I'm attempting my first brake job, which means this will also be my first time jacking up the rear. I've seen plenty of videos and read plenty of posts of people jacking from the pumpkin or axle tube, and the more I've read, the more I've become confused by differing opinions.

However, I found a deal on a jack beam from Harbor Freight, and I'm wondering if anyone has used that. The beam is adjustable up to 3 feet, so I could place a support under each rail and lift both tires simultaneously. I'm guessing you could do the same thing with 1 (or 2 4x4s). You could bolt the 4x4s directly into the same hole that is used for the jack beam, ie the same hole that the standard-issue cup uses.

I was thinking of placing the jack beam (or 4x4s) towards the terminating point of the frame rail, basically just behind the spare tire, because I could reach that easily from the rear. Then place the jack stands under each rail close to the wheels--think I found a spot that looked good 6-12 inches from the axle, going towards the front. I like this idea because it lifts both tires simultaneously. I could do the same from the pumpkin, but I'm just afraid I would misplace the jack and somehow damage the differential. And for whatever reason (probably my inexperience showing), I just didn't like jacking from, or placing my jack stands on the axle tube; although I think I've watched more videos with stands placed there then on the frame -- or maybe I've just noticed more because the stands were in the shot when they were placed under the axles.

Anyway, does that placement for the jack and jack stands on the frame sound reasonable, or am I missing a better way? Thanks for your feedback, Tom

 

 

You'll get a lot of differing opinions on this one, as everyone has their preferred method.

I've never jacked from a differential because of the stress placed on the axle, and every manufacturer cautions against it. That being said, it's an EXTREMELY common practice, and I can't recall ever hearing of anyone bending their axle doing this. Some have damaged their differential cover and causing a leak, but that's the worst I've seen. I won't do it, but I don't think you'll hurt it if you do.

The axle tubes are the specified jack point in the owner's manual, and that's what I've always used. Jack from the tube just inside the U-bolts where the springs bolt to the axle, and place the jackstands directly underneath the axle between the U-bolts. You will never damage an axle tube with a jack, they're relatively thick metal and intended to be jacked from.

 

Problem with jacking from the tubes is there leaves no room for jack stands. If I am only changing a tire than jack from tube is fine but if you are doing something that takes longer than that use jack stands and jack from pumpkin. If you jack from the frame the axle will drop so much that you will have to double the height that you have to go up with the truck. If I work on springs and suspension stuff then lift from pumpkin and place jack stands under the frame.
Side note. You trust a jack from Harbor Freight?

 

 

I have always preferred to lift from the differential or pumpkin (no load in bed) and always keep a 1/4 inch piece of old mudflap in between the metals.


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I have three different types from HF and they actually work very well.

Bought my first HF jack many years ago after discovering there were no longer parts available for my expensive Sears/Craftsman 3.5 ton floor jack!



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