floor jack - how big?
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frankfort, KY
floor jack - how big?
What size floor jack do I need for a F250 Super Duty? Will 2.5 ton do it? I think I read somewhere that the front end of F250 is 5000 lbs. What size floor jack do you use?
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From: Corvallis, OR
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Joined: Apr 2007
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My 1.5 ton speed jack will not lift my diesel off the ground. Even if a 2.5 ton gets it off the ground there won't be enough safety margin for my comfort. I'd be conservative and go with a greater lift rating.
I rarely use a floor jack anyway. I use ramps whenever possible. Easy, good height, and safe. You don't want to work under a truck that is sitting on a jack. Always block it up on the frame, and block the wheels so it doesn't roll.
I rarely use a floor jack anyway. I use ramps whenever possible. Easy, good height, and safe. You don't want to work under a truck that is sitting on a jack. Always block it up on the frame, and block the wheels so it doesn't roll.
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From: Middleburg, FL
On another note, when/if you use jack stands make sure they have a wide, four point base. Had a local guy recently get crushed by his car when replacing a drive axle. Apparently he was using jack stands with a small circular base and during the course of tugging/pulling and the drive axle the jack stands shifted and the car dropped to the ground.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
3.5 ton works well. I only do a corner at at time and then put in the jack stands. I could probably lift the whole front end off the ground at once, but that's not necessary, and not likely safe.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 593
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From: Frankfort, KY
My 1.5 ton speed jack will not lift my diesel off the ground. Even if a 2.5 ton gets it off the ground there won't be enough safety margin for my comfort. I'd be conservative and go with a greater lift rating.
I rarely use a floor jack anyway. I use ramps whenever possible. Easy, good height, and safe. You don't want to work under a truck that is sitting on a jack. Always block it up on the frame, and block the wheels so it doesn't roll.
I rarely use a floor jack anyway. I use ramps whenever possible. Easy, good height, and safe. You don't want to work under a truck that is sitting on a jack. Always block it up on the frame, and block the wheels so it doesn't roll.
I have 6 ton jack stands.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Not neccesarily how big but how good. Buy a quality jack and not necc a cheap one. I've found that a better made floor jack at a lower rating will work better and hold better and last longer than a cheap one with a higher rating. It might get the load it states off the ground once, but not always easy or for long.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Fort Fun
I use a 3T craftsman all the time to lift my whole front end up. I put the jack stands under the axle near the shock mounts. Then I go to the rear and lift the pumpkin and jack stand by the shock mounts on the rear. Never had a problem yet. I do use HD 4 point jack stands rated to like 3-4T. Plus my shop floor is level, not like a sloped driveway.
big
big
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From: Stephensville WI
Not neccesarily how big but how good. Buy a quality jack and not necc a cheap one. I've found that a better made floor jack at a lower rating will work better and hold better and last longer than a cheap one with a higher rating. It might get the load it states off the ground once, but not always easy or for long.
Get a quality jack, the best you can afford. Look for the widest base you can get, the most lift length and the sturdiest frame. Floor jacks are great, but also look at heavy bottle jacks. They can be used in almost every situation, are usually less expensive than a good quality floor jack and are easier to store when you are not using them.
Try to stay away from the NASCAR style jacks you see at most stores. While they look nice, it's mostly marketing.