I am looking to set myself up for some brake work and shick installation...and can see i need to get a jack and jack stands

- Would 2 ton jack work as i am only lifting one end of the truck at a time? Should I be safe and just get a 3 or 3.5 ton?
- I would buy the jack stands to compliment the jack size
- Any special gotchas on using a jack stand? Can I assume that I need to put the jack stands under the fram of the expy when use them (and I make the assumption to always use the jack stands and not rely on the jack itself)

your feedback appreciated.

 

i would go 6 ton.....mainly for the height. but that's just me. 3 ton won't hold my jeep very far off the ground....had to go 6 ton

 

Two ton stands are plenty as far as weight to support your Expy. But IntrepidXJ has a good point regarding height. Make sure you can get enough height to have decent working room under the vehicle. This means you may need those six ton jacktands as Intrepid suggests. Your assumption to not rely on the jack itself to support the vehicle in the air is right on! That is one of the basic safety rules.

Also, if your Expy has LLS (air suspension) make sure it is turned off before you lift the vehicle.

PbFoot

 

I think i misread his post thinking he said 6 ton kack and jack stands...i think you are saying that a 2 or 3 ton jack should be fine, but get the 6 ton jack stands for the height once I get it up.

Any suggestions on a good Height?

Sears has a 6-ton stands with a a lift range of 15-3/8 in. to 24-5/16 in. So i need to find a jack that can raise up to 19-23"??

 

I have 2 2-ton jack stands and 2 3-ton jack stands. Both work just fine for raising all four tires off the ground. I have a 2-ton and a 3-ton floor jack as well as a 6-ton bottle jack.

 

I have a 3.5 ton floor jack, and 6 ton jack stands.

 

happened into checker tonight and came across the following for $49:

- Prolift 2.5 Ton Jack
- one stroke to chassis
- 21" lifting height
- 2 jack stands included

If i can't find one better at around $50 i think i will get this...i am firstly looking to use it to put on new brake pads and then replace the shocks with Rancho 9000 (or possibily Bilsteins)

Just as a not to anyone following this thread Checker has a deal on Mobil1 synthetic...buy a case and pay $3.99/qt.....and they do have the 0W-20 that works well for Ford 5W-20 requirements...and there is a coupon for a free can of degreaser or brakecleaner with the purchase of a case of oil

almost picked up a fuel filter, but they only had Fram.

 

dalfollo a word of advice, don't bother with a floor jack unless it has the long (~5-foot) handle...trust me on this one.

All "cheap" jacks are made in China these days and are generally pretty poor quality, so be careful. Always buy what you'd think is an overrated product just to be safe. I personally have a 3.5-ton jack with 3-ton stands. I'm thinking about some of those 6-ton stands because my Expy sits so much higher with larger tires....~20" of jack range is barely enough for me.

 

Sorry to say even CRAFTSMAN floorjacks are now made in China too!
My advise would be to buy a really expensive one or buy a cheap one and toss it in a few years. Just ALWAYS use jack stands.

 

The 2-ton jack I have is one of those cheap ones from KMart. It works but I don't trust it. I have always used jack stands with it.

The 3-ton one is one of the large 5' handle ones. I got it at an auction and refilled the fluid in it.

 

Lincolns stuff is still pretty good but yeah Almost ALL jacks are now made in China.

I have the Lincoln "blue" 6 ton jack stands and there great and lift to 24".

Harbor Freight sells the Lincoln brand in most of their stores(not online) and I used to see there bottle neck jacks at Walmart as well.

 

I ended up getting a 3 ton 'SUV' jack, 3-ton jack stands, chocks, and knee pad for $99 from PepBoys; it is a Torin unit and the best quality that I have seen, really heavy duty construction, and it weighs a ton...OK maybe 100 lbs. it has a 22" rise:




Thanks for the info.

 

for jack stands, go to sams club. for $22. you get the best i have ever seen, chrome, wide stance, extra plate under feet so that it will not tip or dig into asphalt, really strong and secure, good high lift, when your life is on the line, only the best is good enough!!!