Using the stock jack when replacing a flat tire. Holy hell that was terrifying.

I used the bottle jack to replace the front brake pads on mine https://media.giphy.com/media/O42cX7sn8XfuU/giphy.gif

 

I've owned close to 30 vehicles in my long time on this planet, and I've never seen a worse diagram for jack placement.
If you held a gun to my head and told me to put the factory jack in the correct location at the front of the vehicle, I couldn't do it.
I've been under there three times, and I still don't see a good spot based on Toyota's diagram. I'd rather use the LCA. The rear is a no-brainer.

 

Great for corrosion protection??? You do know you're driving a Tacoma right?

 

They ain't powder coated lol.

 

Our jack are almost identical to the 4runner jack but the one I bought has a wider cylinder to fit the safe jack extension. It was from a 96-02 4runner but other years may work.

 

I carry a small block of 2"x6" wood to throw under the jack. Big improvement!

 

when i got the truck home and went thru the manuals, i printed that page and put it with the jack. i also have a key taped to the jack handle to open the lock in the spare tire chain.
the lock has tape over the keyhole to keep dirt out. not only can i figure out how to jack it up, i am sure the spare will be there

 

Best tool I've seen for lifting your truck



Be safe!
Cheers!

 

There’s a conical nub at the front and center of the Tacoma that is a jack point.

 

If you want to lift the entire front end (and weight of the engine) off the ground.

Not necessary for tire changes.

 

I've used my 10 year old OEM bottle jack to change tires, shock absorbers, and front struts. It is 100% capable of doing anything.

 

Pointing it out that’s it’s there. What you do with it is your business

 

I knew you were on the way to fix my shit.

Edit: you only used it for the strut install, I've done the other 2.

 

I could never find a bottle jack that I could get under the frame or axle when the wheel was sitting on the ground. (Flat) Unless you want to use a 20 ton bottle jack.

Would buy this jack if I knew I could get it under the frame or axle with the wheel sitting on the ground.

$64 Powerbuilt 2 Ton UniJack Combination Hydraulic Bottle Jack / Jackstand in 1 Unit, Compact, Portable, Wide Base, for Unibody Sedans, CUVs, SUVs, Cars, - 620470

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJJZ5Y...olid=37S7Q81SMUM6W&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Winner.

Look up safe jack accessories and get the 4Runner jack that fit them. I am too lazy to lookup the link but look in the recovery sub-forum for all the info required.

I second the recommendation to not use a frame point for the jack when replacing a tire.

 

It says 8-5/8 inches at retract position, so measure ground to frame then subtract the height of tire to rim add back about 2 inches because the tire will still be there taking up space and that will be a close number if the flat is on level surface. The Jack that I carry 2 of and have worked out very good in many situations is the Land Rover Bottle Jack and I also carry 2 small 1 inch thick X 8 inch X 12 inch hardwood board for soft dirt times.

 

Thanks for the info. Looking at those jacks on Ebay right now.

 

If you ask me the stock jack is great, but I use the axle and control arms as jacking points. If you're replacing it, don't buy anything with a cast iron base. Easily broken on uneven surfaces.

 

I keep a race jack in my truck to avoid this very thing.

 

I had to change my tire twice in a month and had a similar experience as you. I was going to post a reply bitching about the jack as well but after reading a few posts I guess Im just an idiot, and was using it wrong. The things you learn on TW... I now have a VAIR air compressor and a breaker bar. Im gonna nascar the next flat​