Jack stands not tall enough!

[Phidelt83]

Finally got my 2.5" lift kit and wheels/tires. Went to start the project yesterday and jacked up the front end and put the jack stands under the frame. Once I got both the stands under the Jeep, I noticed the stock tires were barely off the ground. I can remove the tires and probably have enough room to install the kit, but I don't think it's going to be high enough to put on the 35's when I'm done. Was thinking about using the jack on each side for the extra height just to get the wheels on but not sure if that's the safest route or not. I definitely won't be under it if it's just under the floor jack. Any ideas?

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[Maximus Gladius]

Can you stack some layers of 2x8’s under the jacks? I get the height I need with 6 ton Jack stands. If I need more, I put them on 2x8’s

 

[OHJeeper]

If you have enough room to get the tires off, I would use the jack stands under the frame just as you have them now. Do the lift kit and then use your floor jack under the axle when done to get the clearance for the new tires.

I would keep the stands under the frame the entire time for not only your safety, but if your jack fails when lifting the axle to get the 35's on it will save your hubs/rotors from hitting the floor.

 

[JustinLentz]

If you are in a Prime location, these are available next day.

Rajvia Steel Jack Stands 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, Double Locking with Anti-Slip Gear Sleeve, Black, 1 Pair (6 Ton) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095GH15TY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_0AZ3QEH6NSBJH5YT0VGB

 

[Phidelt83]

Can you stack some layers of 2x8’s under the jacks? I get the height I need with 6 ton Jack stands. If I need more, I put them on 2x8’s

I’m thinking I’ll probably try doing this. Just layer up some 2x8’s to get the height I need

 

[Phidelt83]

If you have enough room to get the tires off, I would use the jack stands under the frame just as you have them now. Do the lift kit and then use your floor jack under the axle when done to get the clearance for the new tires.

I would keep the stands under the frame the entire time for not only your safety, but if your jack fails when lifting the axle to get the 35's on it will save your hubs/rotors from hitting the floor.

If lifting the axle, as you suggested, would the proper place be just under the differential? Also, would that compress the springs so much that the large wheels wouldn’t fit into the well? Just thinking that would be at full compression before the Jeep starts to raise up higher. Total noob with this but trying to think critically about it.

 

[Renegade]

The jack goes under the axle tube, not the frame...

 

[bleda2002]

I’m thinking I’ll probably try doing this. Just layer up some 2x8’s to get the height I need

Get bigger jack stands, for lifts and tires they should be 6 ton or you'll need 2-3 2x8s under your current ones it's just going to be safer. You will still need to probably lift that corner of the axle slightly with the jack to get the bigger tires but it should compress until the spring is at ride height before it starts lifting the vehicle.

 

[mazeppa]

I’m thinking I’ll probably try doing this. Just layer up some 2x8’s to get the height I need

Please be extra safe when getting underneath a raised vehicle! Sometimes pine 2X-whatever can split when a force is applied and cause a domino effect with the jack stands. Maybe use a few pieces of plywood stacked screwed and or glued together larger than the base of the jack stands.

Edit:

or longer jack stands if yours are too short.

 

[MaysvilleStig]

You would have to jack it up under the axle as high as you can, take the tires off and then place jack stands under the frame. Then when you lower the axle you should have enough room to work.

 

[Phidelt83]

The jack goes under the axle tube, not the frame...

Perfect. Thank you!

 

[OHJeeper]

If lifting the axle, as you suggested, would the proper place be just under the differential? Also, would that compress the springs so much that the large wheels wouldn’t fit into the well? Just thinking that would be at full compression before the Jeep starts to raise up higher. Total noob with this but trying to think critically about it.

It looks like you're considering some of the other options, but for completeness I'll bullet this out

1) Raise vehicle with floor jack high enough to put your jack stands under the frame
2) Put jack stands under frame - If you were correct in your first post, your current wheels should be off the ground enough to get them off?
3) Take off wheels
4) Use floor jack to support the axle and proceed with unbolting all of your stuff (links, LCA's, shocks, etc). You should have enough room for the axle to drop low enough to do your new kit.
5) When done, use the floor jack to raise the axle up high enough to clear the new tires/wheels. This should really only be a couple of inches at the most higher than your previous wheels/tires. As @Renegade showed in his post, lift by the axle tube on each side
6) Install the wheels/tires on first side, repeat Step 5 and this step on the other
7) Move the floor jack back to the frame and raise it off the jack stands
8) Remove jack stands
9) Lower Jeep

 

[Phidelt83]

It looks like you're considering some of the other options, but for completeness I'll bullet this out

1) Raise vehicle with floor jack high enough to put your jack stands under the frame
2) Put jack stands under frame - If you were correct in your first post, your current wheels should be off the ground enough to get them off?
3) Take off wheels
4) Use floor jack to support the axle and proceed with unbolting all of your stuff (links, LCA's, shocks, etc). You should have enough room for the axle to drop low enough to do your new kit.
5) When done, use the floor jack to raise the axle up high enough to clear the new tires/wheels. This should really only be a couple of inches at the most higher than your previous wheels/tires. As @Renegade showed in his post, lift by the axle tube on each side
6) Install the wheels/tires on first side, repeat Step 5 and this step on the other
7) Move the floor jack back to the frame and raise it off the jack stands
8) Remove jack stands
9) Lower Jeep

This makes a lot of sense. Thank you for spelling it out for me. ?

 

[Challenger85]

This was a helpful thread.

 

[Phidelt83]

This was a helpful thread.

Yes it was! I’m again overwhelmed with the support I always receive here.

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