DIY what size jack/jackstands ?

Some of the crap on this forum seriously makes me want to sell my 4runner so I don't come here and see the idiots that drive the same vehicle i do...
 
Used correctly, I don't see why a saddle extension on a floor jack isn't a viable alternative?
Seems safer than blocks & bricks...


I agree. Unfortunately the jacks that I have don't have a place for the drop in type of extension and I have been unable to find a saddle extension that goes over the lift point on the jack :(

I'm about ready to cut and weld my own extension, handle, and fix any other short cummings it may have.

I have purchased the large aluminum one from harbor freight and once there is any substantial weight on it I have to literally put ALL of my weight on it for it to move up just a lil. Then when I try to lower it, I am unable to control the speed and it slams down !

Maybe I am just cursed by the jack gods....
 
Last edited:
Some of the crap on this forum seriously makes me want to sell my 4runner so I don't come here and see the idiots that drive the same vehicle i do...


lol I know what u mean !

When u find a good build thread, you find some GREAT ppl and mechanically minded individuals that r a BIG help !

But sometimes when u do a search and get crap like this.... Arrrrggggghhhh !!!!

Re-gosh-dam-diculous !

Thx for ur understanding :)

As soon as I find a good jack I'll post pics and specs and review
 
I'm really confused how a thread about what jack and jack stands to buy has 2 pages of nonsense. Lift it by suspension components!!! To lift rear of the vehicle. Place jack under center diff. For the front lift by control arms. Simple as that. And really who cares if you have to use a couple wood blocks to raise the jack stand a bit. It's way cheaper than buyin big jack stands.
 
Used correctly, I don't see why a saddle extension on a floor jack isn't a viable alternative?
Seems safer than blocks & bricks...

It is. My floor jack came with 2 saddles, one flat and 1 one 6" or so tall for xtra height.

I have 4 pair of jack stands of different heights, the tallest about 24" totally extended. Sometimes that's not enough to work on my 84. I have a large stack of 2x8's about 16" long that can be cross-stacked to make a stable platform under the stands if needed. Solid as heck. Using bricks or cinder blocks is not good, they can just give in and shatter w/o warning.
Depending on what you're doing, placing the jack under the diff is usually best to raise it as high as possible.

On my car or other trucks sometimes it must be lifted in stages to get enough room to slide under. Just depends on vehicle and circumstances.
 
Last edited:
Here's my opinion on this thread.
[MENTION=66550]St0neWhite[/MENTION] is absolutely right.

The question was never answered.
[MENTION=1857]fourwd1[/MENTION] is also absolutely right.
No one is forcing anyone to be here.

Speaking from experience, most jacks don't do enough to lift the vehicle.

Jacking from the rear axle is all well and good when you have a SOLID axle that is getting both wheels off the ground.

HOWEVER, with my 35s, it barely gets them off the ground.

If I want to do suspension work, forget it. My hi-lift doesn't even get them off the ground. I have to get the damn thing up by the axle using spacers, then pray my stands will be high enough to keep them off the ground.

With my DRCs up front, sitting at about 3", my jack doesn't get them off the ground without spacers, going from the crossmember point.

And let's face it, who wants to go from side to side with the jack to get them off the ground? Double the work.

Then, and this has happened a few times, while you lift the other side, there's a good possibility that the damn stands are going to shift and you're gonna have to reposition them. PITA.

If I go from the LCA, I can barely get them off the ground before my jack limits out.

Forget about putting "normal" stands under them. With my rig on the ground, the 3 ton stands I have don't even touch the frame.

IMHO, if you have welding skills, making your stands is the best bet, or making some "extensions" for the stands.

I made two "extensions" out of some 1/4" plate, 1/4" rod, and some 1x1/4" angle iron I had laying around.

Gave me about 6-8" more inches, or more.

I would say the best bet would be to get a lift, but those aren't always the most reasonable way to do it.
[MENTION=66550]St0neWhite[/MENTION], find the jack with the highest height. If that doesn't give you enough, buy an extension, or make one yourself.

Looking real quick at the HF website, the 12 ton stands go up to a height of 30 inches. The 3 tons usually go no higher than 16-18 inches.

Harbor freight also has a hydraulic scissor lift up to 6 tons for about 1800. Hmmmmm.
 
Dude ! u understand ! thank you. lol ill reply with pics and dimensions as soon as i figure it out. i was just hoping that there was some secrete hidden good deal on a jack out there i could just buy....
 
[MENTION=66550]St0neWhite[/MENTION]:

I'll get some pics tomorrow to show you what I'm talking about......

Or maybe I'll go take them now. Kinda bored. Lol.
 
Here's my opinion on this thread.
[MENTION=66550]St0neWhite[/MENTION] is absolutely right.

The question was never answered.
[MENTION=1857]fourwd1[/MENTION] is also absolutely right.
No one is forcing anyone to be here.

Speaking from experience, most jacks don't do enough to lift the vehicle.

Jacking from the rear axle is all well and good when you have a SOLID axle that is getting both wheels off the ground.

