I am in need of a jack to change a tire on my Powerstroke. Being that I will be lifting just one tire/wheel at a time, how large of a jack do you think will work? And would you go bottle jack or a floor jack?

 

I carried a 6 ton bottle jack. It is more that adequate to raise the load and short enough to get beneath the axle of my 4x4.

 

I was wondering about the height issue. Especially if the tire is flat.

 

I use a 3 ton floor jack. But the bigger the better for me. But your right it has to fit under the axle when the tire is flat also.

 

I use a Harbor freight 3 ton floor Jack and it works great, but if I'm doing anything more then a tire change I throw a couple of 3 ton Jack stands under it

 

My answer was based on portability for roadside emergencies. I keep it in my truck bed tool box. For garage use, I have a 2-1/2 ton and a 4 ton floor jack, along with (4) 3-1/2 ton jack stands.

 

i use the jack under the rear seat that came with the truck if i am out on the road.
at home i use a 3 ton floor jack.

 

I carry a small floor jack in my tool box. I've had to use it more for trailer tires than I have truck tires, but I like the stability of the floor jack when I'm on uneven areas or dirt.

 

X2 I also use a 6t bottle jack.

 

I also am only talking about emergency use. I use a 3 ton jack with 6 ton jack stands in the garage. I measured from the axle tube to the top of the rim and it's only 6 1/2" so I stayed away from the bottle jack, thrones I saw were 8 1/2" collapsed. I am gonna get a small 2 ton floor jack for the toolbox I guess.

 

I still carry way too much junk left over from my SAR days so I have one 20 ton, two 12 ton, a 6 ton jack stand and the stock under the back seat. I have two 12 ton as one is for tire rotation and the other for flats (much easier). Here is the high 12 ton: http://usjack.com/products/High%20Ra...le%20Jacks.pdf (neighbor borrowed it and I better get it back) a little pricey but they are rock solid, extra wide bases and made in the USA

 

Nice jacks Dan but will they fit under an axle with a flat tire?

 

That's why I have more than one I only use the high 12 ton when I am rotating tires as I run 37" and that jack is ideal for that purpose.

 

I figure if I am only getting one tire off the ground at a time a 2 ton would do the job.

 

I tried a 2 ton on my dually and it didn't seem very good so I went to the 3 ton floor jack after that.