers on the video?

[@tangomike1306]

about 10 Years too late for me.... learnd the hard way.

[@chrisregister8021]

Wow you don't even need the caliper you can see the difference!!!

[@rubenaguilera4527]

I prefer put the car in heavy jack stsn snd those wood stand left them in the wheel in case something go wrong

[@dff19707]

You think that is bad? I don’t even consider trying to close a door on my convertible when I jack up a corner.

[@Yosser70]

😂

[@aconesworld4936]

Naw never seen a shop use a “tuba fer bluks”……cause they use steel. Something about catch on fur and burn.

[@sarnxero2628]

2-buh-foh 😆 I love it