extending jack stands?

85broncduece · Nov 21, 2012

i have a set of 6 ton jack stands. My stands are coming up a little short(12 inches). My plan is to stack 2x4s nailed together in a square with 2 peices stacked this way= and the next layer oposite till I get enuff height to support my truck. Is there a better way to do this? :icon_confused:

t0x1k · Nov 21, 2012

Buy bigger stands. I would never trust anything set under the stands. too much of a risk of it compressing the wood and splitting. I would use large patio blocks if anything.

85broncduece · Nov 21, 2012

yeah that was my first thought but cant find stands taller than what I have. I was thinking mobile home stands. oh wait their called "modular homes now. But dont know where to locate them. I could allways go down to the local mobile home park n "borrow" a set from under some ones house lol...not really. im gonna see if theres a dealership in the area i can purchase a set.

PanamaExpat · Nov 21, 2012

Find some 4X4s and cut them in pieces about 4 inches longer than the base of your jack stands and set up some cribbing. I have lifted 3 story buildings using 6X6 cribbing. 4X4 should hold something as light as a pickup truck with zero problems.

--weezl-- · Nov 21, 2012

the 9 point system won't work for jackstands because they have 4 contact points on the cribbing...

how are 12 ton jackstands not big enough? the ones i bought for my f-250 barely fit under my truck with them all the way down... i think they were 12t... i'll check when i go to work, they are in the back of the truck i think

yyc_tbird_sc · Nov 21, 2012

Use the 2x4's, just be sure that they are laid flat, not up on the side. Be sure that they are secured to each other for safety. I suggest 2.5" wood screws as you build each layer. Be sure that the contact points of the jack stands are on the points of wood that overlap. If you can, secure the jackstands to the wood cribbing...this can be as easy as some All-Round" plumbing strapping.

Cribbing like this has been used for many many years. Be sure that it is stable and not rocking on an uneven edge. I've crawled under vehicles stabilized by cribbing like this, houses, trenches, and a building once (gotta love SAR exercises).

scooter · Nov 21, 2012

Meh, screw the haters. I built my big heavy rig on jackstands with wooden jackstand extenders

It worked and i still use them to this day.......

Landscape timbers and 2X4's. I NEVER had any trouble with them.

shane96ranger · Nov 21, 2012

I have the HF 3 ton stands. I had the same issue on my F150. I can tell you that putting the stand on top of a cinder brick topper (pretty much a patio block)
is a bad idea. As soon as it had pressure, it cracked. Luckily my jack was still under it. I am looking at getting their next size up - 6 ton, IIRC.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

Bennybooster · Nov 21, 2012

nothing wrong with cribbing...

85broncduece · Nov 21, 2012

Thanks every one.Iill make up sone "cribs" in the morning.Iim trying to suport the nose of the truck. Kinda teeter-toters when I stick the stands behind the wheels.

Andy D · Nov 21, 2012

You wanna use a pad on asphalt or dirt. I had the Rat 2 feet in the air on blocks and dunnage for cribbing. I only use cement blocks the way they are s'posed to go. Cores up. I also dont use them in contact with steel or dirt. Always have wood top and bottom.

kryptonitecb · Nov 22, 2012

Just make sure the contact points for the stands have plenty of wood around them. You want to spread the load on the wood as much as possible. Just like in the pictures above.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

shane96ranger · Nov 22, 2012

Andy D said:
dont use them in contact with steel or dirt. Always have wood top and bottom.

I can see where that would have helped my situation.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

87rangerxlt · Nov 24, 2012

buy a hoist and you will never go back!!!!!!!! just put one up and im in love pick p every thing from a car to my big f250

PanamaExpat · Nov 24, 2012

You mean like an overhead chain hoist? I put one of those in when I built my garage. Rolls back and forth on a trolly on the main I beam. Has been the handiest thing yet. Made lifting the cab and setting it off to the side on my B4000 a piece of cake.

extending jack stands?

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