Unijacks
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Joined: Dec 2011
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For anyone like me, who didn't happen to have lfabios previous thread on jacking points on their front page, here is the link to the thread he was referring to:
Jack and Jack Stands for Front of 2WD
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Joined: Mar 2019
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I should probably clarify: as I mentioned in my recent thread about my front end, *if* you use the unijacks farther back, behind the crossbrace (to gain some height via lever length, essentially, plus the frame comes down about 1/2") you will be able to get my wheels off the ground by ~1" - but this is because I presently have the PO's 225/75-16 tires on.
With stock tires, even with the Unijacks in this unsanctioned position, you will not get them off the ground.
Now, it is possible, theoretically, to have someone make better 'inserts' for the unijacks and gain the ~3-3.5" that you would need to clear the ground in the Ford recommended location (right behind the radius arm bracket) with stock (809mm diametre) tires. In this case you could also have whoever welds them make the top cup to spec to fit the frame width exactly. But we shall leave that as an exercise for the reader - making those properly would cost quite a pretty penny and then you'd be, again theoretically, out of design spec for the jack. Also, I have a feeling you wouldn't be able to easily FIT them underneath - the travel of the jack system is simply too short, so you'd have to do everything JUST RIGHT (and extend the jack head on the spot, so to speak, after sliding them under) and you'd JUST have enough for stock tires.
Will I do it? Well, I discovered that if I put two real floor jacks in the 'unsanctioned' location I can then put big (12T) jackstands in the 'Ford approved' location and the truck will Not Move. So I have resorted to doing that, inspired by @Y2KW57 's post in my original thread. But this works for me because I lucked into someone who was closing their garage and sold me two ancient shop Joyce jacks. They are exceptionally unwieldy but they don't particularly notice the weight of the F250.
With stock tires, even with the Unijacks in this unsanctioned position, you will not get them off the ground.
Now, it is possible, theoretically, to have someone make better 'inserts' for the unijacks and gain the ~3-3.5" that you would need to clear the ground in the Ford recommended location (right behind the radius arm bracket) with stock (809mm diametre) tires. In this case you could also have whoever welds them make the top cup to spec to fit the frame width exactly. But we shall leave that as an exercise for the reader - making those properly would cost quite a pretty penny and then you'd be, again theoretically, out of design spec for the jack. Also, I have a feeling you wouldn't be able to easily FIT them underneath - the travel of the jack system is simply too short, so you'd have to do everything JUST RIGHT (and extend the jack head on the spot, so to speak, after sliding them under) and you'd JUST have enough for stock tires.
Will I do it? Well, I discovered that if I put two real floor jacks in the 'unsanctioned' location I can then put big (12T) jackstands in the 'Ford approved' location and the truck will Not Move. So I have resorted to doing that, inspired by @Y2KW57 's post in my original thread. But this works for me because I lucked into someone who was closing their garage and sold me two ancient shop Joyce jacks. They are exceptionally unwieldy but they don't particularly notice the weight of the F250.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,355
Likes: 5,947
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I really like the idea, utility and thought process behind the unijack, but after a bit of research and reading testimony, I just cannot put my faith into them. Not for a big *** truck like the 7.3L.
Thank you for your honest opinion and sharing your experience with us.
Thank you for your honest opinion and sharing your experience with us.
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