Floor Jack & Jack Stands for full droop

[EricStanley]

Current setup is a Metal Cloak Game Changer with 4.5" Skyjacker Springs. I'm going to be replacing the Skyjacker springs with Metal Cloak 4.5" springs (along with a bunch of other stuff). I don't have a lift in the garage and I'm looking for the best way to get the springs in and out without using a spring compressor - which means I need to achieve as much droop as possible with jack stands and a floor jack. I'll need to purchase the them, so the question is how tall do they need to be (I have a couple sets of stands and a low profile jack but they're far too short for this)? MC's site says the rear springs are about 22.5" and the fronts are about 24.5".

For those that have installed/removed springs this tall without a lift and no compressor - which stands and which jack did you use?

Ultimately it's probably cheaper to just get a spring compressor. I get that. But tall jack stands will have more opportunity for use in the future compared to the spring compressor.

I appreciate your help!

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

You have to build platforms for your jack and/or jack stands and then progressively lift while increasing the height of the platforms.

you can remove all wheels and leave the front or rear sitting on blocks to get a little more space at the opposite end.

Probably simpler to just use a compressor.

 

[EricStanley]

I have a bunch of these Camco leveling blocks that I use for leveling the camper. I wonder if that would work for what you're describing.

 

[jdinny]

Don't know if you have any rental stores near you, but if you do, you could rent a coil spring compressor for a day or two. Probably be easier, and safer that a buch of blocks.
good luck whatever you choose.
Your JT looks great.
What wheels are they?

 

[rharr]

I use these to hold up the bumper horns in the front and haven't killed myself yet. If you are worried you can drill some holes in the bottom tube and run a pin through the post to add move vertical support.

https://a.co/d/01MzzYYy

or these purpose built stands

https://a.co/d/045tKam8

 

[James H]

Harbor Freight sells 12-ton stands for $160 with a max height of 29"+. With the wheels off, this will allow full droop.

 

[James H]

I use these to hold up the bumper horns in the front and haven't killed myself yet. If you are worried you can drill some holes in the bottom tube and run a pin through the post to add move vertical support.

https://a.co/d/01MzzYYy

or these purpose built stands

https://a.co/d/01MzzYYy

These are not designed to hold a vehicle.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

This isn't as difficult as you may think, once you take the tires off you get a lot more room for droop right there.

I use Harbor Freight 12 ton jack stands. Been using them for a long time, Completely ripped out the axles and rebuilt the suspension on a few Jeeps using them now. I spent a lot of time under the frame of my TJ shaving all the brackets off and taking it all down to bare metal, I trust them.

As for a jack, any decent 3+ ton floor jack is fine, especially if you've got some chunks of 4x4 laying around. I did just pick up HF's off road jack though, and it's been handy and the amount of lift is impressive.

In this photo they're still in the settings I used to completely remove the axles, reinstall, check travel, etc over the last month. They go much higher. I was supporting the JT at the frame just behind and in front of the front and rear axles:

Axles totally removed but you get the point. It was high enough to not only remove the coils but set the axles down on carts and roll them away. I'm on 3" AEV coils that measures a bit over 4":

ranges:

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Also just a side note from experience, when you try to droop out the front the first thing that usually binds after you've installed a lift is the locker sensor harness. It'll snap the little diff housing bulkhead fitting in half if you're not paying attention. Not a big deal, but a part that you have to wait for to come in.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I have a bunch of these Camco leveling blocks that I use for leveling the camper. I wonder if that would work for what you're describing.

I don’t know, I’ve always used wood that was alternately stacked.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

I don’t know, I’ve always used wood that was alternately stacked.

I wouldn't trust those either.

Properly built cribbing blocks made of 2x4 are good but for the price of wood you'll probably (bit of hyperbole) be in more than adjustable jack stands by the time you're done.

 

[EricStanley]

Don't know if you have any rental stores near you, but if you do, you could rent a coil spring compressor for a day or two. Probably be easier, and safer that a buch of blocks.
good luck whatever you choose.
Your JT looks great.
What wheels are they?

Thank you! Those are Reika R35 Rambler wheels (17x9, -38mm offset)

 

[EricStanley]

This isn't as difficult as you may think, once you take the tires off you get a lot more room for droop right there.

I use Harbor Freight 12 ton jack stands. Been using them for a long time, Completely ripped out the axles and rebuilt the suspension on a few Jeeps using them now. I spent a lot of time under the frame of my TJ shaving all the brackets off and taking it all down to bare metal, I trust them.

As for a jack, any decent 3+ ton floor jack is fine, especially if you've got some chunks of 4x4 laying around. I did just pick up HF's off road jack though, and it's been handy and the amount of lift is impressive.

In this photo they're still in the settings I used to completely remove the axles, reinstall, check travel, etc over the last month. They go much higher. I was supporting the JT at the frame just behind and in front of the front and rear axles:

Axles totally removed but you get the point. It was high enough to not only remove the coils but set the axles down on carts and roll them away. I'm on a 3" AEV coils that measures a bit over 4":

ranges:

This is awesome. Thank you!!

 

[rharr]

These are not designed to hold a vehicle.

Yes that is why I said I haven't died yet..... everyone has to make a decision on what works for them.

the second link was a typo, i have updated it with purpose built stands.
https://a.co/d/045tKam8

 

[EricStanley]

Also just a side note from experience, when you try to droop out the front the first thing that usually binds after you've installed a lift is the locker sensor harness. It'll snap the little diff housing bulkhead fitting in half if you're not paying attention. Not a big deal, but a part that you have to wait for to come in.

Good heads up! Thank you!

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