Floor Jack
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I got a cheap 5-ton I think at a northern tool type place that has the 4" extender tube on the riser. It works good but I still need to put almost all my weight on it for the final couple inches of lift. I think you could use a 3-ton without issue too, height is the main thing.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
I use a 3 ton craftsman from sears. I have had it for years and it will still handle my heavy 2011. If I were buying today I would probably buy a higher rated one . As said above the amount of lift is important.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: BC, Canada
I was thinking 4 ton, what lift height do you guys recommend?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
My craftsman lift height is a little over 15 inches so you need at least that much lift. It lifts from the spring perch fine with that amount of lift. If you can find a jack with more lift that would be an even better choice. The lift depends on the physical size and the hydraulics of the jack. Good luck with your purchase.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
I have a 3 ton craftsman floor jack from sears... first one leaked out all the fluid overnight, brought it back, new one no questions asked, been good for 2 years also have a set of 3 ton jackstands. The smallest stuff i have for working on my truck, i only use it for tire rotations or brakes. If im crawling under my truck, i use at least 5 ton stands and sometimes 6x6s stacked up too
also have a set of 3 ton jackstands. The smallest stuff i have for working on my truck, i only use it for tire rotations or brakes. If im crawling under my truck, i use at least 5 ton stands and sometimes 6x6s stacked up too
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 64
With my DRW I found the floor jack to be a bit of a pain.
I use a 20 ton air operated bottle jack now. Works really good for tires and such. When I was doing the suspension work I centered it under the trailer hitch and just kept blocking it up until I had the height I needed.
I always use jack stands if anything more then a tire change.
If I only need a little extra height and not have the tires off the ground, I made up ramps out of 2x12's Perfect for doing oil and fuel filter changes.
I would not trust the average store bought steel ramps with the big pickups.
I use a 20 ton air operated bottle jack now. Works really good for tires and such. When I was doing the suspension work I centered it under the trailer hitch and just kept blocking it up until I had the height I needed.
I always use jack stands if anything more then a tire change.
If I only need a little extra height and not have the tires off the ground, I made up ramps out of 2x12's Perfect for doing oil and fuel filter changes.
I would not trust the average store bought steel ramps with the big pickups.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I just weighed my truck today. 9400lbs. I carry 76 gallons of fuel, fifth wheel hitch, some tools, and myself. I know a 4-5 ton jack is overkill since technically you'll never lift more than half the truck but these things are heavy. I like reading all this safety stuff and cautions of cheap jack stands and such.....
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,375
Likes: 8,088
From: North Central Washington
My Jack is a 2 Ton Lincoln. Haven't tried it with this truck but worked great on my 97' F350. I have lots of jack stands and always use them even when changing tires.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
My 3 ton craftsman floor jack works hard to raise one side of the front on my 2011. I think you will find your 2 ton jack marginal at best. As I stated earlier I would buy a heavier rated jack now. I also always use jack stands . My truck empty without fuel if I remember right weighs 7,460 and I weighed it full of fuel with tools and only me at 8,300 . Your truck must weigh more than mine.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
I had a 3.5 Ton "Michelin" jack. Im sure made in China. Bought it at Sams club 12 years ago for $60. Just recently it started to leak down on me. Called around to have it rebuilt and no one would touch a jack unless it was made in the USA.
So I searched for jacks made in the USA and there are not many. Hein-Werner seems to be one of the last to be made here and you're going to pay big bucks for it.
Then I saw a coupon in a magazine for a 4 Ton at Harbor Freight for $69. Again I'm sure, made in China, but for $69 I gave it a try. Ive eaten more than that at a nice restaurant.
It actually works nice. has dual roller piston mechanism. I think 21" of lift and takes the 5900 lb Expedition EL up without much difficulty.
So I searched for jacks made in the USA and there are not many. Hein-Werner seems to be one of the last to be made here and you're going to pay big bucks for it.
Then I saw a coupon in a magazine for a 4 Ton at Harbor Freight for $69. Again I'm sure, made in China, but for $69 I gave it a try. Ive eaten more than that at a nice restaurant.
It actually works nice. has dual roller piston mechanism. I think 21" of lift and takes the 5900 lb Expedition EL up without much difficulty.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 64
If you think about it, a 20 ton jack is overkill. But, if you are laying on the ground trying to lift the truck it is way easier to use the bigger jack.
Plus I'm guessing a $100, 20 ton jack really couldn't lift 40,000 pounds!
Plus I'm guessing a $100, 20 ton jack really couldn't lift 40,000 pounds!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
From: Sterling Heights, MI
The problem I ran into was finding one that goes up high enough to lift the whole side of the truck. I use a 6x6 on the jack to the middle of the frame rail and able to get both front and back wheels barley off the ground. I got a Craftman 3 ton along with 4 ton stands, like Matt always stands, never can be to safe.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,375
Likes: 8,088
From: North Central Washington
Tim,
My 3 ton craftsman floor jack works hard to raise one side of the front on my 2011. I think you will find your 2 ton jack marginal at best. As I stated earlier I would buy a heavier rated jack now. I also always use jack stands . My truck empty without fuel if I remember right weighs 7,460 and I weighed it full of fuel with tools and only me at 8,300 . Your truck must weigh more than mine.
My 3 ton craftsman floor jack works hard to raise one side of the front on my 2011. I think you will find your 2 ton jack marginal at best. As I stated earlier I would buy a heavier rated jack now. I also always use jack stands . My truck empty without fuel if I remember right weighs 7,460 and I weighed it full of fuel with tools and only me at 8,300 . Your truck must weigh more than mine.
Your right though I should buy a bigger one.