Proof I am newb!

[Gearhead13]

Ok, here's proof that I am a newb at all this 4x4 shit. I mean, i've had the truck for almost 6 years and it's just sat in the back yard till about a year ago. I've been working on it since. For the life of me I can't figure it out. I didn't have any problems till I started putting the 6" lift. I did the back axle last night and it's what brought this to my attnetion.

What do you use to jack your truck up to work on the wheel's and brakes when it's lifted? I know, sounds dumb as hell. I got a Hi-Lift 60" jack but it hardly helps. I start to lift the truck and it's not stable enough by itself to be safe. I've tried to use my hydraulic jacks but they hardly reach high enough to help any.

Also, my jack stands i use when working on my other cars don't reach the frame rails on the truck, even when on 8" helper boxes. My floor jacks, the 2 of them, don't reach either now that I've put my 6" lift on the back axles along with the 35" tires. *doing the rest friday*

Can you all post pics or links to stuff you use for lifting up your truck and supporting it.

I'll prepare for the flaming. I come from a background of ricers and muscle cars. I've not work with trucks much at all.

[KC2OTE]

Originally Posted by Gearhead13

What do you use to jack your truck up to work on the wheel's and brakes when it's lifted?

Lift, remove tires, lower axle onto jackstands. Even the 6ton stands I have don't reach the tubes with the tires on so no matter what I hafta remove the tires to get the Jeep on stands.

[Gearhead13]

Maybe I just have a shitty jack. It won't reach the axle tubes w/ the tires on. Hell, i'll measure it when I get home to see if it even reaches 21 inches like the ones they sell up at the pep boys.

[Andre75]

Originally Posted by Gearhead13

Maybe I just have a shitty jack. It won't reach the axle tubes w/ the tires on. Hell, i'll measure it when I get home to see if it even reaches 21 inches like the ones they sell up at the pep boys.

Just thinking out loud here, but if you're only running 35's, your axle tubes shouldn't be more than 15" off the ground. That's not too much to ask of a good size floor or bottle jack

[Gearhead13]

That's what I am thinking. The jack i am using is probably 15 years old. I've just never thought about buying another one cause it's worked fine, till now.

How bout jack stands. I need to support the frame while i pull the springs out. Last night the back wasn't too bad since i was working w/ the stock height. I got the tires on and let it down. The jack stands were up all the way on top of 8" blocks and still didn't touch the frame. Maybe I need new ones of those too, they are also 12 years old easy. Is it safe to stack em on bricks since that all i've got left to stack stuff?

I figured i'd just ask rather then go blow money on something that won't work, or kill myself testing systems out.

[Juztyn00]

Cinder blocks or bricks are a really bad idea.... esspecially if you are be moving things around and banging on suspension components..
blocks of wood are safer.



This was after my cinderblocks turned int rubble.

[Gearhead13]

Well, the front end just showed itself to be alot easier to lift up then the back. Alot less frame flex up front with the bumper jack. Im using the big Hi-Lift. I put my jack stands on the platform part of the roll up ramps i used to use for changing oil. They seem super stable and are designed for that kind of weight. I'll take a pic and post it later when I get to a stoping point. I can't wait till I get the lift done so I can work on the body. I need to weld some damn holes and seams up. Jeez o might.

Plus, it's freaking amazing how well the tires fit under the truck. Looks like they were made to go there. I'll be back hopefully tonight w/ pictures if I am not out there to late.

[aaron o.]

once you get it in the air, stack the tires under the bumper as a safeguard in case the jackstands slide up the frame. We had a friend die when the stands slid on the frame rails.

[Gearhead13]

Holy shit, that's definately noted.

[Gearhead13]

Here's my jackstand setup.



I'll start another thread in the build up section for the lift info.

[redranger4.0]

i use RIGID pipe stands, they hold 2500 each so they have no problem holding the front of my ranger up. they go from 28" to like 50 something

[Azzy2000]

Stands i got from my local welding supply house.. They have coarse and fine adjustment and also are rated at 2,500lb each. I picked up 4 of them for 59$ each.

[NetBSD]

jack stands on ramps, i remember when i was that stupid, almost killed me when the stand slipped off the ramp

[Gearhead13]

Originally Posted by redranger4.0

i use RIGID pipe stands, they hold 2500 each so they have no problem holding the front of my ranger up. they go from 28" to like 50 something

Where did you get those at? They look to be exactly what I need.

Originally Posted by Azzy2000

Stands i got from my local welding supply house.. They have coarse and fine adjustment and also are rated at 2,500lb each. I picked up 4 of them for 59$ each.

I'll take a look down here to see if they have any. I hope i can find something better then my rig up.

[Gearhead13]

Originally Posted by NetBSD

jack stands on ramps, i remember when i was that stupid, almost killed me when the stand slipped off the ramp

Thats why I'm asking.

[Rerock]

Originally Posted by redranger4.0

i use RIGID pipe stands, they hold 2500 each so they have no problem holding the front of my ranger up. they go from 28" to like 50 something

I got those exact ones. They're sweet! Call any place like Viking Electric, Grainger, or Graybar. Pipe Stands they're called. 28-52" tall. I think the P/N# is 52662? They're used to hold the far end of a pipe when the pipe is in a pipe threading machine.

[guidolyons]

Now wonder you are having problems with your jack and jackstands...those are tiny! When you lift/upgrade the truck, the jack and jackstands need to be upgraded also! Please get the proper (larger) jackstands before you get hurt or killed!

Harbor Freight usually has some large ones (6ton+) pretty cheap if you catch them on sale, get the pipestand ones, or if you have the welding skills, fab your own.
/forum/shop-tools/380487-tall-jack-stands-36-a.html
/forum/shop-tools/355733-anyone-make-homemade-jack-stands.html

Always jack (or support with jackstands) from the lowest point possible, plus you don't have to lift the entire truck and suspension. If you jack below the axle it compresses the springs. If you are using a hi-lift or bumper style jack, you can chain the axle to the frame to keep it from drooping down as much.

Also if you have the wheels and tires off off it's a good idea to lay them under the truck, in case it slides off the jackstands, there is something that might keep the truck from crushing you. If the rims and tires are still on, always chock the wheels to keep from rolling. If you aren't on a solid surface like concrete or asphalt, make your you use a block of wood or a piecs of 1/4" plate steel to keep your jackstands from sinking.

[redranger4.0]

Originally Posted by Gearhead13

Where did you get those at? They look to be exactly what I need.



I'll take a look down here to see if they have any. I hope i can find something better then my rig up.

i used froogle to search for Ridgid pipestands. went to the lowest priced website, got the two of them shipped to my house for like 120. they are like 50 each or so

[Al Kaholick]

Originally Posted by aaron o.

once you get it in the air, stack the tires under the bumper as a safeguard in case the jackstands slide up the frame. We had a friend die when the stands slid on the frame rails.

Sorry to hear about your friend. This shows the benefit of trying to knock the truck off the stands before getting under it. Also always check your stands to make sure they are completely seated on the ground