When my Dad taught my brother and I about cars as kids, he made us jack it up with a big floor jack (he said that bottle or scissor jack is for roadside emergencies only), stick whatever tires we removed under the frame, and use jackstands. It's been my method ever since. Luckily, I have never had a car slip, but it could happen I suppose.
Bottle Jack Awareness Thread - Pics
- Thread starter T4RFool
- Start date
Dropzone
New member
just out of curiosity what is your plans to mount it securely?
That is a big heavy missile in a crash or rollover.
great dad you have/had there.
StreetCreeper
New member
Maybe I'm a p***y, but I use two 6 ton Jack stands, plus any tire I took off. I also leave the floor Jack locked just under the Jack point or axle. I also pay close attention to where the Jack stands are so I don't accidently kick the release while scooting around.
I also have Rhino Ramps that I prefer using when I can.
I like eating pancakes — not becoming one.
I also have Rhino Ramps that I prefer using when I can.
I like eating pancakes — not becoming one.
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BrianSD_42
New member
Agreed.
BTW I also pack a jack stand.
BTW I also pack a jack stand.
Scramble
New member
My bottle jack is still under the back seat & has never been used in 16 years of ownership. I should probably take it out & use that space to store something else like my fire extinguisher & recovery strap. I use my Craftsman 2.5 ton floor jack & 3 ton jack stands. Last year I bought a Hi-Lift jack because of my lift but I haven't had the need to use it yet. I have that strapped down to the Tie Downs in the cargo area so it doesn't become a projectile in an accident. I also have good old fashion steel ramps that I use. But I tell ya, with the 3" lift & 1" body lift, I can just roll under the truck as is to get work done.
BrianSD_42
New member
It is tied down with paracord and a carribeaner.
D Farms
New member
the big thing with the hilift is its so tall and it can slip easily. I have certain spots on my bumper where the jack can sit and not slip off. at the same time the length of the hilift does give you some control when the truck starts to move, and when it does you better be holding on to it so you can control whats going on. the hilift is really a two person tool, you need one to keep their hands on it at all times, the other should place the jack stand or tire. with the bottle jack you want to lift from the lowest possible point, for our trucks on the front its the rivets under the control arms. this gives the jack the most stability because it hasn't extended very far. on the back, id say its probably the shock mount. I rarely jack off the diff housing or rack cross member in the front. the small floor jacks from autozone dont even reach my ucas since im running 35s.
Btw landcruiser guys running 37s still use the stock bottle jack, its a good jack but you need to understand how jacking works, never assume the load is stable unless you have chalked the wheels and are using jack stands. the best way to think of it is just like your truck on an off camber obstacle, if the point of contact between the jack and the frame is not above the base your jack will swing over.
ive attached a diagram of how the bottle jack can move in certain situations. often the jacking point will shift and the jack will end up looking like the second diagram, if this is the case, lower the jack and set it up so that the jack is set up the opposite of that to start, this will give you more stability when you need it.
Btw landcruiser guys running 37s still use the stock bottle jack, its a good jack but you need to understand how jacking works, never assume the load is stable unless you have chalked the wheels and are using jack stands. the best way to think of it is just like your truck on an off camber obstacle, if the point of contact between the jack and the frame is not above the base your jack will swing over.
ive attached a diagram of how the bottle jack can move in certain situations. often the jacking point will shift and the jack will end up looking like the second diagram, if this is the case, lower the jack and set it up so that the jack is set up the opposite of that to start, this will give you more stability when you need it.
Attachments
Bottle Jack
Where is the best place to find a bottle jack? I just bought a 4runner, and it is lacking the bottle jack, and the tool/crank handle for lowering the spare tire. I'll probably go with an alternate method than the stock bottle jack for my 4runner, but definitely need the other tools. All the salvage yards around here have completely gutted runners w/ no tools left. Chris... BTW, if someone has an extra set feel free to shoot me a PM...
Where is the best place to find a bottle jack? I just bought a 4runner, and it is lacking the bottle jack, and the tool/crank handle for lowering the spare tire. I'll probably go with an alternate method than the stock bottle jack for my 4runner, but definitely need the other tools. All the salvage yards around here have completely gutted runners w/ no tools left. Chris... BTW, if someone has an extra set feel free to shoot me a PM...
AntleredRuin
New member
Nah, man, use it to carry your zombie defense arsenal. I've always wanted to do this, but it's probably not legal, huh?
Looks pretty BA in the show Supernatural when they pop the trunk to the Impala and have a weapons workbench just sitting there.
Also, something else to watch out for - NEVER have your hand anywhere near the bottom of an engine to help stabilize it when lowering it back into the engine bay .
I did this a few years ago on an AMC 360 in my Wagoneer. My dad was lowering it down and the chain somehow slipped right as he 'gave it gas' while lowering it. It swung to the side and the driver side exhaust manifold landed on my hand and pinned it to the frame. A couple of centimeters over and I would have caught the motor mount bolts through the back of my hand. Didn't get any pictures, but ended up with a great big ole bruise right across the top and bottom of my hand for a few weeks.
I'm surprised it didn't break at all. It actually didn't really even hurt, though I'm sure that was more due to shock. We ended up putting the engine back in just a couple hours later after a bit of ice. I glad I didn't have to learn the 'extremely hard way' to be careful with heavy equipment; this was good enough for me.
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TheDurk
Elite Member
Did you look under the rear seat, passenger side? You wouldn't be the first new owner to not know where those things are stored.
Bstrom
New member
Right on advice. I'm going to add a jack stand to my 4R and Tundra - shoulda thought of that one 20 years ago.
Also, Walmart sells a smallish floor jack for just $18 that goes to 13" - dunno if it'll lift a 4R high enough off the LCA or its bushing/pivot location to change 265s but it's a lot better than any bottle or screw jack.
