Maintenance tools...(jacks, jackstands, etc)?

OK, so I don't really see a "maintenance" section so if there's someplace better than here for this, mods go ahead and move it there.

I had a house. But when I moved I left my jack, stands, compressor (it was just a small 2 gallon), etc behind because I had noplace to store them and had no idea how long I'd be in an apartment (plus, they weren't anything special). I'm guessing my ex sold them because she will never use them (nor will my son)...but whatever, good for her.

Fast forward 3 years and I've made an offer on a house and pending inspection, should be moving in a couple months... and it has a 2 car, heated garage...

So, any recommendations for floor jacks (I do plan on lifting probably 2"), jack stands, smallish compressor (I don't have air tools but want something I can inflate 33's reasonably quickly without having to wait forever while the tank recharges). More than recommendations, what brands to stay away from. I'll probably be maintaining a Subaru Forester too.

I recall there being an issue with jackstands from somewhere but I don't recall where (I imagine they have fixed the issue but...)

 

For jack stands, do not cheap out with harbor freight china crap. I had a set from there I would use for light duty stuff on my smaller cars. One cracked down the weld, the other’s locking mechanism failed (very dangerous if it was load bearing).

I went with a more expensive heavier duty pin style and they seem indestructible. Still always back up my jack stands with a floor jack to be extra safe but would trust the simpler pin style design with my life over the other kind.

Buy better quality, preferably American made, when it comes to jacks/stands imo. For just inflating tires, those small jump starter/tire inflator devices should do the trick unless you’re inflating/deflating often.

 

What Jack stands would you recommend, brand/model?
I need to find a way to raise the truck for regular maintenance work. I had rhino ramps but it cracked.
I am literally using my apartment parking curb for regular works.

 

I got the store brand 4-ton jack stands from Advance Auto Parts and some Rhino ramps. I got tired of using the screw jack to rotate tires, so I recently added a Badlands floor lift. The big Viair compressor I use on the trail does whatever I need in the garage as well.

 

While this is not applicable to OP's car, I was unpleasantly surprised how little clearance for jack there is on Limited due to location of side boards/steps. As you start lifting, the arm on a regular jack would not clear. Fortunately, I have ultra-low profile jack for my sports cars and was able to clear boards this way.

I don't imagine many people with Limited work on their own cars, but I thought I'd leave it here just in case.

 

What about Costco? They typically have jacks and jack stands for reasonable prices.

 

I'm running harbor freight 3 ton jack stands and Daytona jack. Harbor Feight carries the newer version jack stands now. They recalled earlier ones. With that being said, I always put my front wheels under the sliders and a backup set of jack stands behind the ones holding the 4runner up. Safety 3rd!!!

 

Never had an issue with Harbor Freight jacks, only their jack stands. Definately need to get a decent sized air compressor. Honeslty Ive got a 20 gallon from HF, no issues. Change the oil and drain the water and your good to go. Definately get yourself the proper tools for an oil change, socket set, wrench set. Home depot regularly puts halfway decent tools on sale. Im sure I'll catch hate for this, but most of us shade tree mechanics have no need for snap on tools as we will never see a return on that investment. Ive been using Craftsman for years with no complaints. Congrats to the new home!

 

I went heavy duty for the truck. Jack stands is not where I want to go cheap.


Torin 6 Ton Big Red Double Locking Jack Stands

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTorin-Big-Steel-Jack-Stands%2Fdp%2FB00026Z3DQ&ved=2ahUKEwi09bqj94CGAxUd5ckDHZSUAoEQFnoECC8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw23ZtmHeuv_kdx1fjJLfkMz

 

Yeah but I'm gonna need to service a Forester too and that sits lower.

I've got a decent array of hand tools, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers (lost my favorite screwdriver though, she must have taken it out of the set and I didn't notice since I had 8 hours to get all my stuff out).

Funny thing is, my gf has a better chop saw than I do (and no, she didn't take it from her ex).

that is kind of my stance. too much capacity is not a problem, not enough is.

 

Esco jack stands are really good stands, but you pay for them. I also like Arcan floor jacks. A bunch of years ago I was in Costco and they had a low profile, three-ton Arcan jack for $99. I couldn't believe it. Especially seeing what they run now. Been going strong since.

I wouldn't bother with an air compressor. They've become somewhat of a waste of money. I barely even use mine anymore. Inflating tires, two air tools (that are last resorts), and blowing dust around is about all I use it for anymore. The cordless stuff has come a very long way and that's mostly what I use anymore. My collection of cordless stuff falls under tools I couldn't live without.

Tekton, Gear Wrench and a few others are good tool brands that fall somewhere in the middle. Tekton's guarantee is super easy. Last time I broke something, I emailed them a photo and they sent me a new one the same day.

