Jacking up your truck, tips?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
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Jacking up your truck, tips?
Jacking up, as in lifting it to work on, not jacking it up with a baseball bat or tree. 
I've lifted and worked on a lot of cars, but not a truck. Any tips, advice, pointers? I don't even know if my jack stands will go high enough.
Thanks!
I've lifted and worked on a lot of cars, but not a truck. Any tips, advice, pointers? I don't even know if my jack stands will go high enough.
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 377
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From: Canyon, TX
I'd like to use (and recommend) a bottle jack for the front radius arm if it's a two-wheel drive, but it just doesn't work for my 79 F350. At least not the kind that weren't OEM and have the two upward bent pieces when it contacts the vehicle. I've been reduced to a large floor jack that kind of stinks to carry around, but best I can do.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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I've got a 20" lift Craftsman jack and it does what I need on my rigs up thru the rigs with 37" tires. Since the front is offset, I jack it up on the pumpkin, put one stand out by the spring plate, then go under the spring plate on the other side and put a jack stand underneath once I get to the appropriate height. For the rear, get your jack under the pumpkin and go to town, when you get to height throw the jack stands underneath.
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Senior User
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Mine is only a 2WD, so I guess I would have to find a way to jack up the front differently than just described. Sounds like you have 4WD.
My jack may only be a 14.5" lift. It's a basic Craftsman that I may need to upgrade.
My jack may only be a 14.5" lift. It's a basic Craftsman that I may need to upgrade.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
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From: Northeast LA
Mine is a 2wd I put my floor jack under the bolt that runs through the I-beam and Radius arm directly under the spring. I jack it up from there and then put the jack stands under the frame,then remove the jack.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
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i like to lift my truck by the oilpan, even though most dont reccomend it...
lol jk
sorry i have a completely different front axle i just like telling jokes
lol jk
sorry i have a completely different front axle i just like telling jokes
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Mississippi
Whatever you do, dont get under it while its on the jack. Block it up somehow, preferably with jackstands and chock the wheels. Hydraulics can fail. There was a fatality recently where I work, a 60 something year old mechanic, 19 years with the company, crushed by a truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 167
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From: Gold Coast Australia
Whenever Im changing a tyre on any car or truck I always place the spare wheel under the car so that if the jack fails the car will fall onto the unused wheel and hopefully not fully crush me to death.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
Some tips:
1. If your jack stands do not go high enough, buy taller jack stands. Never stack anything.
2. As bamaf150 said, never place any part of your body underneath a vehicle that is supported by hydraulics alone.
3. Work on a level surface.
4. Only lift one end at a time. Chock the wheels on the other end.
5. Take 5 extra minutes to think about what you're doing.
Do not take shortcuts when lifting a vehicle. There is absolutely no reason to argue on this one.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Near Providence, RI
Sorry to resurrect an older thread but I couldn't resist responding to that. That's actually the way I do it too if I only have a jack and no stands for whatever reason.
If anyone cares to respond I had a couple questions about jacking, is it safe to lift by the pumpkin? I know to avoid the edge so the cover doesn't get damaged, but will the pumpkin handle the stress? Also anyone know of a source for small jack stands? I actually need them for my subcompact car, my "regular" stands are just too tall in their shortest position.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Mississippi
Yes, it will only partially crush you to death so you can enjoy the experience longer! lol
Sorry to resurrect an older thread but I couldn't resist responding to that. That's actually the way I do it too if I only have a jack and no stands for whatever reason.
If anyone cares to respond I had a couple questions about jacking, is it safe to lift by the pumpkin? I know to avoid the edge so the cover doesn't get damaged, but will the pumpkin handle the stress? Also anyone know of a source for small jack stands? I actually need them for my subcompact car, my "regular" stands are just too tall in their shortest position.
Sorry to resurrect an older thread but I couldn't resist responding to that. That's actually the way I do it too if I only have a jack and no stands for whatever reason.
If anyone cares to respond I had a couple questions about jacking, is it safe to lift by the pumpkin? I know to avoid the edge so the cover doesn't get damaged, but will the pumpkin handle the stress? Also anyone know of a source for small jack stands? I actually need them for my subcompact car, my "regular" stands are just too tall in their shortest position.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Seattle
For road-side use I have a farm jack that I haul around in my lock-box.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
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From: Near Providence, RI
I meant just for lifting it (then putting stands under it). I was just worried that it might bend the case in or something.