Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

[Brad M.]

This is a follow up on a recent post that I left for which Grant answered much of my question (thanks). I do still have one remaining portion to the question:

The 68-89 TIM &JG indicates that early 69 used the same design of jack as 68 with the smaller base. My question is basically how early is early? (i.e. how long into the 69 model year was the earlier design (smaller base) used?)

Grant had indicated that he was aware of jacks with the larger base (same design as 70-72) being dated J8, K8, and L8.

A friend of mine has a jack dated H 8 which is the small base earlier design. Would it be possible this was used in a 69 and how far into the 69 model year would it be possible for this jack to have been used? Any chance this design would have been used in a late October/early November 68 car?

[Brad M.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

No one knows what was intended by the reference in TIM&JG to early 69 using the small design jack?? Are we talking early like a couple weeks? a month ? two months?

[Joseph K.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Brad,

I have a 69 that was made in the first quarter of 69. When ordering parts I use the early version because many of the parts are from the early version. I know the car was made in the first quarter of 69 but the door panels are dated November 68. It really depends on the particular part and when the factory ran out of the 68 material. I would like to know also because I need to buy one also.

The book I have for the 69 says the base on the 68 was 6x4 and the 69 was 9x5. The book shows a picture of one that has 9 B stamped on the jack and represents that it is made in Feb 69.

Joe

Joe

[Grant W.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Hi Brad and Joseph
I was thinking for a while to your questions and only come up with a probable theory.
It would be incorrect to have a 68 small base jack dated H I J or even K or L in a 69 car. You would probably have a 69 large base jack dated L or M 8 for the 69 car.
The reason is design change larger base for 69 and warranty reasons. If there was a jack failure then the dated jack would go back to GM to figure out the problems. Thus having the 68 small base jack if dated A to L and if there was a failure then they would replace it with a 69 newer jack. (even it you had a 68 car they would give you a replacement which is a 69 large base jack)
I think it all comes down to dating of the item for warranty reasons. Otherwise how else can they figure out when it was produced and thus the reasons for upgrade design change. That is my guess.
Thanks, Grant

[Joseph K.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Hi Brad and Joseph
I was thinking for a while to your questions and only come up with a probable theory.
It would be incorrect to have a 68 small base jack dated H I J or even K or L in a 69 car. You would probably have a 69 large base jack dated L or M 8 for the 69 car.
The reason is design change larger base for 69 and warranty reasons. If there was a jack failure then the dated jack would go back to GM to figure out the problems. Thus having the 68 small base jack if dated A to L and if there was a failure then they would replace it with a 69 newer jack. (even it you had a 68 car they would give you a replacement which is a 69 large base jack)
I think it all comes down to dating of the item for warranty reasons. Otherwise how else can they figure out when it was produced and thus the reasons for upgrade design change. That is my guess.
Thanks, Grant

Grant, I guess it would be correct to have the small base for the early 69 as long as the date code is within a couple of months of the build date of the car and the large base just before the build date or a date within the warranty period of the car.
Do you agree?
Joe

[Brad M.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Grant, thanks for the additional perspective on this.

Did the jack dates not use the letter "I"? So J = Sept, K = Oct, and L = Nov?

[Terry M.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Yes, and M = December

[Brad M.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Thanks.

If anyone know of a 8J, 8K, or 8L for sale, please let me know.

[Steven C.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Good luck I have been searching for two years. Finally gave up and bought a middle yr 69 and took the minor deduct.

[Grant W.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Grant, I guess it would be correct to have the small base for the early 69 as long as the date code is within a couple of months of the build date of the car and the large base just before the build date or a date within the warranty period of the car.
Do you agree?
Joe

Hi Joe
I have never seen a 68 small base jack ever dated 1969 or for that matter if you put a 68 small based jack in a 69 you would get a full deduct even if the 68 jack is dated 8L or 8M

A 68 small base jack is for only the 68 corvette year. They redesigned the large version for 69 for a reason. I guess it was jack failure??? I don't know.

If you have an early 69 car you would need the 69 large base jack dated Dated 8 L or 8 M.

I have seen those early jacks in the past and I have sold some of them in the past. So that is why I know something about the early 69 jacks. I have in my collection over 25 jacks here and there but no more early 69 jacks. When I start to clean up my collection maybe I will find an early 69 jack somewhere in my garage and I will let you know. Hope this helps all your questions.
Thanks, Grant

[Joseph K.]

Re: Early 69 Jack usage small vs large base design

Hi Joe
I have never seen a 68 small base jack ever dated 1969 or for that matter if you put a 68 small based jack in a 69 you would get a full deduct even if the 68 jack is dated 8L or 8M

A 68 small base jack is for only the 68 corvette year. They redesigned the large version for 69 for a reason. I guess it was jack failure??? I don't know.

If you have an early 69 car you would need the 69 large base jack dated Dated 8 L or 8 M.

I have seen those early jacks in the past and I have sold some of them in the past. So that is why I know something about the early 69 jacks. I have in my collection over 25 jacks here and there but no more early 69 jacks. When I start to clean up my collection maybe I will find an early 69 jack somewhere in my garage and I will let you know. Hope this helps all your questions.
Thanks, Grant

Grant,

I appreciate your knowledge on the 69. I am not in a real hurry, I just got the car back from the paint shop and have to put it back together. The check is hurting from the paint job. It is Daytona Yellow.

Thanks