This is my first truck, I am replacing the CV axles on a 2006 Dodge Dakota. I see the Frame under the Door that seems like the logical place for Jack Stands; however, I want to make sure before I begin. My plan is to jack up the front right and put a jack stand and then work my way over to the front left and repeat the process. I have seen post where there is a central jack location in the front and I believe I have found it; however, there is also a point behind what I believe is the frame that could also be the central floor jack point. I have only owned smaller cars and have always had dummy markers to ensure I was in the correct position. I understand how trivial this sounds, but I don't want to lose a leg and the owners manual only has the jack up points for emergency tire changes. If my initial plan to jack up both sides one at a time is safe then I will go with that, but if the central location for my floor jack while I set both jack stands in place is the proper way to do it then I would rather be on the safe side.
First Post Here, I appreciate the input.
Below is a picture of what I believe is the Central Floor Jack Point and where is the Side Jacking points. If these are incorrect please advise.

 

Welcome to DF! Moving this to third gen Dakota section.

 

Welcome!

Don't take this the wrong way, and I know sometimes the DIY forum people can be a bit stubborn when told to pump the brakes, but I've had to fix many "attempted repairs" and half done jobs that I feel a little qualified to step in here. Along with being an ASE certified heavy mechanic and fabricator since I was 18 years old with technical high school and a degree in diesel automotive with 7 years as a government heavy mechanic.

Day one of auto shop is usually shop safety and floor jack placement on different kinds of vehicles. Not until you master getting your car off the ground, should you touch tools. A job like CV replacement requires you disassemble your front suspension which, if not re-installed properly, will cause things to fall apart, sometimes at highway speeds.

Sorry for the long drawn out warning about me being worried for you performing this repair without knowing how to jack up the vehicle. But proceed if willing:

Throw a jack on the middle crossmemebr under the engine (as you have pictured), and place jackstands at both sides of the frame of the truck behind the front wheels. I say behind because nothing is more frustrating than working around Jackstands. This also frees up your jack for taking apart the front suspension with ease.

If you need more help, I'll check back.

Good luck.

 

Hey Projekt

I really appreciate the time you took to respond. I feel much more confident about my approach now. I understand I might have come off naive, but wanted to ensure that I was properly setting up.
This is my first truck and while I understand the basic concept of utilizing the Frame to jack up the vehicle I wanted to ensure that I was utilizing the correct process and points.
My other two vehichles are a 98 bmw 328i and a 2014 mazda 3. I'm certainly no expert but I've done all the suspension work on those two cars myself, including the wheel bearings on the 328i which were intense.
I'm hoping with my Youtube Education and help from people like you on this forum I'll be able to get by. If I get stuck there is supposedly a really good travel mechanic here in mobile.

Thanks

 

Right on. Well if you get stuck, we're all here and most of us have had the entire front end apart (some more times than they can count, lol)

Yea, with trucks, just grab the frame somewhere. They are pretty stout. Just don't want to see someone get injured or worse.

 

I borrowed a floor jack from a guy one time and he gives me tis hydraulic jack with a wooden box built around it. (A box with no lid with a jack sitting in it. I tried to explain to him that the jack has wheels for a reason. So it can be pulled into position when the lever moves up instead of the vehicle. He did not get it!