Lifted trucks are immensely popular for their stylish look and improved performance. Not only are they good for off-roading, but they also provide a much smoother ride on rough terrain. They look so cool that many truck enthusiasts go to great lengths to get their own lifted trucks.
If you have a lifted truck, then you know that one of the most important things to do is to keep it well-maintained. This includes regularly checking the tires, shocks, and suspension.
However, then you will also know that jacking it up can be quite a challenge. In this article, we’ll show you how to safely jack up your lifted truck so that you can perform maintenance or repairs as needed.
The process is much similar to lifting up a normal truck besides some caveats we will point out. The jacks themselves and procedure may be a bit different, but the principles and safety rules are pretty much the same.
Gather Your Supplies
Now to actually get started, you need to have the right tools and supplies on hand. This includes:
- The user manual: Very important as it will have specific instructions on how to safely jack up your truck model. Make sure that you understand the instructions before proceeding.
- The right type of jack: There are many different types of jacks, but not all of them will be suitable for a lifted truck. We’ll talk more about this later on.
- Jack stands for stability: Again, these need to be the right type and size for your truck. The user manual will have recommendations.
- Wheel chocks: You’ll need these to prevent the truck from rolling while it’s lifted.
- Utility gloves: These will protect your hands while you’re working.
- Bright LED lights in case you’re working at night: You need to be able to see what you’re doing, after all.
Safety First!
Before we get into the specifics of how to jack up a lifted truck, it’s important to reiterate that safety should always be your first priority. Make sure that you understand the instructions in the user manual and take all necessary precautions.
What Kind of Jack Do You Use for a Lifted Truck?
There’s not one specific kind of jack that you need to use for a lifted truck. Rather, there are a few different types that will work just fine. These include the following:
Hydraulic Jack
A simple enough design, a hydraulic jack uses a pump to lift the vehicle. These are very popular since they’re relatively easy to use. Just design wise are a hydraulic jack that uses fluid pressure to generate the lifting power. They very popular because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
However they do have their drawbacks. For one thing, they require regular maintenance to ensure that the fluid levels are topped up. They’re also not as powerful as some of the other options on this list. They’re also simpler to control, allowing you to get to the underside of your automobile fast and easily.
Hi-lift/Trail Jack
A bit more rare and seen used mostly by off-roaders and people who frequently take their trucks out on trails. They’re also popular with people who do a lot of towing. The design is pretty simple. It uses a hand-operated winch to raise and lower the truck. This gives you a lot of control over how high or low you want to go.
They also have the impressive ability to lift very heavy loads, making them ideal for lifted trucks. However, they can be a bit difficult to use if you’re not familiar with the design. They’re also quite large and bulky, so they may not be the best option if you’re trying to save space in your garage.
As they’re designed for off-road use, they allow you to lift your truck on an angle These will still provide the clearance and safety you require to raise your lifted truck. They are also simpler to store than hydraulic jacks.
Air Jack
An air jack is a type of hydraulic jack that uses compressed air to generate the lifting power. They’re popular with people who do a lot of work on their cars or who take them to the track.
The main advantage of an air jack is that they’re very powerful. They can lift heavy loads with ease. They’re also quite fast, so you can get your truck jacked up in no time.
However, they do have some drawbacks. For one thing, they require a compressor to operate. This means that you need to have access to an air source or you need to bring your own compressor with you. They’re also quite expensive.
Also Read: Best Jack for Lifted Trucks
How to Jack Up a Lifted Truck: Easy 9 Steps
To lift your truck, you’ll need to use a jack and some jack stands. Here’s a quick overview of how to do it:
Safety First
First and foremost, make sure that you’re following all the safety instructions in your user manual appropriate gear. Not following the proper safety procedures could result in serious injury or death.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to get started.
Find a Flat Surface
Park your truck on a flat, level surface. Also make sure there is enough room for you to work around it. The ground you plan to work on should also be firm. You don’t want your truck or jacks or stands sinking into the ground while you’re working on it.
Concrete or asphalt is ideal. If you’re working on grass or dirt, make sure it’s not too soft. You may need to put something down to give you a firm surface to work on.
Park Your Truck
Now it’s time to park your truck. Make sure the parking brake is engaged and is not tilting too much to one side or the other.
Place the Chocks
Place chocks in front of and behind the tires on the side of the truck that will be remaining on the ground. This will prevent your truck from rolling while you’re working on it.
Chocking the wheels that are opposite to the side you’re raising is usually required. If you’re lifting the back left side, you’ll need to chock the rear right tire. Chocking the rear tires and chocking the front tires is required if you’re raising the front side and vice versa.
Consult a Manual to Find the Jacking Points
Next, you need to find the jacking points on your truck. These are the spots where it’s safe to place the jack. You’ll usually find them on either side of the frame, near the wheels. If you’re not sure where they are, consult your user manual or look online for a diagram.
The jacking points are generally located just behind the front wheels and in front of the back wheels for lifted trucks. Near the front and rear wheels, as well as near the wheel to the axle side, are additional jacking points. Once you’ve found them, clean off any dirt or debris so the jack has a firm surface to grip.
Check Your Jack is Functioning Properly
As a safety precaution, it’s always a good idea to check that your jack is in good working order before you use it.
To do this, place the jack under the truck and give the handle a few pumps. The truck should start to slowly rise. If it doesn’t, there may be an issue with your jack and you’ll need to get it serviced or replacement.
The last thing you’ll want is for your truck to come crashing down while you’re working on it.
Also Read: Best Bottle Jack
Position the Jack
You will need to place the jack at the jacking point on the side of the truck you’re raising.
For most jacks, there’s a base that sits on the ground and a lifting arm that extends up to the truck. The lifting arm should be positioned so that it’s touching the truck at the jacking point.
Jack Up Your Lifted Truck
When you’re ready, place the jack at the jacking point and start cranking. Slowly raise the jack and carefully monitor the truck as it rises.
Once the tire is off the ground, confirm that the truck is stable and slipping or sliding of the arm of the jack. If it is, lower the truck back down and reposition the jack.
Continue to raise the jack until the truck is high enough for you to place the jack stand under it.
Place the Jack Stands
When the truck is high enough, place the jack stands under the frame on either side of the truck.
You may need to readjust the position of the jack to get the truck high enough. Once you have the jack stands in place, lower the truck down onto them.
Make sure the truck is sitting level and that the jack stands are positioned correctly before you start working.
Lower Your Truck
Finally, when you’re finished working on your truck, raise it back up using the jack and remove the jack stands.
Lower the truck down slowly and carefully until the tires touch the ground. Once the truck is back on the ground, make sure the parking brake is still engaged and remove the chock from the wheels.
Conclusion
So, in summary, jacking up your lifted truck is a pretty straightforward process. Just remember to take your time, be careful, and use the proper equipment. Begin with finding the jacking points on your truck and make sure the jack is in good working order. Position the jack at the jacking point and raise the truck until it’s high enough to place the jack stands. Lower your truck back down when you’re finished working and make sure everything is secure before driving off. Thanks for reading!
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