floor jacks and jack stands

[fenrisx]

From the little research I did I found the gross weight of our trucks are 5,250 lbs. Which is roughly 2.6 tons overall. So, with that said.. a 2 1/2 ton jack should be plenty right?

I'm looking to lift and support my truck on the cheap. I always just use my factory bottle jack, and chuck my tire under the frame rails where I'm working to at least help somewhat if it falls on me.

I was thinking of picking these up with a $25 gift card I have for Lowe's:
Kobalt 3-ton Jack stands (http://www.lowes.com/pd_4118-20535-85009_0__?ipTrail=75.161.188.240&productId=3339224&pl=1&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce. storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4064166416%5D&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Djack%2Bstands&storeNumber=1955&Ntt=jack+stands&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowes.com%2Fpd_4118-20535-85009_0__%3FproductId%3D3339224%26Ntt%3Djack%2Bsta nds%26pl%3D1%26currentURL%3D%253FNtt%253Djack%252B stands%26facetInfo%3D%23BVRRWidgetID)

Then around Christmas time pick this up (or search for a better $50 alternative):
Kobalt 2 1/2 ton jack (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=4871-20535-85008&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3339226&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1)

I don't need anything fancy. Just something that works.

Any of you guys got any cheap alternatives that you use and would recommend?

[Seanz0rz]

Think about what you would be lifting with that jack. are you going to lift the entire vehicle? no. at most, you may lift the front which is potentially 75% of the curb weight, at worst. a 2.5 ton jack will do fine. however, you will need something like 21 inches of reach to lift the frame of our lifted vehicles. the linked jack will not do that.

the jack stands are a bit of a different story. the 3, 6 and 12 ton stands are capable of their ratings for sure. the biggest difference for us however is their reach. I have to max out my 6 ton stands to reach the frame to remove the tires on the front. on the rear i have so much travel i have to support the rear axle, remove tires, lower the rear axle down and lower the whole frame down on maxed out 6 ton stands. I will be buying a pair of 12 ton stands in the near future.

Harbor freight (if you have that out there) is a great place for stands. Their floor jacks have actually outlasted my craftsman by many years as well.

remember, our trucks are fairly light weight, but it's the reach we need, so keep that in mind when shopping lifting equipment.

[CJM]

Got a few pairs but my favs are my craftsman 3.5 ton or my el cheapo good year brand form wallyworld (look identical to craftsman). I also have a set of 6 ton stands from harbor freight.

As for a jack, buy at least a 3 ton or better. Sams club years ago had a michelin branded 3.5 ton jack I nabbed. Its easily as HD as some 5 ton units I have seen. Try and find a jack with a wider base, the cheaper trolley jacks work but at the cost of possibly tipping over b/c they are so narrow. http://www.harborfreight.com/floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-3-ton-heavy-duty-68048.html this is simlar to mine but mines more HD. Thats the kind Id try and find If I were you.

[4x4mike]

I've got one of the big Michelin floor jacks that were going around years ago. It's been a great jack. I also have a smaller USA made jack, forgot the name, that was at my house when we moved in. My jack stands are the large HF 6 ton model. They are plenty tall and I only use about 50% of their adjustment. Four have treated me well. Two were not enough.

[fenrisx]

Good to know fellas. It looks like most of the 2-6 ton jack stands I'm seeing typically go up to around 17'ish inches. One labeled "SUV" 3 ton went up to 20 or 21". I'll keep looking around and see what I find.

I'm using my neighbors jack stands right now..I didn't think to look to see what they were, or how high they went, but they were doing fine up front when trying to swap my coilovers. I may pick the ones I posted up tomorrow.. and then get something taller for the back of the truck when needed...along with a floor jack.

[Crinale]

for jack and stands I would not take anything less than 21". On that note, I need a new jack cuz I got rid of my old broken walmart jack when my 4runner broke down.. then I got a low profile jack for my slammed BMW that I drove for a while, but to even get my stock suspension off the ground I need a 4" block on top of the jack.