Jack Stand + Safety

[HOJeepster]

Holy shit. I was using the stock bottle jack to lift my truck and remove the front passenger side wheel. Within 60 seconds the truck shifted and feel off the bottle jack and the entire truck was resting on the front caliper.

Consider this a friendly lesson - use more than common sense when working on your truck. Use jack stands. Put support under other areas of the vehicle. Also, have the front wheels pointed straight! I think having them turning driver side cause the car to lose balance.

Luckily, I was not underneath the truck. Be safe! Get the right tools!:frusty:

 

[TNRunner99]

Luckily, I was not underneath the truck. Be safe! Get the right tools!:frusty:

Glad you weren't under there. I use a 3 ton floor jack when working in the garage. If I'm having to get under the Runner for anything I use jack stands on both sides with the floor jack as well. It still makes me a bit nervous being under there, especially if I'm having to do some tugging on some wrenches.

 

[Greydog]

Oh man, that's not fun at all. I had a Renault Fuego fall once on the stock scissor jack, my hands were in/near the rear springs trying to get a shock out.

Yup, never lifted a vehicle after that without jack stands.. I use a ridiculous number of jack stands...

Glad your OK !

 

[Slowgoat]

I knew a guy who died like this.

Got under the vehicle, slipped off the jack, suffocated under the weight of it.

Gives me chills.

Be safe!

**Edit:** Or you could try this classic method:

 

[Bob J]

Pretty scary what could happen if you are not careful..... Glad you are ok.....

 

[Whiplash Willy]

So what is the safest way to get the 4runner up on 4 jack stands?

What I have always done is jack up the front end first, using the front circular point in the image above, then put it down on 2 jack stands on the front rectangular points on the image above. I then jack up the rear from the point on the rear diff, and put it down on 2 more jackstands on the rectangular rear points (rear axle).

My worry is that when I have the front on jackstands, and start jacking the rear up, the 4runner pivots on the front jack stands. My worry being that it could somehow slip off the front jackstands. Is this something to worry about if the front jackstands are properly placed? Is there a better/safer way to get the 4runner on all 4 jackstands?

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

So what is the safest way to get the 4runner up on 4 jack stands?

What I have always done is jack up the front end first, using the front circular point in the image above, then put it down on 2 jack stands on the front rectangular points on the image above. I then jack up the rear from the point on the rear diff, and put it down on 2 more jackstands on the rectangular rear points (rear axle).

My worry is that when I have the front on jackstands, and start jacking the rear up, the 4runner pivots on the front jack stands. My worry being that it could somehow slip off the front jackstands. Is this something to worry about if the front jackstands are properly placed? Is there a better/safer way to get the 4runner on all 4 jackstands?

I'd jack up the rear first, then put the jack stands on either side of the rear axle.

Then do the front end and the stands under the rear axle are better situated to pivot slightly as you raise the front.

 

[JB.]

I'm not comfortable with only 4 stands. I put it up on 4 and then have 2 "rovers" that go somewhere near where I'm working.

 

[lelandr]

I know that this is pretty anal, but I also use a small piece of cardboard between the stand & the car to prevent marking. This is especially true on cars with undercoating which can get damaged & trap water against the body.