Different ways of lifting the gen5

Yes, Toyota intends you to lift on the reinforced lip. I've done it with and without a pinch weld adapter using a floor jack, and I now just go without. After several liftings, I've seen no hint of damage. I plan to continue to lift on the lip until/unless corrosion appears in the area. Then I might switch to using an adapter.

 

I ordered a pair of these pinch weld adapters for the Pittsburgh 3T aluminum jackstands, I am using a smaller pair from the same guys a few years ago on some 2T steel jackstands and they're pretty good.

Jack stand adapter fits GM Chevy, VW, Ford, Cadillac fits 3-4 ton axle stands | eBay

SM-G781V ?

 

You would just need to shim the adapter with some washers, and possibly use longer bolts to make the slot wider to accommodate the width of your pinch welds.

Four washers, 2 on each side, sandwiched between the center block and sides of the adapter should increase the width of the slot of the adapter while keeping the adapter centered on the jack saddle.


SM-G781V ?

 

Another way (albeit much more expensive) of lifting a Gen 5. Car Care Nut 's video also has some setup tips for the QuickJack and his use of this is seen in some of his older videos before he started making all his relevant videos in his own shop. This is still a possibility for me but time will tell.

 

I picked on of those up at a Harbor Freight a few years ago. It was low enough to use to get far enough under to swap winter/summer wheels on the Corolla.

I just bought some four inch ramps. Still a bit low but likely safer for oil changes. I found that taller ramps don't fit under the Prius.

I had one nut terribly overtightened-- enough to warp a rotor. With a good jack rotations and changes aren't very tough and you'll know everything was torqued correctly.

 

Well, until you realize you're as fallable as the next guy. Snugging the lug nuts, lowering the car, declaring it done, does happen. Tricks help. For that, I lay the pre-set torque wrench on the floor, close to the wheels I've got the wheel chocks on, somewhere I'm sure to spot it.

 

When the next guy is a lad with an impact wrench working on a car he doesn't own, I believe I'm considerably less fallible. If I somehow screw up turning a torque wrench, at least I know who to blame.

I do have limits. I couldn't get the factory oil filter off and I didn't want to break anything so I left it. Younger me would have kept at it until something broke.

 

I'm pretty sure I have the 8.5" RhinoRamps and I have no problems with clearance.

 

Low rise ramps you can even just cobble something out of 2x lumber. I fashioned some up and over ones, using 2x4’s on edge, but in hindsight something like 2x8’s on the flat would be a lot easier.

 

Those are really solid, but I bet they are back breakers too.

These are 5 lbs per pair and give about 2.5 inches of lift, enough to get a jack under a central jack point far back from a low front valence, or front rocker panel/side skirt.

It's on sale now, under $22.

Low Profile Car Ramps for Oil Changes 2.4'' High Portable Ramp Special for Lower Cars and Trailer Tire Change, for Car Lift Vehicle Maintenance for Garage, Upgrade with Anti-Slip Rubber Pads https://a.co/d/bvqTt19

SM-G781V ?

 

Just calculated but likely close:

10’ of 2x4 at 1.67 lb per, say 17 lb. The deducted chamfers likely equivalent to the thd rod nuts and washers, so I’ll say 17 lb total. Comfortably cumbersome.

 

Three-Stage RV Leveler RampsThree-Stage RV Leveler Ramps

 

You can get replacement floor jack cradles with a flat rubber face.

what I do for tire rotations is:

1. chock rear wheels and release parking brake.
2. Raise front and settle onto jack stands.
3. Raise rear and settle onto jack stands.

Addendum:

If you don't have an impact, good to loosen all lug nuts before raising.

 

I searched the seller's inventory and found these adapters made for the type of pinch welds your car seems to have. They have wider channels in them to accommodate the folded edge of the pinch weld.

Jack Stand Adapters For Toyota GR Corolla GRC | eBay

SM-G781V ?

 

Some pictures from the listing.



SM-G781V ?

 

I get the sense the 5th gen scissor jack bearing points are actually usable, as-is; the proscribed zone is beefed up some?

 

Here's the alternate rubber cradle I'm using with my floor jack, when needed:

Floor Jack Saddle

The only issue: it's got a great goober of weld going 'round the junction betwee locator pin and underside plate. that weld means it doesn't fit well with my jack. I cobbled a wooden washer between the jack and cradle to accomodate the weld:



Also have this, for getting a bit more lift:


^Note grain on the two wood blocks is at 90 degrees, and there's a couple of locator dowels between the two wood blocks.

Then there's my Tesla3 adapter:



^They have no front or rear jacking points, only 4 side rail points. You push the pin into holes, roll a floor jack under it. A royal pain: The adapter is a commerially available item, $5~6 apiece. A hockey puck would serve in a pinch, that's all it is, albeit with a locator pin, which is handy, keeps it located laterally and won't fall off.


^All 4 wheels were rolled up on the aforementioned ramps, only way I could get the floor jack under the puck:


The whole menagerie: