1st tire rotation on a tacoma- where to use floor jack and stands safely?

So as a preface, I have rotated the tires on all the cars i have ever owned. easier and quicker for me to do it in my garage versus taking somewhere, waiting an hour, then coming back home only to find lug nuts torqued too much or cross threaded......


my only other body on frame vehicle that i have rotated tires on it my 2007 xterra. i have the trick for that:

i have a 2 ton aftermarket floor jack and 2 3 ton jack stands and the oem floor jack that came with the xterra:

i do one side at a time, jacking one rear corned up from under the spring/ubolt perch thing using the oem floor jack then i use my aftermarket floor jack to lift the same side other corner off of the frame rail as close to front as i can- then i put stands right next to that area in front under the frame and as far back as possible on frame for the rear.

with all that said:

how can i do the taco? every car is different it seems.


i tested my aftermarket floor jack last night in rear, lifting whole rear up off the diff BUT i don't like that method as i usually like to chock the other sides/ still on ground wheels/tires to avoid movement.

i was thinking of using the aftermarket floor jack either under that side's spring perch where the ubolts come down- but that seems sketchy- or at the indicated jacking point in between the center of the axle and the wheel on that side. that seems like it's round there though so i don't know how well my aftermarket floor jack will hold it? I suppose i could then use a jack stand either under the spring perch of the center of axle.

in front, i was going to use the oem bottle jack at the jacking point- there is a little plastic thing on the surface there that i suppose lets the jack stay centered- so using aftermaket there won't work. then i would put a jackstand at the closest point at that end on the frame rail.

thoughts??

 

Jack points are designated in your user manual. I place my jack stands under the thicker parts of the frame (I also use the sliders). There is a “bulb” In front of the truck along the centerline designed as a jack point.

 

Dude open your manual

 

if u use the bulb then that means all 4 corners up at same time. i do have a garage that's level but i have always done one side at a time. seems safer? to avoid rolling?

 

i am looking for tips really on the dynamics of jacking up such a long vehicle like a pickup. this is my first time doing so. i did read the manaul and see the points for the lifting and the stands but that is using the oem floor jack as far as i can tell. you all are oversimplifying it. Maybe i am over complicating but safety is important.

 

I use a 4-tire rear cross rotation.
I use the spare as a 'placeholder'...

 

Chock the wheels that are still on the ground and rolling won't be an issue

 

That's what I would suggest for the safest practice. Utilize the spare tire, and that gives you a chance to inspect it and adjust pressure so you know it's good when you need it.

 

i want to do one side at a time by jacking up one side at a time. i do not want to have the whole truck up in the air at the same time on jackstands as i only have 2 jackstands. so i need a jacking point AND a jackstand point on each corner of the truck. that's my question.

 

Use the floor jack to raise the front of the truck on the centre point, place jackstands in the appropriate support locations as indicated by the manual, lift the rear by the differential with the jack.

 

Buy 2 more jack stands. Much more sturdy when all the wheels are off the ground. Lift from the rear diff and front lifting nubbin, put the stands where the owners manual indicates.

 

You put the spare on the left rear, take that tire and put it on the left front, now the one you took from the left front goes on the left rear after you remove the spare. Now your left side is done and do the same on the right side. Chock blocks on the opposite side and you are very safe this way.

 

Seriously just spend the 60$.

 

i need to invest in 2 more jack stands also. but ive done it with 2 + a Jack successfully

 

based on the manual, looks like i should be able to use my aftermarket floor jack to jack where the oem jacks lifts in rear- outboard of the center of the diff- and perhaps use a stand under the spring perch or even under the diff itself. in the front, i can use the oem jack to left at it's point and maybe put a stand under the big metal tab thing with a big bolt coming through it?

 

hell no. then i get stripped studs. no thanks. i will learn how to do this truck on my own.

 

i think he means buy 2 more jacks

 

Jack the rear up and put jack stands under the axle. Then jack one front wheel up at a time, I usually just go under the control arm. Quick and easy.

 

Exactly, go get 2 more jackstands. They are like 60 bucks. If you're intent on "learning to do this truck on my own" you should just start by doing things that make your life easier and do it right. (The whole point of you avoiding stripped studs etc at the dealer that you're so paranoid about)

 

Doing one side at a time may be difficult or even unsafe because the jacking and jack stand points are different heights front to rear. For height alone you need 6 ton stands in the front (frame rails) and 3 tons in the rear (axles). I do a 5 wheel rotation, so I do hover truck. Yes you have to be very careful and safe. But but it is relatively quick.