Front Jack Point

[BootyDo]

Hello,
I'm going to give a power steering flush a go soon and wanted to stand the front of the truck up freely. My wife's Civic has a front jack point just behind the front bumper that allows me to raise the car evenly and slide some jack stands under the sides, (while still be supported with the jack at the center front location). Felt pretty comfortable when turning her wheels whiling being supported. But an Explorer is a different beast. I'm a little concerned raising one side, sliding the jack stand, and then raising the other side and side while all the force is pointed to the first jack stand.

Hope that just made sense. :scratch: Point is, is there a central front jack location on our trucks?

Thanks!

 

[Rcflyer330]

I do not think there is a central lift point. I have lifted my truck every time I do an oil change by lifting one side then the other and have had no problems. From what I have read if you jack up the vehicle from a central front location you are lifting half the vehicles weight. if you do it from the one of the four corners it is around a 1/4 the weight. This is from what I have read so it may or may not be true.

I would do the one side then the other. And as always use a good wheel stop under both rear wheels if you can and if it works the apply the parking break too.

 

[4D X]

On the 97 Explorer v6 I just jack up on the frame in center of truck. Then put jack stands on the two Hooks that I be;live are there for towing purposes. They are right there to the left and right of center frame. They can sit in the curve of the jack stands.

 

[BootyDo]

Thanks! And just like you mentioned 4D, my wife's Civic has a central jack point right by the tow hooks. Dang thing even has an arrow pointing to it. But can't find anything so clear cut on the Explorer. When I do an oil change, there's just enough clearance for me to crawl underneath the truck and do everything. Can't use my creeper, but cardboard isn't so bad I guess. But Flyer, you mentioned you do the jack, jack stand, jack opposite, jack stand opposite. Where do you mount the actual jack stands - just as the jack location indicated in the manual? I have a nice set of 3 ton stands, but definitely need to invest in a set of wheel chucks.

 

[Rcflyer330]

because this is a full frame rail vehicle you can jack the car from almost anywhere along the frame but I put the jack stands where the jack point is and place the jack a little further towards the back.

When you look under your car from the side there is a welded plate with bolts in it (its near the front jack point) right behind the plate is where I put my stands (it makes lining up the stands easy).also I set my stands to the same height before I put them under the car.

I will try to get you some pictures of that point on Tuesday and post them here. I would do it tomorrow but my flight to Michigan got canceled and I am stuck in Florida for another day.

 

[BootyDo]

Thanks Flyer - really appreciate it!

 

[Rcflyer330]

The red area is where I usually put the jack the blue area is where I put the stand. I usually use the green circled bolt as a reference position because they are on both sides and it makes it easy to line up the other stand.

 

[BootyDo]

Thank you Flyer!!! I have two sets of stands, (a 2 ton set and 3 ton set), I'll throw under there. Still, i think I'll have to shell out for some nice rubber chucks since I plan to do this on a smooth garage floor. This is awesome though - thank you very much! And side thought...snow?!?!?!