Jacking points- lift height

Soton Campers · Apr 16, 2023

Hi. Has anyone rotated the wheels, front to back on the Grand? Just wondering if a 465mm lift height, 3 tonne jack with axle stands would be sufficient for the job?

The jacking points at the front look quite high so are probably only designed for a commercial lift. I'm thinking of using the sub frame to lift the front and the rear axle where it joins the leaf spring for the rears.

Would be great to hear others experiences.

Thanks

RockinNRollin · Apr 17, 2023

Can't advise on your specific query, and apologies if you already know this, but check the shape of the jacking points; not sure about the GC, but historically at least VWs used to be infamous for having fairly soft "seams" on the sill which protruded down; if you tried to jack using a flat pad, it'd squash the seams down (solution was to use a grooved pad to slot the seam into). Just something to bear in mind if you're planning to use a trolley jack.

RockinNRollin · Apr 17, 2023

Edit: I've not had my coffee yet and notice you said you're planning to jack using the subframe etc. instead. Doh.

andyinluton · Apr 17, 2023

Soton Campers said:
Hi. Has anyone rotated the wheels, front to back on the Grand? Just wondering if a 465mm lift height, 3 tonne jack with axle stands would be sufficient for the job?

The jacking points at the front look quite high so are probably only designed for a commercial lift. I'm thinking of using the sub frame to lift the front and the rear axle where it joins the leaf spring for the rears.

Would be great to hear others experiences.

Thanks

Didn't any of your vans come with the original VW bottle jack? It's a proper industrial bit of kit designed for the job, nothing like the excuse for a jack that comes with the transporter.

Soton Campers · Apr 20, 2023

andyinluton said:
Didn't any of your vans come with the original VW bottle jack? It's a proper industrial bit of kit designed for the job, nothing like the excuse for a jack that comes with the transporter.

Unfortunately the GC only comes with the tyre inflation gunk and you don't get the bottle jack. I wish you did, I'm not a fan of this stuff. Much prefer an actual spare wheel to rely on.

andyinluton · Apr 20, 2023

Soton Campers said:
Unfortunately the GC only comes with the tyre inflation gunk and you don't get the bottle jack. I wish you did, I'm not a fan of this stuff. Much prefer an actual spare wheel to rely on.

I don't know how many vans you have, but have you checked them all? Irrespective of spare wheels being fitted it appears to be almost random as to whether you got the tool kit or not.

They are £70 for a genuine new one on Ebay which seems pretty reasonable for a decent jack.

Soton Campers · Apr 20, 2023

andyinluton said:
I don't know how many vans you have, but have you checked them all? Irrespective of spare wheels being fitted it appears to be almost random as to whether you got the tool kit or not.

They are £70 for a genuine new one on Ebay which seems pretty reasonable for a decent jack.

I must be unlucky then, none of the GCs we've had came with the bottle jack. I'll take a look on ebay. Thanks for the tip.