Jackstand use

[JThacker]

I got a new floorjack and jackstands for christmas and I got to examining the service manual and the reccommended locations for jacking on the frame. It appears that there is only one area reccommended for jacking with a floorjack on each corner, but you need two areas on each corner to jack it up and then place the stands. what do you all use. Thanks, Jay

 

[NIsaacs]

Usually the only time you would want to jack up the frame would be to change out an axle or springs. Most times just jack and block the axle. If you need the frame blocked, you can jack the axle and then block the frame.





"NICK

 

[jwilliams3]

I jack up the frame all the time with no ill effects.

 

[UP N MTNS]

I've always jacked trucks up from the diff's front and rear,then put stands under axle housing's,done it that way for 25+ years.





Adam

 

[rbattelle]

As others have noted, I put the stands under the axles, as far out on the tubes as possible. I have yet to need the stands on the frame.



You will get various advice about not jacking by the pumpkin. Generally, I think this is good advice. I've jacked the rear axle by the pumpkin many times with (apparently) no ill-effects. However, up front more caution is required since the front end is so incredibly heavy (~4700 lb).



For the driver side jack stand in the front, I figure the only way is by the pumpkin.



For the passenger side jack stand in the front, jack by the axle tube as close as possible to where the stand will be placed.



Ryan

 

[T-Bone]

I jack on the frame until one side of the axle is high enough to stick a jack stand under it. Takes a bit longer, but no clearance problems between the jack and the jackstand that way. I cheat on the backend and use the pumpkin. Always wondered about using the pumpkin on the front end. Just seems risky with all that weight. However, I have no personal knowledge of it being a problem.



I got this jack from Harbor Freight on sale for $99. By no means the most heavy duty around. But rated at 2. 5 tons it's enough to lift one corner of the truck at a time. I've had it for 5 years with no problems.



T-Bone

 

[nickleinonen]

i rarely use jackstands [yeah, i know] as i have 3x 3 ton service jacks. . when i rotate tires, up front i jack up from the lower link points on the front axle. . rear from either the axle tube or from the center pumpkin. . i have only once recently used jackstands, and that was when i pulled the spring spacers out [jackstands on the frame by spring mount]