New Jack

Any advice for changing the OEM jack with something better? I have a toolbox so it does not have to fit in the cab. Maybe a floor jack?, kinda concerned about those not performing that great on gravel/dirt/uneven grade roads though. Hey BTW, I have read every and ALL previous threads on this, so posting past links will not help because I have read every single post and thread. Just being honest about that before the "look at this link". Looking for new thoughts.

Thanks for the help!

 

The Daytona ones from harbor freight are solid

 

I like the OEM mechanical jack. Gear driven and extremely reliable, unlike a hydraulic jack with failed seals and hot/cold temperature extreme problems.

I do carry a 12"x12" piece of plywood as a base for the jack.

 

Thanks, been looking at those. Anyone ever use one on a gravel road? I would never climb under the truck, but just for swapping a tire?

 

i carry a piece of 3/4 inch plywood with a little 1x1 lip around the edges. When off pavement, Jack goes on the plywood with the lip keeping it in place, gravel/dirt roads don’t seem to bother it at all.

 

Since you've read all previous threads/posts I won't contribute in that capacity.
However cutting an old tire makes a very good jack pad to reduce any potential damage or risk of slippage.

 

I picked up a uni-jack for this. It's a combination bottle jack and jack stand. The base is much larger than the tool kit jack, and it mechanically locks in place like a jack stand, without needing to have a second location to put a separate jack stand.

 

That looks pretty slick. Have you had a chance to use it off-road yet?

 

From what I've seen those don't go high enough for most off road scenarios.

A piece of 2x10 and maybe two 4x4s are a great way to go along with the factory bottle jack

 

3 ton version says it does 21 inches of lift? My floor jack does 23 1/2 inches and picks up the front of my truck on the skid no problem.

 

I have not. I bought it primarily for day-to-day use on the road, since I commute with the Taco.

All I can say is that it goes plenty high with stock tires and on hard ground, which is what I deal with. I keep a 10"x10"x3/4" (the size of the base) piece of solid rubber with the jack in case the ground is irregular, but I am not planning to work on top of a rock.

 

Don’t replace the jack. Get another and carry both. Sometimes you need two. I’ve actually used two and a hi-lift to get a chevy 4x4 unstuck.
Open difs and he put both right wheels in an erosion cut. Really bad angle on a side hill. He really needed to learn how to drive. I hope he lived long enough to.

 

I figure this is kind of related....anyone replace the oem jack handles that seem to get destroyed when you drop the spare?

 

The stock jack works perfectly fine for changing a tire. Getting an extra one would be nice though but it definitely doesn't need to be "changed" out. Pic is from last fall when we woke up in the morning to find it completely flat and off the bead from a 4x4 trail. Ended up being a razor blade.

 

I keep these in my shop but they could easily be used on the trails. They are heavy. The larger one is around 95 lbs and can lift around 24”. The smaller one is around 70 lbs and can like 21”. Both from Harbor Freight and both are quality jacks. I think they are knock off Snap-on jacks.
Edit: old pictures when they were new.

 

apparently snap on did have a lawsuit against harbor freight for these jacks. my buddy told me, (toyota/lexus mechanic) who has the snapon one, paid like an arm and leg for it, said it was a clone. Having said that- i have this jack too, its nice haha.

 

This is a great idea. Stealing it to make it my own.

 

I keep a 3/8" thick piece of aluminum for a base plate for the factory bottle jack and then I usually have a pressure treated 4x4 or 6x6 with me for any extra lift I need. Has worked just fine so far. Only used that set up in some sandy spots and a little bit of mud andit worked great. Haven't tried it on super rocky terrain.

 

I was just looking at these today actually. The extra lift of the long reach seems cool, but 100 lbs might be a deal killer. (I dont have a garage yet, so Id have to lug it up from the basement every time I need it )