I was just thinking of people working on trucks and the first thing you should think of is safety. Pretty much with any project you take on. This can be overlooked or just ignored.

Some common safety tips I thought of:

Disconnect the batteries while working on anything electrical. Also a possible cause of other electrical failures.

Block the wheels when truck is jacked up or disconnecting the drive line.

Wearing gloves while working on bolts that don't come off easy.

Use caution with any of the the high voltage lines from the idm. Don't pierce for testing.

Ear/respiratory/eye protection when appropriate.

Don't test drive your truck after a few beers....lol

Any other safety tips?

 

Don't crawl under your truck when it's on a Floor Jack, Use Jack Stands...

BTW excellent Post!!

 

Good post! Tried to rep ya, but the rep police have me locked up.

 

Rodney I got him for ya.

 

Prop the hood up if its windy and especially if its windy and cold. Those air shocks don't stay up too well when cold especially after 10 years. Your head will appreciate this.

Make sure somebody is nearby if you're working under a raised vehicle so they can help if needed.

Use the right tools for the job. That 3 foot pipe on a 1/4" ratchet is just asking for trouble....

 

Good advice, you should never trust a jack and have a back-up. A good foundation is a good idea. If you don't have a good feeling about safety put down the wrench.

 

Good reminder Grant, F250_ Pete comes to mind right now with his mishap not chocking his truck and almost a severe bad thing happening. He's still mending from a leg-ankle injury but getting better the last we heard.

 

I recall Pete's ordeal and hope he is recovering good from that fiasco. I was kind of hoping this thread could lead to a sticky on safety but might be a liability to the owners. IDk but be safe...

 

I'd say the #1 safety item is jack stands. You can't emphasize that enough.

There's rarely recovery from a several ton vehicle falling on you.

 

I fourth the jackstands. And make sure you have big enough ones. I don't claim to be dumb but I sure felt like it the other day. Jacked up front right tire on the powerstroke to rotate tires. Put 3 Ton jackstand under axle and removed the tire. I still remember in shop class the teacher always saying give it a shake before you get under it. So I shaked a little and all I hear was "ting" as my front end goes to the ground. The scary part was I was on the way to climb underneath there. Nothing like a rotor and a 1,000 powerstroke in your chest. So I went down to the parts store and picked up a set of 6 ton jack stands also make sure they are not the china crap. Well worth the investment. Also told the wife to check on me every once and a while.

 

Well that turned out. I ALWAYS shake any vehicle after lifted... and I mean I crank on it. Funny though, while doing it I'm thinking how pissed I'll be if it falls, then remember better now than when I'm under it.

My contribution is not to under estimate the weight of crap your removing from under the truck. Turned wrenchs for a while, and have never had a problem just dropping the X-fer case on my chest, and rolling out with it. FAIL. Fortunately my neighbor was over to help get it off me without damage to either of us. Good post Grant, reminds us old timers, and the new guys who've graduated from grocery getters.