First, I put this here because im not sure of any changes in any of the other generations nor would that be applicable to my truck.
Second, not trying to spark arguments, even though its going to happen.

Where do you guys think are safe places to jack the vehicle?

Before any of the Manual Preachers tell me to read the manual, i have. Page 413. The owners manual only mentions jacking the vehicle in the wheel and tire section. This leads me to believe that they only suggest the jack points they did (two on the front and then each side of the axle) for the purpose of changing a tire. They also only mention the supplied jack, which would again explain the 4 jacking points....there are a lot of places i would jack from using a floor jack that i wouldnt with the supplied jack.

Where do you jack for replacing rear shocks, springs, or anything else when you need the load off the rear suspension? Where do you put jack stands? The owners manual cautions to NOT jack from the pumpkin...is that because some doofus might bend the cover or is it because they dont want you using the supplied jack to do it as that would end badly? Do you use 2 floor jacks and jack the rear up and then put stands under the frame?

Ive done a lot of suspension work, i use a 3 ton jack, under the pumpkin and place 6 ton jack stands under the front leaf spring frame mounts once up. Ive probably done this at least 60 times on my 4 trucks without issue, as well as countless other vehicles. Just curious as to others thoughts and experiences.

Again, ive read the manual, I think it is geared towards to jonny-truck owner that gets his oil changes done at jiffy lube as well as implies you are only using the jack for a tire change using the supplied jack. Since we have a lot of folks on here that claim to be engineers, a lot of folks that have been working on vehicles for a long time, and a lot of people who rely solely on mechanics to do any/all work I figured it would be a good discussion.

 

I've always jacked under the rear pumpkin with a floor jack. i would tend to agree with putting stands on the frame if you can find tall enough ones.

 

The manual isn't much help because it can only address the equipment Ford supplies with the truck and the points and purposes for which it is appropriate and safe, which is very limited. I can imagine some folks I know trying to jack up the pumpkin with a scissor jack, both bending the cover and dropping the truck on themselves in the process.

The method you describe sounds safe to me. I have some industrial training and experience with jacks, and the most important parts of it are always (1) jack by point(s) on the frame or axle, and (2) insert jack stands before doing any work.

 

Just a note on the owner's manual....they're geared towards you the owner not knowing your capabilites or knowledge, not you the capable and/or experienced mechanic.

 

I use the pumpkin in the rear and will remove the metal skidplate for access to the front crossmember. Jack stands on the frame in the front and under the axle in the rear.

 

I get that, but there are a lot of posts/comments from folks quoting the manual even when it’s clear people are using jack stands, proper floor jacks, and such.

 

your post in “what did you do to your truck” was part of the chuckle factor that made me post, you stirred a few up. But if you search this forum you’ll see a lot of guys screaming about the rear diff and quoting their resume…

 

I wouldn't want to out myself by bragging about how well I know my way around a rear end. .












But I do.

 

LOL I totally missed those responses. Not sure why people think it's bad to jack up a truck from its strongest points. (puts flame suit on)

 

I only place the jack on the frame rails up front and the axle housings in the rear. I used to use the rear diff, but developed a leak after some time. Fixed the leak, and it didn't come back, since I stopped putting the jack there. If you read the manual (which I actually do), it says NOT to jack up from the pumpkin. I read this and went, "Whoops", after having used it as a jack point a whole bunch'a times. That's when I discovered the leak. To each their own, though. Everyone is an expert in their own garage.