Jacking up truck on dry soil!?

[jeboblasto]

Hey there, i have been trying to find some info about what my options are for doing some suspension work where it's parked, which is on grass/dirt. There's a pretty level spot there and it is packed down pretty good, once it's dried out a bit. I am considering the safety of working on it there, rather than trying to find a shop or paved driveway. Just wanted to know if anybody has experience, any recommendations for this type of scenario. My 67 needs back on the road, been biking all winter. Pouring concrete is not an option, i was leaning in the direction of a concrete rv type pad/block or two. Thanks,

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by jeboblasto

Hey there, i have been trying to find some info about what my options are for doing some suspension work where it's parked, which is on grass/dirt. There's a pretty level spot there and it is packed down pretty good, once it's dried out a bit. I am considering the safety of working on it there, rather than trying to find a shop or paved driveway. Just wanted to know if anybody has experience, any recommendations for this type of scenario. My 67 needs back on the road, been biking all winter. Pouring concrete is not an option, i was leaning in the direction of a concrete rv type pad/block or two. Thanks,

I think I'd be out looking for someone sawing up a big tree.
Big logs under frame?

[Sillyoldman]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

I think I'd be out looking for someone sawing up a big tree.
Big logs under frame?

You took the words right out of my mouth. I usually put a wood round or two under the frame ever since I had that jeep fall on me.

[donut]

Hard packed like clay? Or is it more like a section of lawn?
In my dirt driveways, I'll use 3/4 plywood sections sitting FLAT for jacking and jack stands. Logs or cut timbers for frame bracing/cribbing. Do as much with the wheels on the ground as possible. Try not to get under it. (sorry if it seems obvious, but some folks consider cinder blocks as "safe". Like the guy up the road, my neighbor and...)

I have used small concrete RV pads, if you have to move them, it can be a chore.

If you don't like the looks of something, correct it. It's far easier to do it correct than pick the truck up off the ground and start over, much easier than if your next of kin get to finish your project.

I work on vehicles far more on dirt than pavement.

[yousesteers]

Get you some oak or a hardwood blocks.

[jeboblasto]

Originally Posted by donut

Hard packed like clay? Or is it more like a section of lawn?

It's lawn, dirt, been parking on it for a fair while. I would wait for some warm/dry weather for sure. I may have a line on some free big logs that would work, might get a pad as well, just to have a firmer spot for the jack. thanks for the perspective. safety is #1 for sure.

[donut]

If you've been parking on it for a while, your that much ahead of the game. My old 4x4 was rebuilt in a section of lawn that my wife and I had been parking on for a couple of years. I even had a large tree root sticking up that made a great wheel chock.

I also burned wood, so I had a fairly large selection of logs to choose from. There was a sawmill locally that used to sell scrap for kindling. I just happened to find a selection of 12x12x24, 6x12 timber cuts from some crane mats they were building for a local contractor.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by donut

In my dirt driveways, I'll use 3/4 plywood sections sitting FLAT for jacking and jack stands.

Same thing I use, Then slide the tires up under the frame as well if I have to take them off for the job at hand.

[motornut]

don't use cinder blocks
older ones were poured into a form
newer ones are pressured into a form
but still they can crack,and drop
i have a bunch of 6X6 and 8X8 chunks for chocks and lifting/support
depending on what you are doing,i have dug under the car "a pit",
enough to slide under it,and not actually lift it

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by motornut

don't use cinder blocks
older ones were poured into a form
newer ones are pressured into a form
but still they can crack,and drop

three quarter ply wood works good and will support jackstands, get a whole sheet and then ya have a solid surface to work on.
stay away from concrete blocks, they WILL bust !

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I'll echo what everyone else has said - wood under the jack stands / jack and then some type of safty support under the frame - logs , tires, something to keep it from hittign the ground if it comes off the stands

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

... stay away from concrete blocks, they WILL bust !

Worth Repeating! Hollow cinder blocks are fragile!

[Altec]

Build these tall enough to get the frame off the ground!

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/wood-block.htm

[Sub-versive]

Originally Posted by donut

Hard packed like clay? Or is it more like a section of lawn?
In my dirt driveways, I'll use 3/4 plywood sections sitting FLAT for jacking and jack stands. Logs or cut timbers for frame bracing/cribbing. Do as much with the wheels on the ground as possible. Try not to get under it. I have used small concrete RV pads, if you have to move them, it can be a chore.

If you don't like the looks of something, correct it. It's far easier to do it correct than pick the truck up off the ground and start over, much easier than if your next of kin get to finish your project.

I work on vehicles far more on dirt than pavement.

I grew up on a small farm with gravel driveways. We always used 3/4" ply down first, jacked up and used 4x cribbing. My dad drilled my brain about always using cribbing or jack stands.
This saved me from injury. A hydraulic jack failure dropped my truck. If I didn't have cribbing it might have killed me.


Some people might say wood is not safe. I say BS
Wood cribbing is used in heavy construction and machinery moving. It is an economical means of safely(if done properly) carrying a load.

[donut]

I've worked heavy construction most of my life, I learned early the value of cribbing. Also how weak cinder blocks really are, unless used as intended.

[PanelDeland]

I've also found a Jackstand made from 2 wheels to work well on packed dirt.Lay one down and stand the other up inside it.Then weld them together in that configuration.They should still be on a plywood base on dirt but they have a larger base which helps spread the load.

[Turkey]

look for some rail road ties. You can find 'em cheap from landscape places. cut them up and stack 'em

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

I've also found a Jackstand made from 2 wheels to work well on packed dirt.Lay one down and stand the other up inside it.Then weld them together in that configuration.They should still be on a plywood base on dirt but they have a larger base which helps spread the load.

[crushermechanic]

i use cribbing on a daily basis. it can support serious weight if done correctly. whatever you do do not use pine for cribing. it will crack and splinter. use only a good hardwood like oak or hickory.