I have always been told not to jack up a vehicle be the differential. But how do you lift up the entire front end or rear end without jacking from the center of the axle? i just need it up long enough to get the jack stands under the outer sides of the axles.

 

I Jack up one side at time using bottle Jack's on the tube. Becuase I don't have a floor Jack.

I've seen plenty of people Jack up by the pumpkin. It's a solid front axle. Really doubt youre gonna hurt it.

 

If you want both sides up at the same time you're gonna have to use the pumpkin....

 

i tend to think the same but "supposedly" there are stories of failures.

 

there is no problem lifting on the diff pot aslong as you don't have a heavy load in the truck.

 

If a differential failed because someone was using it as a jack point, there was something else bad wrong going on there. The diff is DESIGNED to support the weight of the truck.... if it won't, I would rather find out on a jack, than on the freeway at 70 MPH.

 

+1

My dad and grandpap have always been jacking up their cars by the differential, and since they haven't ever had issues with it in 50+ years that's what I do too. Now the trucks with the off center front diff won't work like that due to balance, but the axle works for those.

 

As stated, been done for years by myself and thousands (at least) others. It's not a problem.