new to DIY... jack points for front?

[amalik]

hey guys,

so as some of you know who I've bothered in PM -- I'm a pretty new DIY'er and have questions as I get into more and more stuff.

As part of the evolution, I've picked up a jack (3t) and jack stands (6t from harbor freight).

On a side note, I was disappointed the Jack I went with ended up made in China, you would think with how much GM crap is on ACDelco's website that it would be made in Michigan. I went with this Jack because it's the only 21'' hydraulic floor jack I found. I was using a 17 or 18'' to do new brake pads with a friend and it barely was able to get the tires off the ground. I'm not a hater of Chinese products but I also don't want the jack to fall apart on me one day.

ACDelco 34119 - SUV High Lift Floor Jack | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Anyway, back to the topic at hand...

On the rear, there really isn't an issue with this 21'' jack and jacking by the pumpkin on the rear differential...

But on the front... I'm kind of confused.

As you can see in this picture, utilizing this jack point in the front which seems pretty safe, at 21'' maxing the jack out, I can't even get a tire off the floor!!!

But... at this point which is lower... I can get the truck far off the ground... I just don't like this spot as much :/

My newbie questions are as follows...

• Is this jack point OK? I don't really see where else will work for the front (I know some people suggest the control arms, but sorry - I'm not too comfortable with that).
  
• If it is OK, is it OK for me to be jacking just one side and placing a jack stand? I feel like on the driver side there is undue pressure from having passenger side jacked up. I don't have any technical basis for what I'm saying; it just seems like a lot of the weight is shifted and forced on opposite side... in a bad way. Am I just new and stupid on this point or is there any legitimacy to it?
  
• Lastly, and kind of related to my last point -- Should I jack from the middle of that bar and but jack stands on both sides? Or jack one side at a time and then put the stands on?

All these questions relate to the front as I stated the back lifts both sides at the same time when you use the middle of the rear diff.

Thanks guys! :thumb:

 

[downpour11]

Jack it from the skid plate, then just put some jack stands under the frame rails. Simple as that.

 

[blizz86]

Theres a crossmember above the rear smaller skid plate. Use that as your jack point. If you need a spacer use a chunk of solid wood (4x4, 2x4, etc) to give yourself more height.

 

[JamesDean91]

Looks like your missing the rear half of your skid plate. I'd trust making from there or right Inst your steering rack.
As for jack stands I personally just jack one side up and slide it under then go to the other side but either of your ideas would work fine I do it the way I do mostly due to the fact I can't get the jack stands at the same height if I do them at the same time .

Atleast your using them unlike some people who win Darwin awards.

 

[kball]

Here's a pic for you.

 

[KidVermicious]

What's wrong with jacking from the control arm, now?

 

[jmildoc]

I use this, and just put two pieces of 2x8 on top of it, I have a lift and 33's and it still gets the tires off the ground, I think you should get a couple pieces of 2x8 or 2x10 and set that jack on it.

Powerbuilt 4,000 Lb Triple Lift Floor Jack | Product Details | Pep Boys