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How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 8:14 pm
by qwertyd10n
Hi there,

I'm currently prepping a different front axle for my '66 F100 4x4 and I'm wondering what the best way to support the front end of the truck would be when I'm ready to swap it in? Some really tall jack stands would be great, but they aren't easy to find and probably aren't cheap either.

Let me know your ideas.

Cheers,
Dion

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 8:39 pm
by Alan Mclennan
Don`t use besser blocks, and clay bricks are a bit small, I would go with hard wood blocks stacked if floor stands are hard to find!

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 8:41 pm
by William-in-St George
Buy a set of jack stands. These will last a lifetime and may save yours. No compromise here Jack stands are the only way to go. Not really that expensive. IMHO!

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 8:43 pm
by 36truck
Jack stands or wood blocks cross stacked ONLY. NEVER use cement blocks.


I have a pair on 12 ton jack stands that can get hihg enough to get any car or truck off the ground high enough.

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 9:19 pm
by Hunter's 64
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-jack ... 38847.html

can have them to ya in a couple of days. cheap insurance :2cents:


Danny

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 9:37 pm
by jamesdfo
Dion: If you know anybody who works in the patch, see if you can get them to scrounge you up some "dunnage" (a fancy word for wood blocking) . They use it for many things, in a number of sizes. 8"x8" is good, 10"x10" is better:). If I was still at my old job, I could probably hook you up, but that ship has sailed:(:

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 28, 2012, 9:52 pm
by sully5
I built some platforms out of 2x12's about 10 inches high. with edges to keep jackstands in place on top of them.

They ARE stacked, with no gaps to allow wood to break. I'm BEYOND paranoid about under car deaths. I know someone who was crushed (car on cinder blocks). I was slow and painful and causes me to shudder to this day.

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 29, 2012, 1:10 am
by ICEMAN6166
best to buy a good quality set of jackstands.
but
if you use wood min. size 6x6x 42" wide. 8x8 or railroad ties are better. if theres a sawmill nearby you might get a good deal on 3 sided pieces.

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 29, 2012, 2:54 pm
by Gritsngumbo
I bought these from Tractor Supply: http://www.tractorsupply.com/jack-stand ... PricingCmd
If you have one close. Looks like they only sell them in stores. Pretty happy with the quality, size and price.
I wound up making some riser blocks out of 4X4's to get them high enough to get the truck on the rotisserie.
If you need to go really high, try some welding pipejack stands. Not cheap, but tall :-)

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 29, 2012, 3:02 pm
by qwertyd10n
Thanks for all the input guys... I have some 6 ton jack stands already, but I don' think they're tall enough to support my 4x4 frame. I measured it last night and the bottom of the frame is ~24" off the floor. I think what I might do is make some platforms out of some 4x4s and 2x12s I've got laying around and put the jack stands on those to give me a little more lift.

Cheers,
Dion

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 29, 2012, 6:15 pm
by Gritsngumbo
That should work!

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: February 29, 2012, 8:18 pm
by foodstick
Not really relevant to this thread,
but a local you pull it yard here has there cars up on some jackstands that are one bare rim standing up, welded into another bare rim laying down. Pretty effective when you aren't as worried about messing up the floor pans etc. and just want it up high and stable.

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: March 1, 2012, 12:01 am
by 61 Merc
Dion, try a rental shop, they may have some bigger stands for you.

Dean

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: March 1, 2012, 12:08 am
by Alan Mclennan
foodstick wrote:Not really relevant to this thread,
but a local you pull it yard here has there cars up on some jackstands that are one bare rim standing up, welded into another bare rim laying down. Pretty effective when you aren't as worried about messing up the floor pans etc. and just want it up high and stable.
They have them here also!, Falcon ute!!!


Image

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: March 1, 2012, 8:37 am
by sully5
That's how Pull-a-Part has their cars elevated, too.

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: March 1, 2012, 10:12 am
by lnevill
Your frame may be 24" off the floor with the tires on, much it would be much closer with them off!!

I supported my 66 4x4 frame with standard jack stands on the floor by jacking up the axle, removing the tires and setting the frame down on the stands....

Lee

Re: How to safely support my frame?

Posted: March 1, 2012, 11:05 am
by ICEMAN6166
lnevill wrote:Your frame may be 24" off the floor with the tires on, much it would be much closer with them off!!

I supported my 66 4x4 frame with standard jack stands on the floor by jacking up the axle, removing the tires and setting the frame down on the stands....

Lee
a couple months ago i helped my friend swap out the front end in the big wrecker,we took off the tires and made a little dolly to set the i beam down on and roll it out. it probably weighs as much as your front end and engine.

Image