What jack stands are inexpensive & useful for a 4runner (perhaps bought on the net?)

[Sherwood4Runner]

It's not the weight capacity (although 2 ton is too little IMO), but the height that we use the 6 ton for. They are able to reach much higher without being maxed out due to the lifts we have. My 3 tons won't reach my frame rails anymore so 6 tons work best. Also I feel more comfortable with the wider base of a 6 ton stand than a 2 ton stand.

Cool good to know. My 2 ton jacks at left over from when I had my Toyota Celica and they have a hard time even getting the front tires off the ground without a wood block underneath them. Good point.

 

[SCRunner12]

Given that, the height seems to be:

• Harbor Freight Item #38847
  • 15-1/8" to 24"
  • $40 + $7 shipping + $3 tax = $50
• Torin #T46002A Northern Item# 144852
  • 14 29/32" to 23 1/2"
  • $40 + $23 shipping = $63

Either of those will work perfect for you. It's just extra insurance to have the added height and wider base. The HF will work great and they have 20% coupons all the time. Plus there should be one real close to you so shipping shouldn't be factored in.

Cool good to know. My 2 ton jacks at left over from when I had my Toyota Celica and they have a hard time even getting the front tires off the ground without a wood block underneath them. Good point.

Yeah, my 3 tons just don't cut it anymore for tire rotations. I might get some 12 tons at some point for some real extra insurance. It's me that's laying under 2 tons of vehicle so I might as well go overkill.

 

[mom]

Here's a link for $34.99
6 Ton Jack Stand Set

That link comes up to $40 for me ($7 shipping + $3 tax) = about $50 for me.

I got mine at a local store for $29.99

Googling, I found a local store for Harbor Freight:

I might get some 12 tons at some point

I considered the taller 12 ton but ended up with the suggested 6 ton 24-inch tall set from the local HF (which I didn't even know existed).

Total price = $40 + about $4 tax ~= $44

Thanks everyone for the great advice.
You have the experience I lack!

I wonder what 'tonnage' my old garage-sale jack stands are?

 

[blackchild]

6 ton stands seems a little excessive for our 3rd Gen 4Runner. (4000-4500 lbs right?) I use 2 ton jack stands because I never have both the front and rear end off the ground at the same time. If I could start over I would definately get some 3 ton SUV Specific ones just for the extra safety (I believe SUV stands are taller than standard stands).

remember that these stands are rated for the pair, so that means a pair of 2 tons stands are rated to hold 4000 pounds, not 8000.

 

[mom]

Just to report back, these recommended jack stands have been working out perfectly.

Here's a picture of the jack stands in use today when I started looking at what I have to do to adjust my alignment at home.

Thanks for all your helpful advice!

 

[hrt4me]

this is good useful info, thanks!

 

[mom]

this is good useful info, thanks!

I'm glad it helps.

One 'gotcha' I found with these six-ton jacks is that they strongly suggest you push in the locking tab on the side of the jack, once you initially insert the ratchet post.

The problem is that the tab of metal was impossible for me to bend inward!

I'll snap a photo in the morning ... but my question is HOW on earth do you guys manage to bend in that hugely strong tab?

 

[TegoXR]

I HAVE TO buy new jackstands, mine are only 2 tons.

 

[mom]

mine are only 2 tons.

As explained here, the tonnage doesn't matter as much as the length.

These suggested jack stands are the perfect length for working on my 4Runner!

By the way, I just snapped a picture of the minor riddle of the tab on the jack stand.

The instructions clearly admonish:

CAUTION: Bend this tab after inserting ratchet bar

It's embarrassing to admit but I tried banging with a hammer, placing a steel rod on the tab and banging with a larger hammer, putting a nail and banging some more, etc.

Despite pounding away, the thick steel tab didn't budge a micron.

Two (somewhat embarrassing-to-ask) questions:

Q1: So why the big CAUTION? I mean, the only thing that I see that happens without the tab bent is that the ratchet can come out when the jack stands are upside down. Is there a safety problem that I don't see?

Q2: Do you bend your tabs? If so, how on earth do you do it for such strong jack stands?

 

[curtperry]

I'm glad it helps.

One 'gotcha' I found with these six-ton jacks is that they strongly suggest you push in the locking tab on the side of the jack, once you initially insert the ratchet post.

The problem is that the tab of metal was impossible for me to bend inward!

I'll snap a photo in the morning ... but my question is HOW on earth do you guys manage to bend in that hugely strong tab?

a length of steel rod or a large punch and then with a BFH (3 lbs hammer or larger)... whack away


To Q1: My best guess.. without the tab bent in it could be extended above the toothed section and sitting cockeyed enough not to fall. Then if you are counting on it to support vehicle weight as a backup to some other jack or stand, it could fail when weight hits it.

 

[mom]

UPDATE:

I must say, I've used these suggested jack stands quite a few times already and they're absolutely wonderful!

Here, for example, is a shot of them in action doing my rear brakes this weekend.

 

[mom]

It has been years since I last logged in, but I just want to report that, with more experience, I highly recommend buying four of the 15-inch 6-ton jack stands.

I bought my second set at Harbor Freight when they went on sale.

While it's rarely necessary to put the car on all four, I do it even when I'm just rotating the tires, simply because it's a bit of up-front work, but then everything else is easier with 15 inches of space under the entire car.