View Full Version : Jack stands
MIJeep
12-01-2008, 09:30 PM
I've been shopping around for jack stands for awhile now and I've noticed that in order to get a jack stand that will extend high enough to put under the frame of the jeep I have to buy a 12 ton stand. I can't seem to find anything in between a 3 or 4 ton stand that extends 17 inches and the 12 ton which extends 38 inches Is this normal or am I not looking in the right places?
jphrse
12-01-2008, 10:04 PM
Have you looked at Northern tool they have some 6 ton that go to almost 24"
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200304821_200304821
kwrangln
12-01-2008, 10:12 PM
Got access to a welder? Jackstands are easy and fairly cheap to make.
DrLewall
12-01-2008, 10:19 PM
so when is enrollment to the Kwranglin School of awesome welding going to start? I can bunk in the shop! :thumbsup:
kwrangln
12-01-2008, 10:31 PM
so when is enrollment to the Kwranglin School of awesome welding going to start? I can bunk in the shop! :thumbsup:
Tis a kinda expensive deal, ya have to provide materials, AND keep my beer fridge filled.:eek:
Probably easier to subscribe to my magazine.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk58/kwrangln/KwranglinKweldincopy.jpg
image made by someone on the board here, I sincerely apologize, I can't remember who off of the top of my head.
Anyone who has a welder and needs some pointers on either design, techniques, or processes is always welcome to post up and I will do the best I can to help.:kwrangln:
fishnjeeps
12-02-2008, 01:13 AM
I bought the 12 ton stands at autozone for about $30.00 a pair. They work on my cherokee and I don't have to set them all the way up so they have plenty of hight to spare. May seem like overkill to have 12 ton stands but at $30.00 its not a bad deal.
Mental note: Go to autozone for taller stands.
The stands I have max out pretty quick...
I had the 6 ton stands from Harbor Freight (mistake) that did 99% of everything I ever needed them to do. Unfortunately, on my higher Broncos, they didn't extend all the way up to the frame.
The reason I said that was a mistake. I have a rule. NEVER buy anything from Harbor Freight that could potentially kill me. I thought these jack stands would be OK since they are basic materials. Well, one of them collapsed on me. Luckily, my 3 ton jack was still under the axle and I wasn't under the rig. But, after that, I don't buy ANYTHING from Harbor Freight anymore.
MIJeep
12-02-2008, 01:54 PM
I bought the 12 ton stands at autozone for about $30.00 a pair. They work on my cherokee and I don't have to set them all the way up so they have plenty of hight to spare. May seem like overkill to have 12 ton stands but at $30.00 its not a bad deal.
If they are only $30 then I would go with 12 ton but the pair I saw at Harbor Freight was $75
Jafo: Is that the only thing that's failed on you from Harbor Freight? Never heard anyone complain about most things from harbor freight, mainly personal preferences on air and power tools.
If you hadn't noticed, Harbor Freight is a store with relatively cheap tools. Unfortunately, the saying is true... you get what you pay for.
If your OK with working with low quality tools, feel free to invest heavily in HF tools. Personally, life is much too short to deal with that crap for me. ;)
fishnjeeps
12-02-2008, 03:21 PM
Mental note: Go to autozone for taller stands.
The stands I have max out pretty quick...
I probably should have mentioned that my Jeep is stock. If your's is lifted then you might max them out but they are tall. I put my XJ up quite high with them. I don't have a high lift jack so I could only go as high as my jack would go. It got it up high enough for me to work on and used the 2nd holes from the top of the stand. I'm going to autozone later today, I'll double check the price on em as I got mine a year ago and they could have raised the price.
MIJeep
12-02-2008, 09:20 PM
I'm not arguing about the fact that they sell inexpensive/cheap tools. As I said I would not buy a power tool from them, but I don't see much difference in cherry pickers, engine stands or jack stands.
Is that the only thing you've bought from them and is that the only thing you've had fail?
EMS 34 20
12-02-2008, 09:32 PM
I got a 8000lb winch from hf had it for 4 yrs never had a prob with it. I don't use it every day,but when I need it it has worked every time.
I'm not arguing about the fact that they sell inexpensive/cheap tools. As I said I would not buy a power tool from them, but I don't see much difference in cherry pickers, engine stands or jack stands.
Is that the only thing you've bought from them and is that the only thing you've had fail?
I've had 2 engine stands from them and plenty of 4.5" angle grinders. All of which (angle grinders) have long failed. But, at $20.00 a pop... not a big deal.
JeepBSU
12-02-2008, 09:59 PM
I agree with JAFO, if it can kill me, I will get it somewhere else. Was just there actually, getting some drill bits, hole saws, and some extension cords
Bada-Bing.
12-03-2008, 12:18 AM
If your stands are too short try using a block of wood between the stand and floor
kwrangln
12-03-2008, 12:41 AM
I agree with JAFO, if it can kill me, I will get it somewhere else. Was just there actually, getting some drill bits, hole saws, and some extension cords
I once ended up with 18 stitches in my hand when a cheap drill bit broke, its the little things that will get ya. Cheap tools just aint worth it, they have cost me too much blood.
MIJeep
12-03-2008, 02:30 PM
If your stands are too short try using a block of wood between the stand and floor
I had thought of that, but wasn't sure if it was the smartest idea.
JAFO: thanks for the info, always being broke does make me want to buy the cheap stuff. Knowing that you've had several things crap out on you will probably keep me away from harbor freight for important stuff.
b1pig
12-03-2008, 04:21 PM
get cinder blocks. :D:D :thumbsup:
they stack nicely
http://curbed.com/uploads/2007_12_Bay%20Ride%20on%20Blocks.jpg
or you can use 6x6
http://bp1.blogger.com/_ld7ENQKEocY/R_o9Ygc_8_I/AAAAAAAACvA/zqDRUvWwFz8/s400/DSCN3534.JPG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFp-20Bb-VQ
Jason Clark
12-03-2008, 10:33 PM
get cinder blocks. :D:D :thumbsup:
they stack nicely
Ahhh...you may laugh, but I have used railroad ties many times before like the guy in the red car has.
fishnjeeps
12-04-2008, 02:53 PM
OK, I went to autozone yesterday and I realized My stands were 5 ton stands not 12 sorry. They did have a set of 7 ton stands for $45 they reach just under 25" in hight. Hope it helps.
MIJeep
12-04-2008, 05:47 PM
5 ton would be fine if they extend high enough but that sounds like a good price for the 7 ton jacks. I'll probably get them from autozone unless JAFO has a problem with Autozone too :) jk
b1pig
12-04-2008, 08:34 PM
in all seriousness..... the best jack stands for the height have a good spread on the leggs to remain steady. i used a cheap set at a friends house that nearly fell because they weren't wide enough.
MIJeep
12-04-2008, 09:42 PM
yeah, I was nervous when doing my lift with a buddy's stands. Everytime we started to get rough on a rusted bolt the whole jeep started rocking on the stands.
DrLewall
08-11-2011, 07:05 AM
this thread is almost 3 yrs old..am sure he has it figgr'd by now..:D
tinknocker
08-11-2011, 07:46 AM
4" solid bricks are cheap and adjustable!!! set your short stands on them!!!
tinknocker
08-11-2011, 07:47 AM
this thread is almost 3 yrs old..am sure he has it figgr'd by now..:D
rotf dumbass!!!! should a read the last page!!!
fishnjeeps
08-12-2011, 01:56 PM
in all seriousness..... the best jack stands for the height have a good spread on the leggs to remain steady. i used a cheap set at a friends house that nearly fell because they weren't wide enough.
Well, since it's been brought back from the dead anyway,
That's what she said!....:D