Good jack-stand recommendations?

[j5689]

Couldn't find a better place to put this thread or I would've

I'm obviously going to need a real one or several for the stuff I plan to do with my car.


If possible:
I want one(s) that works good on a non flat surface, as I will probably be doing most of my work in my driveway, and also small and convenient to store, there's not much room in my garage to store it because my mom parks her car in there.

Also should be easy to use if they're not usually because I've never used one before

[SVT98t]

Rhino ramps?

-ryan s.

[rick99601]

be careful mang

[1987cp]

I saw a neat Instructables or something where a guy made his own nonadjustable jackstands out of some 3.5" tubing he got cheap from a scrapyard. He made his stands with three legs so they'll still sit nicely on uneven surfaces, and cut them to a height he found convenient.

Ramps work good so long as you're careful, but not a lot of options in terms of height, and I've had traction problems (both tire-to-ramp and ramp-to-pavement) that made getting on them aggravating at times. Don't lose the little rubber blocks that like to jump out and fall into a black hole.

Normal 3-ton stands are pretty much the minimum in terms of stability and max height, and they can be had cheap if you don't just run out to the place most likely to overcharge you and buy the first set you see. Lighter-duty stands like 1.5 or 2 ton quickly get frustrating just because they won't go very high. I'm currently working on how to acquire some 6-ton stands for cheap, not because I have any need for the weight capacity, but because they go higher and have broader bases. 12-ton truck stands go really high, but cost a lot and you might have trouble getting the car high enough with a normal floor jack.

Also, I've noticed that 4x4 forums seem to have periodic discussions on innovative homemade jackstand solutions, such as the various guys at Pirate4x4 or whatever it is who've used 1" ACME threaded rod to create micro-adjustable stands that can be used to level the vehicle once it's in the air. Other guys bought regular 3-ton stands and welded extensions to the bases, and some bought tall adjustable stands normally used by pipefitters. Interesting stuff.

[Lincolnmania]

i like 6 ton stands because they have a larger base......if you ever set a panther up high on four three ton stands you see what i mean

be very carefull on an unlevel surface......is it paved?
if not paved, put some thick steel plate under the stands so they dont sink into the ground and fall over

[1987cp]

i like 6 ton stands because they have a larger base......if you ever set a panther up high on four three ton stands you see what i mean

be very carefull on an unlevel surface......is it paved?
if not paved, put some thick steel plate under the stands so they dont sink into the ground and fall over

Yes, quite scary with 3-ton stands at max height.

Can't forget the possibility of sinking into asphalt, either. Asphalt is teh suck, especially if fuel and stuff start dissolving the tar and making it penetrate into your clothes.

[gadget73]

with asphalt you can get away with a chunk of plywood to keep the stand from sinking in though. You can actually use that on dirt, just need about a 2x2 square of something thick. 3/4" or thicker ideally.

[86VickyLX]

Couldn't find a better place to put this thread or I would've

I'm obviously going to need a real one or several for the stuff I plan to do with my car.


If possible:
I want one(s) that works good on a non flat surface, as I will probably be doing most of my work in my driveway, and also small and convenient to store, there's not much room in my garage to store it because my mom parks her car in there.

Also should be easy to use if they're not usually because I've never used one before

No such thing as one that works on a non flat surface, I've used plywood under them to keep them from sinking. (Stone and dirt driveway at home)
Jackstands are easy to use.
Also, the higher the ton-age, the wider the base. So just some food for thought when you're going searching for stands.

[Peter]

Not sure what your budget is, but......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norco...motiveQ5fTools

[1987cp]

Max height 15-1/2 inches? Why would he want to spend $200 on a set of stands that are no taller than 1.5 ton stands that go for $15 a pair?

The 6-ton stands Scott and I are referring to are under $100 for a set of four:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-j...set-38847.html
http://www.tractorsupply.com/vehicle...-stand-1161621
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web..._T|GRP2042____

I'm thinking on ordering the ones from Advance because I have a $20 discount code and shipping on an $80 order is free .....

[Piece-it pete]

Big heavy jack stands FTW!

I don't think I have the balls to crawl under a car on stands I made myself.

Pete

[gadget73]

I have a set of 3 tons, and they're barely tall enough to be useful. They also don't feel me with warm fuzzy feelings on that 6x6" base they have. The 6 tons with the 12x12 base are a lot less scary and much more useful.

[P72Ford]

My dad has a ton of jack stands. Everything from small ones (3 ton), right up to 20 ton pieces.

Some go really high, which is nice for when you want to get the whole car up in the air.

There are no brands on any of them, though. Generally, I can look at something and know whether it;d be acceptable for me to use or not.

[pantera77]

Logs.

[Jon]

Logs.

I second this. Especially on dirt mud and gravel. I have a bunch of 2.5ft wide 1 ft thick pine slabs that i slide under my cars. I got the front end of my tercel wagon on two right now. Pulled the transmission out without a single worry. With my 78 LTD on those slabs, it doesnt move around either and when i switched out the gas tank, I made sure to have those slabs cause normal jackstands, scared me.

Railroad ties are also good. But very heavy. The beauty of those slabs I have, they weigh 250#s each easily. So weight this winter wasnt in short supply.

Heres a vid showing one of the slabs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tTpl99Ti6s