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Jack!!!

JT

JT

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I need help finding a jack to carry in the AV that'll allow me to change a flat(just in case). The HiLift jack won't work with all the surrounds on the Av(plastic). Any input??? Note:See sig below for reason stock jack doesn't help...) Thanks in advance!!!
 
I purchased a Craftsman 3 ton Service Jack from Sears.

This jack comes in a plastic case and will fix under the rear seat. I bought it because I tow a trailer.

See Attached.
 

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First of all, any reason why this post was moved to the 4x4 & off-roading forum as opposed to accessories or something a little more generic? A jack that works is not strictly a 4x4 or off-roading issue. (Even though I know TheBeast has a lift and that's why his jack doesn't help him.)

I had a problem using the factory-issued jack to lift my unmodifed Z71 Av. And I have a 2-1/4 ton (I think it is) trolley jack--the one from Sears in the little case, but it doesn't reach the frame of my Av either! What the heck am I supposed to jack this thing up with if I have to change the tire?

(At home I use my 3-1//2 ton full-sized jack, but there's no way I'm hauling that thing around...)

Brendan
 
silversport said:
You could take Imodium D or Ex-Lax or Pepto...ohhhhhh...you said a-regular... :rolleyes: ??? ;D >:D :B:
Click to expand...


Hahahaha! I like your sense of humor!!!

I assume I'll just hit that Onstar button if I have a flat until I can find something. I'm not sure the spare would cut it anyway, but at least my Av could limp somewhere close. I'll keep my eyes open....Thanks!
 
brmiller said:
First of all, any reason why this post was moved to the 4x4 & off-roading forum as opposed to accessories or something a little more generic? ?A jack that works is not strictly a 4x4 or off-roading issue. ?(Even though I know TheBeast has a lift and that's why his jack doesn't help him.)
Brendan
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It was a judgement call, plain and simple. I thought it would get more play here, and you found it, not going to get much serious discussion in the bar. ;D
 
What about having some sort of a block fabricated so that you could still use the stock jack. Might not be the safest solution but for changing a tire it would probably be ok. I'm going to talk to some guys about it tomorrow. There wizards with steel and alluminum. I'm pretty sure they could make something that would work safely.
 
[quote author=gandolphxx]
It was a judgement call, plain and simple.[/quote]
Good enough--I was just curious. And you're right--I did find it.

So what's the recommendation? Or am I just lame and the factory jack <u>will</u> work with a stock frame-height?

Jake, your idea of a block sounds intriguing--it's what my brother recommended (since he got me the travel trolley jack for Christmas :)), but I was worried about safety. Now a custom steel block that fit in/around the jack cradle and either cups the frame or has some kind of support for the part you're lifting--this might work. But could be a bunch of custom work.

I was hoping someone had already figured this out. Or could tell me how the factory jack was supposed to be useful to change a tire.

Brendan
 
Is there some reason a guy can't use a regular hydralic bottle jack? They will adjust to different heights, come in all sizes, and don't cost too much. In fact, I didn't use the factory jack on my last pickup because it was such a pain too remove and replace. I guess the downside to this method is getting on the ground to put it under the axle or control arm. (probably not OSHA approved either) Hope this helps!
 
No reason. I'll have to go to Harbor Frieght or someplace and see what height bottle jacks they have. The factory jack is a bottle jack, after all. But too short. I still can't figure this out. Why would Chevy send this short ole jack? Or am I jacking wrong? Maybe I'll take it to the dealer and make them demonstrate how to change a tire....

Brendan
 
I just bought a 3 ton/21" lift for my Z-71. I got it at Sears, with 2 jack stands, for $50. I'll just use it at home for rotating the tires and grease jobs. It worked great, although it was a little eerie seeing one side of the truck up in the air with no tires.

(This must be a good place for this subject. I posted a similar topic on the Accessories page a couple of weeks ago and only got one reply.)
 
Sears should be real happy, I also spent money there on a 3.5 ton jack and 6 ton stands today - need to get the rear end up in the air to do some mods. ;D
 
When using my 3 ton jack from sears on my firends truck with a lift kit we used some small pieces of 4x4 wood to extend the lift. We also had some small pieces of 2x4 about 5 inces long. This is not rocket science.
 
some chunks of 4x4 (as MrBill suggested) work great. Just make sure that whichever wheels are still on the ground are blocked... the jack is substantially less stable with 2 or 3 wood chunks between it and the truck!

g-man... whatcha doin' to the back end? Enquiring minds want to know ;)

As for out on the road, I have a 2 ton bottle jack tossed in one of the side compartments. Metal bumpers (another topic) sound good to me though so I can use a hi-lift when I'm off-road.
 
What about that bag jack? You slide the heavy duty 'balloon' under. Hook the tube up to your exhaust and gun the engine.

Only seen this on the web... somewhere... ...could work.
 
pdxkevin said:
What about that bag jack? You slide the heavy duty 'balloon' under. ?Hook the tube up to your exhaust ?and gun the engine. ?

Only seen this on the web... somewhere... ?...could work.
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Let me see if i get the picture, 7100 lbs of truck being held up by a large bag being filled from the running engine - fascinating, isn't it hard to do much work under the vehicle with the "bag" in the way? Maybe that is an advantage. ;D
 
pdxkevin said:
What about that bag jack? You slide the heavy duty 'balloon' under. ?Hook the tube up to your exhaust ?and gun the engine. ?

Only seen this on the web... somewhere... ?...could work.
Click to expand...

Air lift bags are pretty standard fare used in fire-rescue. Some bags can lift over 50 tons @135 psi with only a 30"x30" footprint. Pictured is a bag that will lift 8800lbs 24" using a maximum of 7 1/4 psi. Note that all lift techniques are used in conjunction with cribbing. Once the needed height is achieved the object being lifted is supported in another manner.

lif_lab4u.gif
 
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