Jack Stand Size

TW,

I have decided to start doing my own basic maintenance on my truck (2019 TRD-Off Road). I went out and got a 3 ton jack and a pair of 3 ton jack stands. My truck is stock height and I don’t plan on lifting it. Are the 3 ton jack stands enough or should have I went with 6 tons? I keep seeing a lot of folks mentioning 6 ton due to the extra height?

Thanks.

 

3 ton is all you need if you put them on some solid wood blocks. I use ramps for my truck.

When I change my wife's wheels, I just do the front end separate from the back end because I only have two stands. Still takes me less than 45min to do a winter swap.

 

3 ton stands are fine for basic maintenance.
I did lift a truck n the garage with 3 ton stands.

 

I would go with 6 ton minimum for the truck for the extra height.

 

I bought harbor freight plastic ramps years ago when working on my tundra....those ramps are awesome. 3 ton jack stands are pretty much standard, and work fine.

 

Jack stands are usually rated in pairs 3 tons is 6k lbs. Your whole truck weighs 4500. 3 tons supporting 1 axle so about 2250 lbs (if 50 / 50 split) even if not 50/50 you still have a huge safety factor.

Its fine

* even with the safety factor i still have my jack underneath acting in support of the jack stands and wheels chalked. Being crushed under a car is not something i want to experience.

 

I like the extra height of the 6 tons. But Im lifted, with bigger than stock tires. The 6 tons also have a slightly wider footprint. But if 3 tons are tall enough I would go with what you have.

 

If I'm rotating tires I do 6 ton stands on the front rails, 3 ton stands on the rear axle. Its possible to have 3s on all four corners - its just not convenient. If you start with a set of 3s, thats fine. I have four 3-tonners and they're great to have for other vehicles or projects. You can never have enough stands anyway.

 

Curious, why do you need an extra height for a stock truck basic maintenance?
Engine, tranny, diff drains are accessible without lifting .
I only use jack and stand to rotate tires and take a wheel for brake cleaning/inspection.

 

my huge gut prevents me from conveniently sliding under the truck on a creeper

 

I think if your head is under something, you WONT experience it. Coroner would though.

 

I use this creeper which even when flat is higher than a regular creeper. With the back and seat raised to the first notch, it is extremely comfortable but requires extra clearance. I actually have and use 12 ton jack stands for the extra height (and so I don't have to raise them to their maximum extension).

https://www.whitesidemfg.com/product/mtl2upp-40-either-end-adjustable-creeper/

 

In the rear you place the stands on the axle. What is the consensus on jackstand placement on the front end?
(My old stands have the concave support ends.)

 

The frame would probably be a safe bet, that is probably where I'll go when rotate my tires.

 

All right, so I went out and got a pair of 3 ton jack stands and a Pittsburgh 3 ton lift. The 3 ton jack stands won't reach high enough with the truck off the ground (I didn't place anything under the jack stands as I've heard like wood is not always the best option). So for anyone reading this, the height is also a factor as I did not really think about the height and was more concerned about the weight the jack stands can accommodate. As stated earlier my truck is at stock height. So after all that being said I'll will probably go out and get some 6 ton jack stands for the extra height. If you're contemplating which size to get I'd get the 6 ton for the extra height and call it a day.

 

Yup. The extra height is convenient in certain situations, e.g. replacing leaf springs. I have 6 tons for that reason.

 

from the owners manual pdf page 601: