If you’re working on a car or truck, you need a jack to lift it up so you can work underneath. But what if you don’t have a jack? Can cinder blocks be used as jack stands?
The answer is yes, but there are some things to consider before using them. First, make sure the blocks are big enough and strong enough to support the weight of your vehicle. Second, use more than one block per side to ensure stability.
Third, place the blocks on a level surface so they don’t topple over.
If you follow these guidelines, cinder blocks can be an effective and inexpensive way to support your vehicle while you work on it.
- Find a level spot to park your vehicle on firm ground, and set the emergency brake
- Place cinder blocks at all four corners of the vehicle, directly under the frame
- Jack up one side of the vehicle using a floor jack, and place a jack stand underneath the frame at that corner
- Repeat on the other side
- Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until they are supporting the weight of the car
- Remove the floor jacks from beneath the vehicle
Can I Use Cinder Blocks As Jack Stands
When it comes to working on your car, you want to be as safe as possible. That’s why using jack stands is so important. But what if you don’t have any jack stands and all you have are cinder blocks?
Can you use them instead? The short answer is yes, but there are some things you need to keep in mind. First, cinder blocks are not as stable as jack stands.
That means they’re more likely to tip over if your car is heavy or if you’re jacking up the car from an uneven surface. Second, cinder blocks are not adjustable like jack stands are. So if you need to raise or lower your car for any reason, you’ll need to move the cinder blocks around too.
Overall, it’s best to use actual jack stands whenever possible. But if all you have are cinder blocks, they can work in a pinch – just be extra careful!
How Many Cinder Blocks Do I Need to Support My Car
Assuming you want to know how many cinder blocks it would take to support your carport A standard cinder block is 8x8x16 inches, and weighs approximately 35-40 pounds. To support a 2000 pound vehicle, you would need at least 54 cinder blocks placed under the carport’s foundation.
To be extra safe, we recommend using 60 cinder blocks.
What are Some Other Ways to Use Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks are a versatile construction material that can be used for a variety of projects. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Build a garden bed: Cinder blocks make great raised garden beds because they provide good drainage and aeration.
Plus, they’re easy to put together – just stack them up and fill with soil!
2. Make a planter: A cinder block planter is a great way to add some greenery to your outdoor space. Just drill some holes in the blocks for drainage, fill with potting mix and plant away!
3. Create artwork: Get creative with cinder blocks and use them as canvases for paintings or mosaics. This is a great project for kids too!
4. Build furniture: Cinder blocks can be used to make all sorts of furniture, from coffee tables to benches to shelves.
Get creative and see what you can come up with!
jacking a car up REALLY HIGH so you have room to work under it
Conclusion
If you need to prop up your car for any reason, you may be wondering if cinder blocks can be used as jack stands. The answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the cinder block is firmly on the ground and not on any sort of uneven surface.
Second, use more than one cinder block to support the car – two or three should do the trick. And finally, don’t rely solely on the cinder blocks – also use chocks or other supports to stabilize the car. With these precautions in mind, using cinder blocks as jack stands is perfectly safe.
