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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
2ton jack is more than enuff. I've used my 2 ton floor jack and only recently bought a new 2 1/2 because it gave me 6 inches more of lifting due to the design.
I agree, you can never have to many jack stands, atleast I tell my wife this. I think I own about 20 jack stands, 8 here in Illinois, and 12 in my parents garage in Indy. 2 ton jack stands are a MUST! Don't skimp on your jackstands. If you need some, autozone in my area is running a sale on 2 1/2 duralast floor jack and 2 2ton lever jack stands for $39.99.
Alright cool, so 2-ton should be enough? I'm saving up to buy a 3-ton but not sure if it's worth the cash at $100 a peice. Better to get 3-ton jackstands? Or 2 ton sufficient as well since I'll have the stands under almost everytime I use the jack.
you gotta figure most times your using the jack stands you will be using 2, so your set for up to 4 tons, and if your explorer weighs more than 8k pounds you might want to unload the hippos from the back. The GVW of a 2003 explorer is 5880 lbs
Alright cool, so 2-ton should be enough? I'm saving up to buy a 3-ton but not sure if it's worth the cash at $100 a peice. Better to get 3-ton jackstands? Or 2 ton sufficient as well since I'll have the stands under almost everytime I use the jack.
In my opinion 3 ton jackstands are a minimum for an SUV. They also have wider supports. Don't forget wheel chocks too! You can probably get away with the two ton jack, I have a 2.5 T.
I suggest you have a backup support to be 100% safe. I always keep the jack and a tire under the frame as backup to the jackstands. If you have another set of stands that will be good too, can't be too safe working under these things, ain't pretty when it falls.
In my opinion 3 ton jackstands are a minimum for an SUV. They also have wider supports. Don't forget wheel chocks too!
I suggest you have a backup support to be 100% safe. I always keep the jack and a tire under the frame as backup to the jackstands. If you have another set of stands that will be good too, can't be too safe working under these things, ain't pretty when it falls.
You can probably use blocks or wedges. If you lift the rear, the front tires are usually free to turn and can allow the truck to move as you jack it. In the worst case it could fall off the jack, especially if there is any incline. Also, if you plan on disconnecting driveshafts, etc..you get the idea..
Also keep in mind engineering standards are 150% max weight = breaking point. So a 2 ton jack stand should be able to hold 3 tons before failure. Not that I'd test it but two 2ton jack stands will hold half the vehicle weight easily.
I once broke the ear off of a jackstand when doing the SAS. The axle came down kinda hard on it and BAM! one of the ears of the "U" at the top of the jackstand snapped right off cauz it was casted metal and the axle slid off (scary). Fortunately no damage or injury but for this reason, when supporting a vehicle for a long time, I try not to use a store bought jackstand but rather fab up something that doesnt have a casted part.
No need to invest in wheel chocks, bricks, big rocks, anything like that would work fine. You just want something to wedge under there. Part of the benefit of heavier rated jack stands is that they're usually taller which can be important on a truck or suv.
