floor jack with a 4X4

[chris.curley]

Where is the best place to use a floor jack in the front of 4X4 ? Having a hard time locating an area on the front axle since the jack cradle is about 6 inches in diameter & there isn't a flat area that big on the axle. Little afraid of lifting the truck in the wrong place & breaking or bending the suspension. The truck frame's jack point is too high since my jack's MAX height is 20 inches. Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

 

[PJ]

I would call D/C roadside assistance. Then when they break or bend something, they pay for it.

 

[Bertram65]

Pretty sure the couple times I have jacked mine up I just put the pad against the axle tube. The pad on my jack has four raised corners and they would prevent it from slipping off. My floor jack can barely lift one side of the front of the truck, and it's a two ton jack. Roadside assistence isn't much help when you are rotating tires are swapping from winter to summer tires and wheels.

 

[PJ]

My local dealer just rotated all 4 tires, no charge. Just a suggestion

 

[XJSuperman]

Use the pumpkin if you need to lift just that side.

 

[rbattelle]

Every time I rotate my tires I use the small "pad" beneath the lower control arm on each side. Carefully position it in the center of the jack. Absolutely no problems whatsoever.

 

[chris.curley]

Originally posted by rbattelle

Every time I rotate my tires I use the small "pad" beneath the lower control arm on each side. Carefully position it in the center of the jack. Absolutely no problems whatsoever.

rbattelle thanks for the comments.

I tryed this and it seems to work just fine.

 

[MLee]

Jacking

Read the Owners manual. It should point it out for you.

I never let anyone jack on the Pumpkin. running risk of bending the axle. The manual points this out in mine.

just my penny's worth.

Marv.

 

[LaxCummins]

CA Mounting point

I second the control arm bracketry. The jack pad should cradle it nicely and it's outboard enough to jack efficiently. Avoid the pumpkin. Fear the pumpkin...



Also - BE CAREFUL. Always take the extra 5 seconds to put an additional jack stand under the tube or whatever to give you a line of support in the event that your jack slips.



I lost a friend to that - his wife found him under his F250 with his chest compressed - he didn't make it.

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: CA Mounting point

Originally posted by LaxCummins

I second the control arm bracketry. The jack pad should cradle it nicely and it's outboard enough to jack efficiently. Avoid the pumpkin. Fear the pumpkin...



Also - BE CAREFUL. Always take the extra 5 seconds to put an additional jack stand under the tube or whatever to give you a line of support in the event that your jack slips.



I lost a friend to that - his wife found him under his F250 with his chest compressed - he didn't make it.

Really sorry about your friend. Jack stands are great insurance, I nearly learned the same lesson the hard way many years ago with a bumper jack.

I will also join in the "do not use the pumpkin" column.



Dean

 

[JoshuaClark]

Sort of a silly newbie question, but, what is a pumpkin?



Thanks!

 

[CChase]

Originally posted by JoshuaClark

Sort of a silly newbie question, but, what is a pumpkin?

It's the center member of the rear axle assembly, where the two tubes meet and the differential gears are housed... it looks like a big pumpkin.

 

[XJSuperman]

Originally posted by CChase

It's the center member of the rear axle assembly, where the two tubes meet and the differential gears are housed... it looks like a big pumpkin.

Yes... but truly it is the differential (and gears) housing on any axle... front or rear.

 

[CChase]

Originally posted by XJSuperman

Yes... but truly it is the differential (and gears) housing on any axle... front or rear.

You got me there. Don't know why I said it was for the rear axle..... brainfart I guess

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by JoshuaClark

Sort of a silly newbie question, but, what is a pumpkin?



Thanks!

A pumpkin is a large orange fruit. For more information, check out this site.



[I just couldn't resist :-laf ]

 

[Dean Upson]

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf



Dean

 

[rbattelle]

Another thread reminded me of this one. I've been using the rear pumpkin for jacking for awhile now. I figure the weight of the truck back there isn't enough to worry about bending an axle tube.



Am I wrong? Do I need to stop doing this?



-Ryan

 

[Dieselnerd]

I've used the rear pumpkin for many years on various vehicles without a problem. On the front of the CTD I would be a little concerned about the weight but I doubt you would hurt anything. When rotating tires I use the jack that came with the truck for the front and a floor jack for the rear since there is plenty of room on the axle tubes in the rear.

 

[KWentling]

I use the rear pumkin too, but only if there is nothing in the bed. Front is a different matter. Probably wouldn't hurt it, but I don't take the chance. When I rotate tires, I jack the rear up and use jack stands each side, and then use the floor jack on the front moving side to side. I find it pretty hard to find room on the front axle to jack and then get a jack stand in there too.



Kim

 

[Blakers]

I would think that axle is strong enough to allow jacking under the pumpkin with no harm. At least it SHOULD be!



I have jacked mine up under the control arm ends and it seems to mushroom the little brackets up. I don't think this is good for it.



Blake