DIY $10 jack extensions

Please advise right jack type

 

I bought 2 of these a while ago for the garage, but I carry one around when venturing off into the woods, or when I tow my boat. I will eventually mount it and leave it in the truck bed.

It works very well, and the height of the plate that contacts the vehicle can be pre-adjusted, as you would with any jackstand. I like the wide footing/plate it has, as well as the jackstand stops for added safety.

It also helps, since often times the jack contact point is the ideal jack stand contact point as well, and you have to find alternate locations. This is a 1-shot deal.

$92 Powerbuilt 3 Ton, Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One, 6000 Pound Capacity, All-in-One Car Lift, Heavy Duty Vehicle Unijack, Wide Base, 620471

https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-620471-Unijack-6000-Capacity/dp/B00GJJZ5NI

 

Was just about to post this. I have not used mine yet but it seems pretty sturdy. I have used a HiLift jack a few times on the trail and they are sketchy.

 

I have a HiLift jack for getting my truck up in the air, but once it's there I have 2 6000lb jackstands that I keep in the back of the truck to safely keep it in place. I think this is the best compromise as the HiLift can be used for many things other than just lifting the truck, and I'm not about to trust it to hold while I'm working near/under the vehicle.

 

Is that just a couple (1,2?) quick fists holding the jack down?
Also the 1.5 HF Jack?

 

1.5t hf jack with a regular quickfast around the front roller, and a 9" quickfist wrap around the main body, bolted through the fender. Inspired by walking around all the chase trucks for the unlimited desert racers, and the how to on tacomas from a member here.

 

Mob Mentality.

 

I like that setup.

 

I pull neutral support / recovery duty for some off-road races here in Utah. Having a decent jack really helps.

 

Do you have a plate for it or just took the wheels off?

 

Just took the wheels off for now. Gonna have a friend make me a skid sooner or later. Can't use the DMZ, etc ones because they block the front roller.

 

OP - the issue with your jack is related to the moment arm on the loading axis. If this jack is used in a perfect vertical application it's great no matter how long your extension is.

However, any angulation from vertical, even as you lift the truck with it, creates a pivot on the jack, thus creating an undesirable moment arm. If the tilt of the jack is minimal, you have no issue as the small footprint of the jack base can distribute the load. The longer the jacks ram is, however, multiplies that moment arm away from the base of the jack. If and when this occurs, the load starts to be shifted from ony being in compression (vertical) to also having a horizontal component. This is where the small jack base becomes a problem... The longer the jack ram is, the smaller this angle needs to be to make an unsafe application.

Hope this makes sense... perhaps the below image will help too. It's basic Statics from engineering.

 

Thank you, appreciate the feedback.

 

What kind of adapter you have there?

 

I see your problem...weak 2 ply sidewall stock tires....

 

I made a pro eagle extension work

 

Not stock tires but yes, still SL rated. Cooper RTXs were fantastic, but something very large and pointy killed it. I suspect a nail from a burnt pallet. They were pretty low in the tread too, so they needed replacing anyways. New Cooper St Maxx E loads have proved fantastic so far.

 

You young whippersnappers probably never saw one of these gems, have you?

 

I agree, leave this in my truck. Safe, Sturdy and price point is great.

 

Wish they still put one of those bumper jacks in new trucks/cars today.