Jack Stands etc.

[ExpandingMan]

After reading the post in General Disussion forum re: bumper jacks etc., I have a question. I have the stock bumper jack (emergency use only now that I've had a near-miss) an MVP brand bottle jack and MVP jackstands. (M_any V_ietnamese P_eople built these cheap things, I think).

My question is, how should I jack her up? Can I use a jack directly on the axle, or would that be detrimental. I'll probably buy a floor jack eventually, but even then, where would I put it? Only once have I gotten my Jeep off all fours, and I used the bumper jack one corner at a time, placing jackstands on the plate under the suspension (between the four bolts). I fixed what I set out to fix, then let her down slowly, each time having to jack the bumper way up until the axle came up off the jackstand, then removing the jackstand and lowering back down. The notches on the front bumper are obscured by the bumper-guard, so I was placing the bumperjack up against the bar of the guard (it fit right into the curved part of the hook of the bumperjack). This technique was stupid and dangerous but all I could afford at the time. When I was lowering the last corner, the bumperjack wanted to tilt over to the side before I could let it down. With some friends' help (and camera rolling. . .just in case) we got her down w/o too much slam.

Anyway, my question is: Where do I put the jack so that I don't have to lift the body way up off the suspension, yet still have a place to put the jackstands?

BTW, I hope no one is offended by my racist comment. 'Vietnamese' was the only thing I could think of that would imply foreign manufacture.

[porkchop]

I always use the pumpkin to jack up my wag. When I go to jack up the drivers side I use the old leaf spring mounts on the bottom of the axle and then put the stands next to that. Jacking it up this way will do no damagae to the axle and is in my opinion the safest way. I just have a 2 ton floor jack and I only use the hi-lift off road.

[UnkleMunky]

Depends on what you're lifting the vehicle for! When changing a tire, I go for the axle or spring mount area on the axle. This lifts the wheel off the ground a LOT more quickly than a frame or bumper type jack job. Plus, I feel it's a LOT more secure. Always "think ahead" and consider where you want the jack stand to go, and leave room for it when you place the jack to lift it! smile.gif BLOCK the tires too....made that stupid mistake once when I forgot to!!

When I have to do shocks, then I go for the frame as I don't want the shocks "compressed", I want them "extended" for less pressure. Just put on those spring over-shock things on the rear of my J10 and did this to it, and used a bottle jack for each side and TWO stands on each side as well. I prefer to place the stands on solid frame or axle locations.

The floor jacks are nice as they will go lower than many bottle jacks and also have the grooved saddle so it's less likely to "slip" out!

All in all...use common sense and think "slow and safe" in all actions. I've got two MVP floor jacks but two different stand sets. Craftsman and another brand bottle jacks. I LOVE the hydraulic jacks to death...they are one of the best investments I've ever made!

PS...ALWAYS make sure you have a "solid" ground to place your jack/stands on.....I carry extra blocks and chunks of plywood with in the truck for emergencies. Use 2" wide(edit....that's 2" THICK, but wide- for more stability) boards and/or cement blocks at home and have never had a problem!

Just my experience...

[ October 07, 2001: Message edited by: UnkleMunky ]

[SAR-4800]

EM,
You crack me up!
Hey, you wouldn't be a fan of Steely Dan, would you?
One of my favorite songs happens to be your name.

[Sitting Bull]

I just wanted to give a quick product review for anyone purchasing a floor jack. Last year for Christmas (love my wife), I got the new Craftsman floor jack. The jack goes from all the way down clear up to the frame on one pull (well, it would if my frame weren't so high, it goes up to the axle now), then resumes normal lifting once the resistance is felt. I am very pleased with it, and would recommend it for any in the market for a new one.

[Bnjnz]

sitting bull, i bought that same craftsman jack and it is great. one stroke and you are ready to go. it is rated for 3 tons and has the highest lift out of all the jacks that i found. i was glad to spend the extra cash there

benjamin
1991 GW

[64Trvlr]

My $.02 here. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ever use cement blocks to hold your vehicle or support it. It's a quick way to kill yourself or somebody else working on your vehicle. Use jackstands, large ( 10x12, 10x14 ) wood blocks to hold it up, but never rely on your jack alone. When I was a Paramedic we scraped up several guys who used concete blocks to hold their cars up.
:cool:

[Bandit]

A company called Energy Release has some new adjustable jack stands. You should check them out....they're really neat!!

[ExpandingMan]

I suppose my hesitation was in jackstands under the axle. So, you're saying that's fine. Until I get the floor jack, I'll use the bottle to jack up under the shocks, one side at a time, leaving the jackstand in it's place.

SAR,
yes, I'm a huge fan of the Dan. "Deacon Blues" is the song. I'll take one last drag, as I approach the stand.