[AVR2]

Is it safe to jack (and place jackstands) anywhere on the frame rail? Inevitably, the suggested jacking points are the same places where you'd want to place the jackstands if you're aiming for suspension droop.

 

[oomanoptt]

I just went thru this. Use the same place a garage hoist would use. I use a hunk of wood to displace the load, rather than just that small circle most jacks have. Thats also where I put the jack stands.

 

[AVR2]

I just went thru this. Use the same place a garage hoist would use.

That's the problem though, that's the same place where you want the jack head *and* the jackstands!

So if I'm jacking where a garage hoist pad would be, is it safe to put the jackstand behind that point on the frame rail? I'm guessing yes.

 

[Double E]

Put the jack stand under the axle, furthest point available towards the wheel. If you need to let the axle drop, then yes, I would place the jack stand as close to the lifting jack point as possible and use wood to distribute the load.

 

[IOwnCalculus]

You can realistically jack anywhere it's "doubled up" but it will start bending if you put a jack or stand anywhere along the single-thickness framerail.

Alternatively, get sliders!

 

[wjpaul]

I use my sliders to lift the Jeep. If you want the whole thing sitting on stands (have done that many times) I will place the jack in a center of the front axle, but not axle tube, and lift from there. Then use the rear diff to lift the back end. I always do the front first then the rear.

 

[AVR2]

I will place the jack in a center of the front axle, but not axle tube

Sorry to sound dumb here, but what do you mean by "centre of the front axle, but not the axle tube"?

I used to jack my ZJ from the centre of the front axle tube, using a block of wood between the jack head and the tube. It's a bit more difficult on the WJ because the ideal place to jack is exactly where that steering damper bracket gets in the way.

 

[wjpaul]

....on the WJ because the ideal place to jack is exactly where that steering damper bracket gets in the way.

That's exactly where I carefully place the jack. Car comes up evenly and I place my jack stands under my sliders.

 

[4WDlifeform]

If I need to drop the suspension, I always lift the axles as high as I can with floor jack. Then, put the jack stands under the body with block of wood. I'll pull the wheels off then drop the axle down, which sits the body on the jack stands, and droops the axle down until the springs fall out. It has been a good system for me, and I have 2" lift.

 

[alfaitalia]

I use my sliders to lift the Jeep. If you want the whole thing sitting on stands (have done that many times) I will place the jack in a center of the front axle, but not axle tube, and lift from there. Then use the rear diff to lift the back end. I always do the front first then the rear.

Obviously don't lift from the rear diff if you have the D44 (D35 is fine). They have an aluminium pumpkin and can be damaged. And before all the usual suspects say "I've lifted mine loads of times there....its fine!"....well I would have agreed....until I saw one damaged through jacking recently. I wont be doing it again...also of course it does warn specifically against jacking the D44 diff in the handbook....and they should know what they are talking about....lol!

 

[AVR2]

You can jack the rear one side at a time on the axle tube, though, can't you? Otherwise, if you want suspension droop, you've got the same problem with the the jack head needing to be in the exact same place as the jackstand (just inboard of where the LCA bolts to the body).