The stock Toyota jack sucks

[DarksideSurf]

While attempting to change a tire on the freeway, it collapsed on level ground and my brake disk was half an inch away from the pavement as a result. Since the axel was too low on one side to rejack, I had to run to a Auto Zone 5 miles away, pick up a cheap $40 floor jack, got a ride back to my car with the help of a really nice lady and change my tire on a 45 degree rainy day (hey that's COLD for Southern California).

Needless to say I'm not too happy with my stock Toyota jack right now.

 

[007Runner]

The jack collapsed how? Did it crumple under the weight of the 4Runner and crush like a beer can? Or did you simply jack on an incline, or not properly and have the thing fall? The jack is meant to be for emergency's so of course the quality will be low. However it should be strong enough to safely support the vehicle for a tire change.

 

[gizmopt2002]

Really? That has to be a malfunction. I've used our Toyota jack for more than just cars. I've used it to fix a deck that was collapsing and a trailer. Overall i rate a really good stock jack.

 

[pipspeak]

In my experience the stock jacks are perfectly solid but can be a bit unstable unless you follow the usual jacking rules... make sure the jack is straight and level, make sure the front wheels are blocked if you're jacking the rear (even on level ground), and make sure it's well seated on the car frame.

I've never had a jack collapse, but I nearly came a cropper once when I jacked the rear of a truck with no blocks at the front.

 

[Koz]

On my Taco the POS jack would not lift the vehicle high enough to put on the spare.

Koz

 

[charlier180]

Soon after purchasing my 4Runner I was trying out the jack in my driveway and decided that it may need some help in the stability department. I now carry a 1 foot square 3/8" steel plate to use for added stability when needed. Given the 4Runner's weight this plate helps to spread out that weight especially on a hot summer day when blacktop gets soft. Also helps on the side of the road where there is no blacktop and soft ground.

For home needs I purchased a Craftsman 3 ton floor jack which makes swapping summer and winter tires very easy.

 

[boston_kevin]

I keep a piece of trex decking in the back as a base for the jack when I need it. I have not had any problems with the jack on this vehicle, but you have to be very particular about the vehicle being flat and on level ground, otherwise, it will tip off the jack.

 

[Fro-Runner]

While attempting to change a tire on the freeway, it collapsed on level ground and my brake disk was half an inch away from the pavement as a result. Since the axel was too low on one side to rejack, I had to run to a Auto Zone 5 miles away, pick up a cheap $40 floor jack, got a ride back to my car with the help of a really nice lady and change my tire on a 45 degree rainy day (hey that's COLD for Southern California).

Needless to say I'm not too happy with my stock Toyota jack right now.

Darksidesurf, I purchased a Hi-lift truck jack from Pepboys this weekend. It is an hydraulic bottle jack with a jack stand built all-in-one. This jack is rated at 3 tons (6000 lbs) with an 11"- 21" height adjustment and has a key pin to lock into the holes of the jack stand part.
This jack was on sale for $29.99, so I bought two just in case I wanted to lift the whole front or rear of the truck. I plan to carry one inside of my Runner at all times. The Runner's spare jack looks as if it would take forever to jack up the truck; add that to the time it takes to get the spare tire from beneath the truck and it appears it would be a biotch changing a flat tire even in good weather.

 

[kimboy]

Today my 3 ton craftsman floor jack just crapped out on me. I guess I didn't prep it corretly on the first use. Anyways, out comes the stock jack.

My tire rotation just increased by 45 minutes, but, the stock jack worked.

It's a painful process turning the tube with all 4 pieces together. The rear is definatly easier to lift than the front.