Jerry's Evolving Thoughts on "new-to-me" Prime Premium

I thought about spray painting that spot with highlight color for an easy identification, but I haven't. Yeah, trying to hit that front jacking point is so difficult and cumbersome, I have resorted to jacking mine up from the sides for now. I think it is just as quick as fiddling with the center jack point.

from thread: Please show me where the floor jack suppose to go! | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

It looks like a flat rubber cradle would be good for that application. PowerFist (aka cheap made in China, lol):

Floor Jack Saddle | Princess Auto

That's what I'm using. Only issue: the pin on the underside has a very generous bead of weld all 'round, that runs into the hole on my jack. My cobble was to put a small square of plywood as a washer between the two, with a tight fit hole for the pin, and a larger diameter counter-bore to clear that weld.

The cradle's pin has enough reach to still solidly lock, even with the plywood. And it also increases the lift of the jack by 3/4".

 

Yeah I sometimes just put a hockey puck in the cradle, or a small square of 2x4 on the flat with the corners knocked off, plus the hockey puck.

With my daughter's pilot, the front jacking point is the edge of a plate tow hook: nothing but the steel cradle works there, lol.

 

The 3rd gen jacking point is on the front most lower cross beam, just aft of the radiators (engine/inverter coolant and AC).

Has that beam been eliminated in 4th Gen? Or it's weaker, not suitable as a jacking point?

Just food for thought, and not something you wouldn't want to test without exercising great caution.

 

Maybe we could find a crossmember farther forward, and put reinforcement under that so it touches the plastic cover. For example on my 4runner the front lifting point is on the thin sheet metal skid plate, but there is a 3 inch tall structural column built into the lift point on the skid plate that transfers the load to a crossmember.

 

That's what I'm thinking. I'd guess the more-to-the-front beam would be touching the plastic underpanel; you could just put an "X" on the plastic underpanel, where to put the jack.

The 64 dollar question though: even if the beam is there, why is Toyota not using it? There's a chance it's not strong enough, or you'd fracture the front end of the car. Also, on 3rd gen, there's some reinforcing on the bottom flange of the front beam, at the jacking point.

Again, just food for thought, not something to try without some forethought.

If the front beam is there (and I'd think it is, for front engine mount??), and I was going to experiement, I'd for starters use a flat rubber "cradle", and do a tentative lift, just an inch or two, and see what's happening, any creaks or groans.

 

Maybe they are not using it just to avoid damaging the plastic panel? For example my jack has four "teeth" that would definitely dig into the plastic if I didn't use something to protect it.

 

I'd think the other way 'round: they haven't put an opening in the panel at the front beam, because they've deemed that beam it too weak to use, or lifting at that point is just too much strain on the front end. But who knows: maybe their latest crew engineers are just out-of-touch with the realities of floor jack reach???

 

Well, Jerry, it can get worse in colder climates. Be happy with what you achieved with your 4.6.

Just a week ago, with temps in the upper 20's (F) and with very moist and snowy conditions, I was able to get to work with a whopping 1.2 on the MID. That's bad. But sometimes that is as good as it gets in winter. Most of that low score was with the car ON in EV-only and the heater on heat pump defrost/foot mode while I was chopping ice off the windows. Then the big 1+ mile route to work. Lots of time dealing with the ice and fogging, and not much time actually driving. It didn't get any better on the way home 8 hours later.

 

Here's a pic with the cover removed. There is a forward cross-beam, still: is it strong enough. I think it has an engine mount (actually to transaxle?). Similar beam on 3rd gen was the jacking point, fwiw.


You can also see the proscribed jacking point, looks like about a yard between them.

Screen grab from video linked here, at 5:23:

DIY Undercoating | PriusChat

 

They mighta reduced the ga on that beam, and there isn't the extra layer bumped out, like third gen. blinking design fail, harrumph.

 

The 64 dollar question: if you run the front end up on a bit of makeshift ramp (say 3", 2 times 1.5), and then roll a floor ramp to the front jacking point, would that be doable, would you have enough clearance on the jack handle to get it started?

An extended reach jack, maybe??

You'd have a hope with something like this:

Hydraulic Jacks · DK13HLQ · AC Hydraulic A/S