Hey guys,

I am heading out to get some new heavy duty stands for the Ex and wanted to know if there are better stands than others for the truck? What are you all using? Since I've joined this forum, I've started to get the mod bug and its time I upgrade some tools for this rig before I really dig in. I am putting the Ranchos on this weekend and am thinking about the slotted rotors and heavy duty pads so will need the stands soon. Also, any advice on a good jack? The last car I worked on was my 62 vw bug so my jack is a bit under sized...

I'm driving a 2002 V10 4x4 with 275/70/18's that I bought new - all original other than the wheel/tire upgrade and speakers.

 

I have a 3.5 ton jack and jack stands. They work fine for me. I wouldn't get anything lower than a 3 ton. Something smaller might handle the weight, but I want as much strength in the stand as possible. Just think, if you have the whole truck on four jack stands, thats about 2000lbs each (it would be more on the front and less on the back, but this isn't math class so I'm not going to figure out exactly how much weight is on each )

 

Thanks for the advice on weight handling, I like to feel more than safe when I climb under a vehicle on stands... Are there good resources on the site for tools? I am an old school craftsman tool fan, but its been awhile since I have bought a set of stands or jack.

 

Mine are craftsman and have worked flawlessly for the year or so that I had it. I think any brand would work just as well as others with the same capacity. The only reason I went with craftsman, is because there was a sale. I got two stands and a jack for $100. Can't beat that.

 

well then, i will go check out my local sears. I would rather support sears and get something good quality. I have had good luck with all of their tools in the past. Thanks for the input Nick!

 

Anytime bud

 

Also bought the 3 piece Craftsman jack and stand set for less than $100.00. I have used it to jack up the Ex many times. A good piece of equipement for a good price.

 

That's a great price, hopefully they are still offering something similar. I'll check it out this weekend.

 

Some companys overate the stand capacity and some include both stands in the rating. Get a couple heavy duty ones together and compare visualy and make sure they are heavy duty! It's your life under that truck. When I was a mechanic a jack slipped while my buddy was under his car and luckily there was enough space for him and he was just "scared to death" so be safe.

 

Good advice. I've been checking the web and the prices are all over the place (obviously due to the fact you just pointed out). I think I am going with the 4 ton stands at sears, as long as they are 4 ton each! I am going to physically check them out tomorrow. The jack on the other hand, I am still looking around. I have a 1.5 ton jack, which is 20 years old, so will need to be replaced. Is the typical 16-18" max height enough for this rig? Seems like very little lift for the 4x4?

 

The only ones that I use anymore are ones that are way overrated for the load. Just call me chicken when it comes to them. I use 8 ton stands for the Ex.

I know I don't need to say it, but don't ever get those tubular sheet metal pin jacks and for God's sake don't ever use them for anything bigger than a ATV or riding lawnmower.

When I was in my mid 20's, I had a 74 Chevy Impala on four of the (add expletive) pin jacks.
I was alone under the car (tires off) on a creeper trying to remove the trans, and was working on the bell housing bolts. One of the jacks failed, crumpling like a aluminum can. Two others followed suit right behind it. I found myself pinned uner extreme pressure between the creeper and the trans oil pan. Over the next 3 or 4 minutes I slowly felt my ribs breaking and it becoming impossible to breath. Lucky for me that my mother came out to ask me if I wanted some lunch right at that moment. She ran back to the house, called the fire dept (No 911 back then around here.) The guys arrived just in time. About 10 of them lifted one side of the car up while one Fireman pulled me out. Of course, I was out cold by then.

11 broken ribs and a punctured lung. And I consider myself lucky that that is all I got.

It is worth the money to buy good ones!!

 

Don't but any online! You need to SEE them.

 

Wow, that makes me shudder just to think about it! When I was wrenching I would have dreams like that which would wake me up because it was always in the back of my mind.

 

If I am doing work underneath (drivetrain) as opposed to outside work (brakes and tires), I double up on jack stands. It isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side.

 

ya never rely on one source!! i alway have jackstands, and the JACK UP! and sometimes JACKSTANDS and a railroad tie or the vehicles tires if they are off under the frame rails.. even once in a while i will hook the cherry picker to it with jack stands too.. 2 ways to save your life, never just one..

remember that.

that rib breaking story reading that i could almost feel the fear. good writer.

ray