Height requirement for a floor jack.

[20bucks]

what kind of height would i need to get under my stock 98 explorer xlt on 15 in rims.i just want to do oil changes and brake jobs on this jack and want to know that the jack ill but will lift it up sufficently.any brand suggestions

 

[Verno]

Any brand will work, it is the rated load you need to look at. Although a 3 ton will lift it, a 5 ton or larger will lift it easier. It is in the size of the piston and fluid pressure that do the actual lifting, so a smaller piston will struggle more to lift your truck. Make sure yo have decent locking jack stands, or a minimum of ramps and wheel chocks. NEVER depend upon a jack to suspend a vehicle while you are underneath it!

 

[marragtop]

Also, make sure you get a decent sized cradle and footprint (distance between wheels) on the jack. Remember, these are 'trucks' not compacts.

 

[ExploringNC]

If your just needing to change oil ramps would be better. If you buy a jack then you have to have jack stands as well which you can buy in a set if thats the way you want to go. NEVER GET UNDER ANY VEHICLE THAT IS ON A JACK. You may think its save because the tires are still on it but if it falls of the jack when it comes down it will compress down which could be enough to give you a big headace.

 

[IZwack]

THe blue Michelin Jack - one of the best ever.

I got mine from I think Sam's Club. But its got a tall reach and rapid pump (two pumps and its up to whatever your trying to lift). If you need more, info, do a Google search for it because its discussed every now and then especially in off-road/truck forums. It is a little on the heavy side so go with an aluminum jack if you dont like the weight.

 

[gijoecam]

THe blue Michelin Jack - one of the best ever.

I got mine from I think Sam's Club. But its got a tall reach and rapid pump (two pumps and its up to whatever your trying to lift). If you need more, info, do a Google search for it because its discussed every now and then especially in off-road/truck forums. It is a little on the heavy side so go with an aluminum jack if you dont like the weight.

I had a Craftsman similar to that... yes, in 2 pumps, it made contact with the frame... But it took another 137 pumps to lift the vehicle the 6" it needs to get the wheels off the ground. No time savings there.

The one I have now came from harbor Freight. IIRC, it's like 8 pumps for full stroke, but it's FAST! I like that WAY better than the 1-pump-up jacks...

-Joe

 

[BubbaFL]

You probably don't need one

I'm a pretty big guy, and I don't have a problem getting under the truck on a creeper to do oil changes without jacking it up.

 

[gijoecam]

I'm a pretty big guy, and I don't have a problem getting under the truck on a creeper to do oil changes without jacking it up.

But how's he gonna rotate the tires without a jack and stands? If you can figure out how to do THAT without a jack, more power to ya!!

 

[BubbaFL]

But how's he gonna rotate the tires without a jack and stands? If you can figure out how to do THAT without a jack, more power to ya!!

That's easy, just push it up on two wheels like this:

Next time I'll read a little closer!

 

[joshuaj0214]

You guys laugh..... I have actually seen this in person! I was driving down a side street one day and a guy was under a nissan maxima supported the same way!!! 5 feet from him another car was on its roof and someone was going to town with a saws all!

Darwin Awards anyone.....

 

[marragtop]

Very cool Pic!!

 

[eXcali]

That's easy, just push it up on two wheels like this:

Next time I'll read a little closer!

I've seen people do crazy crap like that while I was in Iraq. Atleast this guy was using 4x4's, I have seen something similar with the guy working have a couple small boys balancing the truck by hand like that. Or even the rear bumper of those Bongo trucks sitting on a chair while they changed the tires....

As for the jacks, if you find a high lifting 2ton you should be good for oil changes. I have a 2 ton that lifts 18 inches and I just pop up one side at a time, then slap in 3 ton jack stands. The only time it has problems is in the last 2-3 inches of travel lifting the entire side of the vehicle. It takes about 10 pumps to get to the frame, but then each pump takes you up about 2-4 inches. I used to have a 10 ton snap-on floor jack, but there was little to no way you would want to lug that around. It weighed about 80lbs.