How to jack truck up ?

[Ghost10]

I’m going to be using four jack stands to get all four wheels off ground to do some work and would like to know the safest way ? I will also be using a hand tool to remove nuts off wheels and removing them.

 

[iamdub]

Rear: As close to/under the spring pads on the axle as possible.
Front: I put 'em under the control arm, nearest the ball joints.

 

[Rocket Man]

I jack one side up at a time, jack in the center of the frame. Then jack stands at both ends of the frame rails. Rear stands go in front of the rear control arms usually. Front stands as far forward on the frame as possible.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

The work you're trying to do has an impact here, too. Dubs way will keep the suspension loaded. Marks way will let it droop.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you are removing the wheels by hand, without a power tool, while tires are on ground, break all lug nuts loose. The position of the stands, like @HiHoeSilver said, depends on what you are trying to do either with brakes, steering, suspension or just clearance so you can work on the powertrain. Maximum rear height can be attained by jacking under the rear diff housing. Jacking under the lower control arms, near the lower ball joints, attains maximum height for the front. Rear diff jacking allows the whole rear end to lift evenly on both sides. Jacking at the lower control arms tilts the rig side to side and can lead to a slippage off the jack stand, so it is likely more safe to do that jacking in increments.

 

[Rocket Man]

The work you're trying to do has an impact here, too. Dubs way will keep the suspension loaded. Marks way will let it droop.

I like to let my junk hang.

 

[Ghost10]

I like to let my junk hang.

I'd prefer the frame I too want the wheels to hang
I'm painting calipers and gutting third cat!

 

[iamdub]

The work you're trying to do has an impact here, too. Dubs way will keep the suspension loaded. Marks way will let it droop.

Yes. Important point. It depends on what you're trying to do. If I'm not using my lift, I want it as high as possible with the floor jack and jack stands and raising and supporting it by the suspension does this. If I need the suspension unloaded, I'd lift and support it the way Mark mentioned.

 

[Rocket Man]

Yes. Important point. It depends on what you're trying to do. If I'm not using my lift, I want it as high as possible with the floor jack and jack stands and raising and supporting it by the suspension does this. If I need the suspension unloaded, I'd lift and support it the way Mark mentioned.

I can get mine as high as my tall jack stands will go which is as high as I’ve ever needed it, even to install my trans 3 times, by jacking the frame so I guess it depends on your floor jack. Mine is a high lift HF model, not sure what it’s lift height is. But I need to do that in 2 steps otherwise the jack stands get all jacked sideways lol. I’ll jack one side halfway, put 2 stands under at half height, jack the other side and do the same, then repeat. At that point the frame is about 24” off the ground.

 

[iamdub]

I can get mine as high as my tall jack stands will go which is as high as I’ve ever needed it, even to install my trans 3 times, by jacking the frame so I guess it depends on your floor jack. Mine is a high lift HF model, not sure what it’s lift height is. But I need to do that in 2 steps otherwise the jack stands get all jacked sideways lol. I’ll jack one side halfway, put 2 stands under at half height, jack the other side and do the same, then repeat. At that point the frame is about 24” off the ground.

Definitely depends on the jack. We probably have similar jacks. Mine's the long-reach, low-profile model. Also, our trucks are lowered and the axles are at about the same level as the frame. So it'd pick it up about the same amount supporting by frame or axle. Stock height, a Z71 or lifted might max out a jack before the tires get off the ground.