I'm getting geared up for a complete suspension/axle swap and I'm looking for taller jackstands than my 3 tons. I'm thinking about skipping to 10-12 tons just for the additional height. However, I don't know how one safely lifts the vehicle enough to take advantage of a 47" jack stand. I'm looking at a new floor jack too, but even a nice 3 ton SUV floor jack only goes to 21".

The two stands I'm looking at are

10 ton 47" max

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=ASZMQDJHL2ANQ

12 ton 30 1/4" Max

Amazon.com: Omega 32126 Magic Lift Black Jack Stand - 12 Ton Capacity: Automotive

My plan is to jack it from the pumpkin and slide my shorter 3 ton jack stands under one axle, then jack the other side and install the taller jacks in their short setting and basically go back and forth lifting one corner then the others under the LCA skids one or two notches at a time until I can't get any more height out of my floor jack, maybe make a wooden spacer for the floor jack for a few extra inches (within reason).

I know the safety basics of never do this when no one is around and it'll be on concrete that is level, tires chocked until they are all off the ground. I'll place the jack stands on the frame in each corner and zip tie the wrachet handles down once at height.


Is this the safe way to get the Jeep way up or a lift install?

 

I used normal jack stands: took the tires off, disconnected the sway bar, loosen the control arms and removed the shocks. (Also check brake line length) Then I put the stands under the frame and used a floor jack to lift one side of the axle to droop the other. Pull the spring out, put the new one in and repeat. I see no need for a 47" tall jack stand, 25" would be plenty IMO

Edit: As far as lifting it safely, I used my hi lift but I definitely would not call it safe. When I was raising my jeep, It was already lifted and had 35's. If you're stock, there is absolutely no need for stands that tall.

 

I'm at 2.5" with 35s using spacers, I'm going to 3.5" RK X-factor with 37s.

I realize I don't *Need* tall stands, but I can't imagine it not being nice. Maybe the 47" stands are too tall, but the 30s seem like it would provide comfortable working room. Still considering the taller jackstands as I don't have to have them fully extended to get 30+ inches of height, but this leaves me trying to figure out how to get the frame high enough...

 

Check Harbor Freight, a lot of us are using their stands. You can find 20% off coupons in newspapers/magazines/where ever.

Their 6 ton stands are plenty tall enough for me, but if you need 4 feet of clearance under there, go for it. Just be safe.

 

I think 30" will be a good height. Mine max out at 21" and I use 4x4 cribbing to gain some. If I remember correctly, I left one tire on, then lifted the other side up and put a stand under it. Then I did the other side.

 

12 tons are to big and I mean too tall, I use 6 tons and never had a issue to where I wish I had 12 tons

Using 3 tons on a jeep frame is just making the job harder

 

One thing to think about (depends on your shop) is clearance for the garage door over your rig if the Jeep is raised too high in a standard garage.

The frame sitting at 30" should be plenty of room. Any higher might not be secure enough to be under it.

 

The safe way is a proper vehicle lift or a bigger floor jack. On top of that, if you're not getting it high enough to stand around to work, then you might be better where you can sit around it rather than have to stoop to work. I've installed/helped install a great many lifts, and we either had the vehicle on relatively short stands (typically 3 ton), or up on a full lift with very tall stands for additional support. You can actually have too much of a good thing where you're having to work at arm's length while laying under the Jeep, depending on what the job is.

 

I have the 6 ton ones from HF. I haven't needed to max out their height while working under there.

 

Wow that's impressive! Are those pipe holders? This is what I was trying to figure out, how does one get a jeep ontop of that? Seems that you've got a hydralic floor jack that does the trick for you. Not something I considered or can afford. Also, that seems to be a nice location for jack stands, but not one I've seen anywhere else. Everywhere online shows the stands being by frame side of the control arm brakets.

I think I'm set on the 30" models, they are 12 ton and should be more than enough for anything i'll need in the future. if I need some additional height for my jack or stands I'll make some cribbing out of 2x4s or 4x4s. Didn't even know about this until I was googling late last night.