Say y'all

Happy Holidays

What kind of jack do you use? Where do you keep it?

There's the summary. For those bored or actually interested here's the derailed train of thought:

I've been riding my motorcycle 99% of the time and haven't messed with my van much: Went camping and canoeing last spring, drove it to pick up machinery a coupla times and only drove it two or three times due to rain... we didn't get much this year in Central Texas.

The tires on this thing were old when I bought it a year ago. Tread was good but dry and cracking side walls.

And it didn't come with a spare tire, jack or lug wrench.

I'm about to drop some cash on tires. Although I refer to my Ram Van as "Pimp-Bitch'n" I don't have a desire to make it look all that Pimp or Bitch'n as I don't want folks stealing it, breaking into it or thinking I'm a molester...

Now my '93 Ram D-150 pick-up... I'll consider putting some mo' Bitch'n into the pick-up, but its gotta be the right kind. Cool and Cheap. Right now it wears BFG ATs on the stock 6.5" wide steel wheels. The van has the same steelies but in a narrow 5.5" or 6" width. So I'm thinking about pulling the shoes off the truck rims. Putting those wider wheels and new tires on the van, while retaining the contractor/work van look. Then getting some Ramcharger Turbines on the truck with the ATs.

No doubt, the Turbines would look slick on the van. Maybe later. First maybe some Baby Moons on the steelies.

I figure I can use one of the wheels I pull off as a spare tire. I have an old 4-way stashed somewhere... I still need a jack. I like the small jack in the pick-up that is the only thing I own tall enough to jack up the truck or the van. Is there a good alternative to one of these compact units? I've looked at Harbor Freight but their hydraulic bottle jacks don't go high enough... maybe Tractor Supply or a junk yard find like the truck's jack.

Mech
getting back on track

 

I personally use floor jacks. Here is a thread that may help you about jacks:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...an-advice.html

 

Forgot to add to read through for the information about jacks are further down the page.

 

runn a floor jack, put it in the back, and take the handle off

 

Just found what I'll be purchasing:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/powerbu...-stand-1160455

High quality floor jack stays in the garage. This might fit in the back door.

Mech

 

Won't fit in the door like a bottle jack. This thing is substantial. Nice safety design. It's a 3 ton jack stand with a hydraulic bottle jack built into the side.

It will go in the box

Mech
Now is the time to cut access doors in the goucho box/bench
Wheels are on the front porch

 

"alloy wheel paint stripper"

Oh. Hey, this isn't google.

Mech
now knows why the wheels were so cheap.

 

I will have to look into that jack/jack-stand. Looks like it would be very handy.

 

Right? At $30 I'm thinking when funds are available, I may go get another one.

Seems two self jacking jack stands (or four) would be very handy and confidence inspiring.

Mech
who is disappointed with the 15 x 8" wheels that were advertised as 15 x 7"...
will a 275/35-15 fit?
hmmm... just checked. Looks like 15 x 8" might be ok.

 

FYI regarding your original question - the OEM jack is a bumper-style unit, same as those used since the 1960's. The jack mechanism is typically stored on the same threaded rod that holds the spare tire to the inside of the van at the right rear between the wheel tub and the barn door frame. The base of the jack is used to press against the rim of the spare tire and it is held tight with a threaded wingnut. The pry-bar end of tire iron is used to raise and lower the jack using a "pumping" action.