Would you consider this a safe jack position.

[Sid Daley]

Don't like the factory jackpoints as you can only do a side at a time and then can't use the points with jackstands.

Part of the reason I ask is I put a small indent in the crossmember with a bottlejack before I invested in the 3 ton floor jack.

Sid

 

[Hokie]

Hell... i do that all the time... works great, its faster than doing each side

 

[TarHeel085]

Originally posted by Hokie
Hell... i do that all the time... works great, its faster than doing each side

same here, i do that EVERY time i do something to the front end. that thing supports a LOT of weight from the truck so im sure its plenty strong.

 

[Yomie]

thats weird, i don't have that crossmember on my '97


But when i did, i used that location also

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

Originally posted by Sid Daley
Don't like the factory jackpoints as you can only do a side at a time and then can't use the points with jackstands.

that's what i do also

 

[Foo]

Yup, I do it...

 

[Blee1099]

Yeah it works.. I do it all the time when I have to get my big butt under the truck to change the oil..

 

[mosinman]

jacking point

Now I know you guys have done this with success. But I will repeat what a Ford mechanic and others have told me. You are not supposed to use the cross member as a jacking point. The way the crossmember is designed and stressed, it will not reliably support the weight of the vehicle with a jack placed underneath its center point. It is designed to be strong at the ends where the control arms attatch. I even saw a picture posted of a bent one and a damaged power sterring pump.
Again, obviously you guys did it O.K. with no damage. Maybe the wood block distributed enough weight so the crossmember didn't bend? Oh well, though you might want to know.

 

[IAmTodd]

Done it all the time. Normally I'll jack it up, put jack stands underneath the lower A-arms and will let the weight down onto them. The rear, I always used the differential. Couple said that you shouldn't do it there. But I'd always done it, to many cars, and so has my dad who has worked on cars since he was my age. No problems here! Keep on jackin'(get your mind outta the gutter!! )

 

[Sid Daley]

Thanks for the feedback guys (gals?). I think distributing the load with a wood block is probably helpful. I do put jackstands under the blockpoints and relieve some load on the jack before I go under. I think it's silly that Ford didn't design in some more convenient jackpoints, but as long as no damage has been done this way I guess it's OK..

Sid

 

[X~FACTOR]

What do you guys use for the rear?

edit: nevermind- just saw IamTodd's post.

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by Blee1099
Yeah it works.. I do it all the time when I have to get my big butt under the truck to change the oil..

2" SL and 32" tires and I haven't had to use a jack to change my oil in 6 months

 

[IAmTodd]

Originally posted by Sid Daley
I think it's silly that Ford didn't design in some more convenient jackpoints

Tow hooks too! What were they thinking!? Although our Chevy isn't any different in the front with jacking.

 

[boominXplorer]

Originally posted by IAmTodd
Done it all the time. Normally I'll jack it up, put jack stands underneath the lower A-arms and will let the weight down onto them. The rear, I always used the differential. Couple said that you shouldn't do it there. But I'd always done it, to many cars, and so has my dad who has worked on cars since he was my age. No problems here! Keep on jackin'(get your mind outta the gutter!! )

Same here lol