How to pick the right jack+stands

[Crispy]

I always over buy when it comes to that stuff. I also work on dirt and grass so I have an assortment of wood blocks, boards and cribbing. I have a set of those triangular base jack stands that I wouldnt stand on myself but its on to set light stuff on, imo.

 

[4WDKC]

Unless your jack wont go high enough on the bigger stands its not a bad thing to have heavier than you needs stands. The one thing I do is check out the bottom of the base to see if it has a pad to help distribute the weight or if its just the end of the metal being used. Because without the pad the stands are more likely to sink into the asphalt/ground with lighter vehicles you dont notice this to much but with heavy trucks or soft ground and enough movement it may make the vehicle fall.

 

[Backfoot100]

One thing I'm anal about....once the vehicle is supported on the jack stands I grab hold of any part of the vehicle that is solid and shake the **** out of it. Usually the top of the fender with hood open. I mean I literally try and pull it off the stands.
If I can move it even the slightest little bit at all I take it down and reposition the stands until its rock solid.

 

[bucket]

I have a pair of the tube type stands, my dad had bought them in the 70's. They were used to hold up his Caprice all through the 80's, along with lighter weight cars. Then I was always using them to hold up my Impala, even in the sloped driveway. I later realized how stupid that was to use them on the slope, but they never moved or wiggled.

My newer type stands seem more unstable to me, unless they are adjusted all the way down. They all seem to have a fair amount of freeplay where the top slides into the base.

 

[Nonstop]

You are going to be under the truck. What do you feel comfortable with? For home use, I have a set of 6 ton stands for the truck and smaller 3 ton for the cars. At work, I have a 10 ton jack and stands. They can be a pain in the ass to move off site, but I want to be prepared and not just hope my equipment is heavy enough. When I am under a vehicle, I use stands, chocks, and leave the jack under there as well with a little pressure on it as an extra safety precaution.

 

[Old77]

The bigger the better for the big trucks IMO When I had my 3/4 ton burb I used 6 ton jack stands. I use them for my dually, too, but am thinking about upgrading them to go even more heavy duty. I'd rather have overkill on capacity of a jack stand than have the truck land on me LOL On the 1/2 ton stuff or cars I've never had an issue with a 3 ton jack stand.

 

[ScottyB]

Funny thing about jack stands. When I was towing I didn't get any formal training until I was almost a year in. During that training they were adamant that anytime you had a vehicle in the air, even if just to change a tire, you needed to have jack stands under it. I get the logic of it and it makes sense from a safety point of view, but I have yet to see a local tow truck with a set of back stands on board.

 

[shiftpro]

Just stack up some cinder blocks and get on with your day!

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

 

[rt66paul]

Hell, cinder blocks hold up many of our houses - it should be good 'nuff for yer truck.....

 

[ridenby]

I have 2 ton,6ton, and 10 ton stands. Think the jack is 4 ton. I do know that HF does not carry it anymore. I really like the large jack stands.
Sunex 1310 10-Ton Medium Height Pin Type Jack Stands, Pair

 

[thecantaloupeman]

You are going to be under the truck. What do you feel comfortable with? For home use, I have a set of 6 ton stands for the truck and smaller 3 ton for the cars. At work, I have a 10 ton jack and stands. They can be a pain in the ass to move off site, but I want to be prepared and not just hope my equipment is heavy enough. When I am under a vehicle, I use stands, chocks, and leave the jack under there as well with a little pressure on it as an extra safety precaution.

Is there any particularly cheap good 6 ton jack stands you recommend?

 

[Camar068]

just get the cheap ones to start with. You'll get bigger and better ones once you get plenty of use out of the first set.

 

[Nonstop]

Is there any particularly cheap good 6 ton jack stands you recommend?

I think I got mine years ago from Napa. I am definitely cheap (and am rather proud of it), BUT I actually do not cheap out on jacks and stands. I figure I am depending on these while laying under a car or truck, so I buy quality on these. I would recommend the same for anyone.

 

[CSFJ]

I think I got mine years ago from Napa. I am definitely cheap (and am rather proud of it), BUT I actually do not cheap out on jacks and stands. I figure I am depending on these while laying under a car or truck, so I buy quality on these. I would recommend the same for anyone.

Had almost the identical thought. Couldn't agree more.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I just got a set of 6ton pro-lift stands from Amazon for cheap, and I'm actually surprised at the quality for $40.
They're way better than the crappy Craftsman stands I've been using for years. Much heavier, better welds, and they have pins.