where to jack up truck from when swapping a rear end?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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where to jack up truck from when swapping a rear end?
i blew my rear end last week. i have a replacment out of a 2003 f250. i was planning on starting this in my driveway. can i do this with a few sets of jack stands?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
Sure but you will need some help handling the rear end, it's not lite by any means. I would set the stands up forward of the rear end and start unbolting it. Make sure your jack stands are weight rated for the truck, I've sqished a set of those cheesy sheet metal stands>>>never again.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
and if its an asphalt driveway, you will want something under the jackstands to keep them from sinking into the surface..
I would jack from the diff until you get the tires off the ground. then use jackstands against the frame forward of the axle.
this will let you get the axle closer to the ground as you disconnect the springs, shocks..
(and the brake line hose)
I would have two more jackstands for the axle tubes when you go to reconnect..
nothing like the axle wiggling around on you while making connections..
Sam
I would jack from the diff until you get the tires off the ground. then use jackstands against the frame forward of the axle.
this will let you get the axle closer to the ground as you disconnect the springs, shocks..
(and the brake line hose)
I would have two more jackstands for the axle tubes when you go to reconnect..
nothing like the axle wiggling around on you while making connections..
Sam
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
(I was able to hold a mustang almost 3ft off the floor for a year while I worked on it.)
I would guess 2-3 ton should be fine. lift height will be the problem (holding the frame up high enough on trucks, specially if lifted, can't tell on yours)
Sam
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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When I lifted my '03 I borrowed jack-stands from work that we use on Tractor-Trailers, they sit about 20" fully down.
You will need to lift the truck so the rear wheels are a good 8" off of the ground, then remove the tires to allow the axle to drop enough to allow the springs to arch-out. I would disconnect everything (shocks, brake lines, breather line, parking brake cables) prior to lifting it up in the air.
While the jack is under the rear, loosen the u-bolt nuts but not before the jack-stands are in place.
You will need to lift the truck so the rear wheels are a good 8" off of the ground, then remove the tires to allow the axle to drop enough to allow the springs to arch-out. I would disconnect everything (shocks, brake lines, breather line, parking brake cables) prior to lifting it up in the air.
While the jack is under the rear, loosen the u-bolt nuts but not before the jack-stands are in place.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: North Carolina
careful with jack stand ratings... if you buy a pair they usually plaster the COMBINED weight rating all over the box. Divide by 2 to get the individual rating.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
He likely won't be loosening his U-bolts at all.
Oio
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 530
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From: W. Wisc
I used decent 2.25ton stands under my axle last weekend (on cement), and it worked just fine. Weight probably won't be your issue - height will as lower rated stands won't be tall enough. You need to support on the frame, right near the spring attachment points. Problem you will run into is getting the rear of the truck high enough so that the wheels will still be off the ground while it is held up by the frame (assuming you start jacking on the rear axle). You need to raise it waaay up for that to happen.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
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From: Lubbock
ive used extra sets of wheels and tires a few times as jack stands. raise the truck up till the tires are off the ground barely. then use a jack to support the axle. the easiest way to go is to unhook the axle with the tires still attached (remove ubolts, brake lines, ujoints, electronics, etc) lower the axle down and roll it out. if possible this will make it a one man job instead of trying to wrestle or drag a 300+ lbs axle around
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I would pull the wheels and tires then use jackstands on the chassis as low as you need to, to get the axle out on the jack (at the pumpkin).
then the other back in and then back up tp put the wheels back on..
you don't need to fight the wheels and tires too, especially with that loaded axle connected..
sam
then the other back in and then back up tp put the wheels back on..
you don't need to fight the wheels and tires too, especially with that loaded axle connected..
sam
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Senior User
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i am planning on putting all the springs in from the 03.
once i have all the old suspension and axle out. and i have the new unit in place. will i need to compress the the leaf springs to get the bolts to line up?
once i have all the old suspension and axle out. and i have the new unit in place. will i need to compress the the leaf springs to get the bolts to line up?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
the other end of the spring is a fixed position.
Sam
on edit.. assumption is the springs are the same length.. if not, that might force you to take axle off springs..
anyone know if the springs are the same length between these two years?