StreetCreeper
New member
I think there is something special about 4runners that just makes a man feel like it's a truck worth saving — worth improving upon even.
Perhaps it's the general sense of quality and craftsmanship that went into these trucks at the factory. Or maybe the timeless good-looks that many modern trucks simply can't match. For me, it's both that make this older truck a real keeper.
No matter our motivations, there are plenty of people wanting to get in there with grungy hands to dig around amidst a 4runners rust and grease covered metallic guts. Absently smiling in anticipation of wielding hand tools like a surgeons bloody scalpel while wrenching out the cancerous decay caused by time, elements and neglect.
Ah...but anyways...
Before this happens, there are plenty of people who really have little or no experience working on or under a vehicle (myself included).
And this brought me to the realization that before I do anything more serious than brakes, I need to learn about working on and more specifically under a truck safely.
Here's what I know — I know the basics:
So the topic of how to safely work under a truck doesn't seem to come up too often. Presumably because much of it is common sense.
But surely there must be some great advice based upon actual experience on how to safely work under a truck without sqashing yourself. Common sense is great; book knowledge is great too, but there is no substitute for lessons learned from experience.
So I ask, what dangerous experiences have you had under a truck in the past? What caused it and how could it have been avoided?
What kind of jack stands are good? Not necessarily what brand, but what type to look for.
What kind of Jack stand weight rating is appropriate for 4runners? I know 4runners are just under 4k stock; is a 2 ton jack cutting it too close?
Should we use more than two whenever possible?
Are wheel chocks a smart idea all the time no matter ramp or jack?
Are ramps better, or more appropriate in certain situations when the wheels are still on the truck?
Where are the safest places to put the jack stands?
Are there certain "never-do's" while working under a vehicle; lying directly under an axle for instance?
What are some safeguards that novices could/should always do before wrenching underneath a vehicle?
These are the types of questions that I think may be obvious to seasoned mechanics, but I'm not a seasoned mechanic. I am however, the type of guy who likes to not get dead — or even close to dead. In fact, "Don't get dead or even close to dead" is my motto...or at least it could be.
So I ask instead.
Now I know this forum isn't a beginners class on mechanics, and it's every single persons own responsibility to work on their vehicle safely. But the bookshelf inside my brain that is labeled "How To Work Under A Truck Without Getting Mashed" is mostly empty. And I see a lot of people show up here (myself included) in the same predicament. We want to work on our 4runners and we are in search of any knowledge that pertains to this — including basic safety.
I've noticed that this forum seems to have a lot of people who pay close attention to detail and who admire quality over all else. People like that usually have a good eye for safety too.
So any and all thoughts or personal experiences on this subject are appreciated.
Perhaps it's the general sense of quality and craftsmanship that went into these trucks at the factory. Or maybe the timeless good-looks that many modern trucks simply can't match. For me, it's both that make this older truck a real keeper.
No matter our motivations, there are plenty of people wanting to get in there with grungy hands to dig around amidst a 4runners rust and grease covered metallic guts. Absently smiling in anticipation of wielding hand tools like a surgeons bloody scalpel while wrenching out the cancerous decay caused by time, elements and neglect.
Ah...but anyways...
Before this happens, there are plenty of people who really have little or no experience working on or under a vehicle (myself included).
And this brought me to the realization that before I do anything more serious than brakes, I need to learn about working on and more specifically under a truck safely.
Here's what I know — I know the basics:
- Trucks are heavy
- Fixing trucks often requires laying underneath them
- Gravity is a real B***h sometimes
- Being dead sucks
So the topic of how to safely work under a truck doesn't seem to come up too often. Presumably because much of it is common sense.
But surely there must be some great advice based upon actual experience on how to safely work under a truck without sqashing yourself. Common sense is great; book knowledge is great too, but there is no substitute for lessons learned from experience.
So I ask, what dangerous experiences have you had under a truck in the past? What caused it and how could it have been avoided?
What kind of jack stands are good? Not necessarily what brand, but what type to look for.
What kind of Jack stand weight rating is appropriate for 4runners? I know 4runners are just under 4k stock; is a 2 ton jack cutting it too close?
Should we use more than two whenever possible?
Are wheel chocks a smart idea all the time no matter ramp or jack?
Are ramps better, or more appropriate in certain situations when the wheels are still on the truck?
Where are the safest places to put the jack stands?
Are there certain "never-do's" while working under a vehicle; lying directly under an axle for instance?
What are some safeguards that novices could/should always do before wrenching underneath a vehicle?
These are the types of questions that I think may be obvious to seasoned mechanics, but I'm not a seasoned mechanic. I am however, the type of guy who likes to not get dead — or even close to dead. In fact, "Don't get dead or even close to dead" is my motto...or at least it could be.
So I ask instead.
Now I know this forum isn't a beginners class on mechanics, and it's every single persons own responsibility to work on their vehicle safely. But the bookshelf inside my brain that is labeled "How To Work Under A Truck Without Getting Mashed" is mostly empty. And I see a lot of people show up here (myself included) in the same predicament. We want to work on our 4runners and we are in search of any knowledge that pertains to this — including basic safety.
I've noticed that this forum seems to have a lot of people who pay close attention to detail and who admire quality over all else. People like that usually have a good eye for safety too.
So any and all thoughts or personal experiences on this subject are appreciated.
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