i have an old bumper jack but no hook, it would work on a square body and not my 72 cutlass, is the hook an insert or part of the mechanism? i like to be able to use jack if possible

 

The mast and base are generic to all the GM line of cars. The hook is specific to the year, make, and sometimes the model of the car. Finding the jack is the easy part, finding the correct hook is the difficult part. Starting in 1964 GM was stamping the year and make on the hooks, but I don't know if they continued it into the 1970's.

 

so if I find the hook, it should fit then. Does it bolt on or snap in? how do you mount to the jack is my Q!

 

I assume you have a 72 cutlass. Search for a J hook for a 72 cutlass on Google. Have it shipped to your house. It will snap into the jack. When you get it, see it, it will be self explanatory as to how it fits in the jack. You just snap it in. It's easy. Here's one on Ebay. It is the whole shebang though.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=bump...ck&_kw=cutlass

 

It would help a lot if you posted a picture of the jack assembly you're not sure about. "old" is relative. Some bumper jacks had the cradle that was inserted into the jack lift. Other jacks had the hook built into the lift itself (like from 1973 and on) That's why the bumpers had that little slot cut into the bottom as a jack lift insert point.

With due respect to Mark Cornea, I borrowed this image from his website Dr. Decal to show the point I'm trying to make

 

Get a cheap bottle jack. The bumper jacks can ruin a bumper or a body panel.

Any hook from 70 - 72 will work for you. They are stamped with a date

 

here is a picture.... what do you guys think?

 

The j hook I described will work.

 

I don't think it will - not on a 72 Cutlass. Here's why: The lift doesn't appear to have a grooved reciever for the hook to fit into
compare:



to the OEM jack that my car has and you can see the difference. Don't forget that while some model years and model groups have identical jack lifts, they don't necessarily have the same hooks.

Here's the lift where the hook fits in. Notice the recessed slot (outlined in red) for the hook. I don't see that on the picture that was originally posted; that's why I'm suggesting that it's not the proper lift assembly.



This is the hook for 71/72 (it probably works on 70 also, but not sure)

IMG_1117.jpg?t=1312502459

 

thanks for pointing that out,that was my question - wasnt sure how the hook would fit on there... I guess im stuck with this old jack unless someone wants it...