HOWEVER, with my 35s, it barely gets them off the ground.

If I want to do suspension work, forget it. My hi-lift doesn't even get them off the ground. I have to get the damn thing up by the axle using spacers, then pray my stands will be high enough to keep them off the ground.

With my DRCs up front, sitting at about 3", my jack doesn't get them off the ground without spacers, going from the crossmember point.

And let's face it, who wants to go from side to side with the jack to get them off the ground? Double the work.

Then, and this has happened a few times, while you lift the other side, there's a good possibility that the damn stands are going to shift and you're gonna have to reposition them. PITA.

If I go from the LCA, I can barely get them off the ground before my jack limits out.

Forget about putting "normal" stands under them. With my rig on the ground, the 3 ton stands I have don't even touch the frame.

IMHO, if you have welding skills, making your stands is the best bet, or making some "extensions" for the stands.

I made two "extensions" out of some 1/4" plate, 1/4" rod, and some 1x1/4" angle iron I had laying around.

Gave me about 6-8" more inches, or more.

I would say the best bet would be to get a lift, but those aren't always the most reasonable way to do it.
[MENTION=66550]St0neWhite[/MENTION], find the jack with the highest height. If that doesn't give you enough, buy an extension, or make one yourself.

Looking real quick at the HF website, the 12 ton stands go up to a height of 30 inches. The 3 tons usually go no higher than 16-18 inches.

Harbor freight also has a hydraulic scissor lift up to 6 tons for about 1800. Hmmmmm.

I got a pair of the 12-ton stands from harbor freight for Christmas - they are f-ing giant.

I feel OP's pain when ever I do suspension work. It may not be the best or the quickest way, but I use a fast pump bottle jack on a spacer I built from stacked 2x4s screwed together. I jack up one side and place a jack stand under the frame and then do the other. It is slow and cumbersome, but the jack stands are beef and the truck is level when raised.

I don't really know of a great solution...
 
Buy the best and cry once!

I have the worst luck with jacks! Sears et al fail one day after warranty expires! Pretty much ALL made in chin nowadays and it takes some digging to find old time quality.


My Choices:

Lives in 4R:

5 ton USJack Bottlejack http://www.usjack.com/products/Bottle Jacks.pdf

Made in USA

For home use and occasional drag along I'm looking at a floor jack. Floor jacks are trickier as without spending over $500 you are not getting what you used to.

Try this site for all you'll ever want to know about jacks:

Hydraulic Jacks Home Page

Looks like finding a good old USA model and refurbing will give the best bang for the buck. Kits are sold through this site I recall. I've been taking this route but not found a good candidate. When in SoCal last fall there were many in LA area for ~$100-$200 in working order; old Milwaukees and even a Hein Warner or two. Beware! Things are changing fast and even Hein Warner is a china company assembling in USA, Supposedly still worthy but..watch the quality drop…. :(

Otherwise pretty much ALL jacks and stands are equal; buy local with a warranty. Open box and look especially at the jack stands! I have seen incomplete weak welds and if you're going to be sliding under a 2 ton truck you want it staying up there! I have some 3 tons from sears for now.

HTH

uetP
 
My 6 ton HF jack stands top out at 23.25 inches, which has been plenty tall for my 3" lifted 4runner.

I have a HF 2.5 ton long frame floor jack that was my dads...it goes all the way up to 31 inches of lift...freaking awesome. It is beastly heavy though. Lifting it into a truck bed is a back breaker. I can't imagine needing to go higher. Unfortunately, that model has been discontinued for years.
 
Victory !!! Found a good one...
Reaches lifted 4Runner frame... Lifts enough to get tires off the ground... Still have 1 more notch in the extension... Relatively compact.....And it locks and doubles as a jack stand !!!!

Thought I'd share...

Cheers


e2be21ce5d664def018663de14052255.jpg


ba426cf3379b027ad82989d141a3c934.jpg
 
You are correct. Apparently you are not familiar with the maintenance and frequency of replacing an upper or lower ball joint(s), cv axle, diff seal, or coilovers on a lift truck that gets used often ... Of which I have done all at least twice and some while on a trip of sort.

If you have or seen another Jack that is more compact and useful I would sincerely like to see it! I love me some new gadgets.
 
Bottle jack and wood blocks/cribbing works perfectly along with an appropriate jack stand.

My wheeling rig has solid axles front and rear, so I don't deal with IFS trail breaks. That stuff is taken care of on a two post lift in my shop.

That's an SUV not a truck BTW.
 
Then you don't have to deal w an ifs system...

Good for u...
I do

2post lift ... Good for u
I don't

If what u said is true, there's no reason for u to reply to this thread... U can add no value

Multiple pieces like bottle jacks, blocks, cribbing etc... Is what I am looking to get away from...

Guess u haven't read all of the thread...

I was looking for assistance and ideas not a patronizing back and forth conversation w someone that is merely trying to argue details, and brag about a 2post lift rather than assist.

I hope that in life u will run into ppl unlike u that are willing to collaborate and share ideas in essence of progress.

Cheers
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,079
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top