2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Jacking [lift] and support points

[Gordon Maney]

Recently I replaced the ball joints and front axle u-joints on my 2001 2500 truck. I used my old 4-ton Blackhawk floor jack, along with some jack stands I have had for years.



The front axle is problematic in that, though the right side is longer, you have the CAD feature, and the left side is short. So, it can be difficult to get the jack into a suitable lift point and then leave room to maneuver and position a stand. I also found myself wanting more lift height.



Those of you who consider yourselves to be well equipped in your shop; what are you using for floor jacks and stands, and what are you using for lift and support points?

 

[PRyker]

I am also very interested in this. I have a 4 ton floor jack with a round dish shaped pad for lifting. It has notches in the side and it has proven difficult to use it on my truck. I know better than to lift the truck by the pumpkin.



Thoughts on best place / method for jacking?



Phil

 

[CumminsPower98]

I don't consider myself real well equipped but I have a few things. What I do with mine is place a short piece of 4"x4" wood on the jack then come up as close to the differential as I can on the axle tube. I can get the height I want this way with the smaller jack. It lifts a little lop-sided so I just adjust the stands to leave and let it down. I have used the same wood many times so it fits the jack and axle well. This is nothing fancy but it works for me.

 

[T-Bone]

Maybe I’m out in left field on this one (someone please tell me if I am), but I use my floor jack on the frame rail behind the front wheel. I raise the truck up enough to get a jack stand under the axel and then let it down and go to the other side.



T-Bone

 

[Gordon Maney]

Maybe I’m out in left field on this one (someone please tell me if I am), but I use my floor jack on the frame rail behind the front wheel. I raise the truck up enough to get a jack stand under the axel and then let it down and go to the other side.



T-Bone

There is nothing wrong with that. It does use up a lot of the jack's range with suspension travel, however. I considered that, too, except my jack was not working well and lacked the ability to fully rise.



I also wish for a jack with more travel, but I am not confident that a 10-ton floor jack would go any higher. Does anyone here have a 10-ton floor jack to comment on that?

 

[T-Bone]

The floor jack from Harbor Freight is only rated at 2. 5 tons (5000 lbs), but I figured that it could lift one corner of the truck at a time with out too much problem. On the other end of things, I went with 12 ton jack stands (overkill?). The long body is nice as it allows setting up and jacking without having to crawl under the truck. The other bonus with this jack is that it has a lift range of 5-3/4 inches to 31-5/8 inches. This is low enough to get under most things and still get way up there. The 3 ton Craftsman floor jack only goes up to 19-13/16 inches. I wasn’t sure this would lift my Dodge high enough to set stands if I wanted to set the stands on the frame and let the axel droop. I settled for a lighter jack to avoid having to add blocks to attain a higher lift. The 2. 5 ton Harbor Freight floor jack goes on sale from time to time for $99.



T-Bone