Jack stands and storage options

I don't own any automotive tools, so I'm starting from scratch. I'm looking to pick up a pair of jack stands so I can handle minor maintenance like changing brake pads. From what I've read, 6 ton stands are the way to go since they reach high enough to support trucks with a 3 inch lift.

I'd like to permanently store these stands in the bed, since I want to be able to perform maintenance on my vehicle even if I'm on a travel assignment for work. Since the bed is where I'm keeping all my fluids and tools, it makes sense to keep other maintenance-related items back there. I'm worried that a couple large unsecured hunks of metal will become a missile hazard if I get into a wreck, so I'd like to have a way to secure them to the truck itself.

Here's where it gets tricky: I have a tonneau cover, which limits my vertical clearance to ~18 inches. If I'm going to store them vertically, the stands will need to have a folding base so I can stuff them between the wheel well and header rail (DCLB) to minimize loss of storage space. I'm buying a DuHa Humpstor to mount on my header rail, reducing the available footprint to something like 10x8 inches.

What are my options? I'm happy for any input you guys can provide.

 

You will at least want 6 ton jack stands. I cant recall how tall but I do not think they are taller than 17 inches. I picked up the Big Red ones off Amazon or Ebay. Has a locking pin they have been working solid. Just shy away from the Harbor Freight ones anytime soon or ever.

 

Yep, looks like standard 6 ton jack stands will fit under the tonneau vertically. My concern is their footprint, especially once I get the DuHa Humpstor modded and installed on the header rail. I won't be able to fit anything with a large footprint between the wheel well and front of the bed with an extra ~11 inches taken up by a bed rail-mounted case.

Even if the jack stands have a sufficiently small footprint, I'd like to figure out a way to secure them to the truck so they don't go flying in a collision.

 

Add the Dodge Sprinter D-Rings beneath your bed bolts? Just did these recently and they really come in handy. You could ratchet strap the jack stands directly to them

 

Yep, I've got those hooked up. I ended up using cheap-o generic D-rings, but it's the same end result. I wonder if there's a way to directly bolt the jack stands to the lowered bed rails on the side. I'll have to figure that one out with a bit of hands-on, I imagine.

Does anyone know of any reputable folding jack stands, or is that not a thing?

 

Go with 6 ton Jacks. Throw a barbell and some weights in the back and you can convert the jacks into an adjustable weight stand for on the go workouts. I put mine to good use for home workouts.

 

That’s what I used in the garage for a few years as well

 

$55 Pro-Lift Heavy Duty 6 Ton Jack Stands Pair - Double Locking Pins - Handle Lock and Mobility Pin for Auto Repair Shop with Extra Safety

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074R17GL4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Integrated, double-locking mechanism.

 

ha good idea

 

Maybe a heavy duty plastic bin with other misc items along in there. Just strap it down in a corner.

 

I totally forgot about this thread. Posting my setup so others can use it as a reference.

I ended up going with a WeatherGuard Super Lo-Side toolbox for additional storage space. Only available in white, so I rattle-canned it black.

I bolted some D-rings to the toolbox, then rigged 1/4” bungee cord to the D-rings. Perfect storage for my jack stands and 2 pairs of wheel chocks.