 

No hate. I find Craftsman and Husky tools completely adequate for what I do. And, I do ALL of the maintenance and part replacements on both of my Toyotas.

 

ESCO jack stands are great (I believe that is what I have?).

If you have a garage, race ramps are also very helpful. They have an extended ramp for my low clearance car too. Makes oil changes a breeze.

 

I would never call myself a mechanic, but I do my fair share of maintenance and parts replacement. A few things I splurge and some Harbor Freight is good enough. I have a HB low profile floor jack and a Powerbuilt 3-in-1 Jack/Jack Stand(

$79 Powerbuilt 3 Ton, Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One, 6000 Pound All-in-One Car Lift, Heavy Duty Vehicle Unijack, 640912

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ULZGFU) and have been totally happy with both.

 

Not to highjack your thread, but I see you're a Main-ah. Born and raised? What area? The missus and I have plans to relocate up that way in the next few years in advance of retirement...if all goes well. Have good friends in Cape E and Boothbay Harbor who are both trying to get us to move near them but we haven't seen much else of the state--outside of the coastal touristy towns up to and including Bar Harbor. Do love it up there though...

Thanks,
TimG

 

Do you use one of the 3-in-1 or do you have 4 for all corners? I'm assuming it's not too tall and fits well to raise the frame?

 

No specifc reccomendation but if I where starting over I would spend the $$ and spring for an aluminum floor jack. I have a 3.5Ton Arcan steel floor jack and its a b***** to roll around the garage if you dont have one of those smooth as glass epoxy floors.

 

Born here, Navy brat as a kid but ended up back here as a kid too. I've mostly lived in central maine (Lewiston area).

As for where to locate, the farther from the coast, the more affordable it is. I'd definitely take a trip or two to do some recon if you're not too far away (Cape Elizabeth and Boothbay Harbor are both nice places if you can afford them). I prefer the mountains to the coast but that's just me.

 

I usually use that as a jack and Stand. Since it raises so high I can raise by frame or any part of the 4Runner. If I need more than one corner raised I then use 3ton jacks, that I think came from TSC.

 

I'll second what one of the other posters recommended ... Torin BIG RED jack stands are reasonably priced. More importantly, they're exceptionally well made.

$50 BIG RED TAM43002A Torin Steel Jack Stands: Double Locking, 3 Ton (6000 lb) Capacity, Red, 1 Pair

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQ2S32NX?ie=UTF8&th=1

I recommend buying these rubber pads for the jack stands. They protect the frame some and add some height to the stands.

$10 2 Pack Jack Rubber Pad Adapter for Jack Stand Universal Rubber Slotted Frame Rail Pinch welds Protector

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Q7RT5HT?ie=UTF8

I also like the Torin bottle jack. I bought two so I could lift the entire passenger/driver side which makes tire rotations easier.

$40 BIG RED T91203B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 12 Ton (24000 lb) Capacity, Red

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000234ISU?ie=UTF8

I also recommend buying a bottle jack saddle. The axle saddle fits right on your hydraulic bottle jack and helps keep the axle tube stable while you jack up the axle with this lift pad.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265419252816

 

All the tools I use for an oil change are above.

I needed a second torque wrench because the span of torques for my maintenance routine goes from a low of 10 ft-lbs to a high of 85.

Beyond the oil change is a grease gun for prop shaft lubrication.

I prefer ramps over jack-stands when possible.

I have an electric impact gun.

That’s pretty much everything I’ve used on my truck other than a set of plastic pry tools. I haven’t done a brake job yet, but I’m sure I’ll add a few tools to,the list then.

 

I have a floor jack and stands, but lately I find that if I just drive up on a couple of stacked 2 by 8's there's plenty of room for an oil change. (With a 1.5" lift too...)

 

As mentioned, HF had recalled a bunch of stands but I think the newer ones are fine.

You can just look at the welds and see for yourself.

Likewise I have the HF Daytona floor jack and I haven’t had any problems with leaking or lift losses (but I put stands under the truck as soon as I lift it).

Most of these are made in China so you just need to get a close look at it and decide for yourself.

Good luck

 

If I’m just changing the oil on mine I don’t put it up on anything. More than enough room to get a drain pan under there.

 

Where do you find the torque specifications?

 

I tried sliding in without raising the front to change oil. I can reach just under the front radiator cowl and maybe stretch the arms enough to remove the 4 12mm skid plate bolts but that's it . To tight for me and I am not fat.

 

Poke around in here. It doesn't have everything, but it's got a lot. (Note: the torque spec on the plastic bit- the lower front bumper cover, is 71 in-lbs).

 

I got the torque specs .

Have a look at this: