My friend and I plan on swapping our tires, he has 265's I have 285's. I want to see how my truck is with a smaller tire to see whether or not its worth it later on when I need new ones. Hes got pretty much the same truck as me, 98 1500, 4x4, 5.2L. We both have stock wheels so I figure there shouldn't be any problems right? Are there preferred spots to jack the truck up to put a jack stand under to remove the tires, front and back? Kyle did mention if the wheels are aluminum, which I'm pretty sure the stock ones are, its better to use a tire iron, how come? I was asking a couple questions on another thread but didn't want to overtake it.

 

I know some one will say don't do this but I just put the jack in the center of the axle and after it's up I put jack standstowards each end
of the axle. Ask for the lug wrench I'm guessing it's because u don't want to over tighten aluminum rims . U need a torque wrench when tightening them. But if your doing this for 20 min ride to how they feel u will be fine with the lug wrench.

 

For this we only have both of our stock jacks under the back bench seat, and two jack stands. Is there anyway we can do this? I have read you should jack at the pumpkin and place stands under the axle on both sides, but that would take up my 2 jack stands. Could I jack it up by the tire and place one there so the axle is on an angle just so one tire is up? That way we could just do one at a time, have a jack and a stand for each truck.

 

You can just jack up one side at a time and put the jackstand under the axle on that side.

 

You can jack off of anywhere on the axle, ends, middle, anywhere. Also can put the jack stands anywhere. Use anything to get the lugs off and back on. I just tightening mine by hand anyways. I just make sure they're pretty danm tight, but that doesn't mean as tight as freakin imaginable!

 

yeah you can put the jack whereever, you're talking bout doing it the same way i do so you should be good, tell me how you like it

 

Ok cool thanks guys. I think I will be doing it sometime by next weekend, I'll let you know how the truck feels.

 

you should get a torque wrench. i got one for $50 at sears with a lifetime warrenty. (it was on sale from $80). but you really should have your lugs torqued down to 75 ft-lbs.

 

Jack stands are pretty cheap, I would get another set of 3ton stands. It will take a lot less time than jacking up each truck 8x to swap back again.
FYI, do not use anything other than stands to hold up the trucks. Friend of mine died under his cause the cinder blocks he used collapsed.
I always lift at the pumpkin and frame crossbar under the oil pan myself. 150-200x I have swapped my 4 street tires to 4 race tires (all 8 alum rims) I use my impact gun to remove the nuts andstart them by hand, usually snug themby handand finaltighten withmy 1/2"torque wrench (90ftlbs). Only issue Ive ever had was loosing the key for the locks at the track. Had to drive home on the skinnies/slicks and take the air chisel to the locks.

 

What about the ones that hold the cover on? Impact or by hand? Are those called lugs also or just the ones holding the tire on?