Hi- I have a 2001 DRV 3500 maxi w/5.9L engine. Van is "stand up height" high top w/rows of rows of seats pulled out and never more weight put in it than those (heavy) seats were
What would you yourself buy to work on such a vehicle- 2,4 or 6 ton Duralast jack stands from AutoZone? I think the van GVW is in the neighborhood of 10.000+ lbs.
thanks

 

I wouldn't trust Duralast jack stands...... Think I would get some 4 ton fellers from harbor freight....

 

The rule of thumb I go by is 3/4 of the vehicle weight per stand. You want welded steel not pressed construction. Absolutely do NOT get a fold up stand. I worked an incident once where one collapsed and the guy was trapped. Had he not slid the tire under the frame beforehand, it would have been a recovery not a rescue.

 

Thanks- Harbour Frieght is showing only 3 or 6 ton from "Pittsburg Automotive" in steel or aluminum.
I don't ever foresee raising more than 1 wheel but you never know. Aluminum sounds "weak" but if it's got the rating and I would prefer the lighter weight.
Im leaning towards the 3 ton aluminum unless that raises safety concerns.

 

There is no kill like overkill.

That said, the three ton fellers will likely be just fine. That's six thousand pounds per stand..... pretty close to supporting the entire van on one stand.

 

Don't beat on them or get them in a fire and they should do fine. Steel can take more abuse but if you don't loan tools, that shouldn't be an issue. I've got some 12 ton monsters for working on Semi's and they are bears to handle but I never have to worry about too much weight.

 

Thanks once again. Sometimes you folks save us time and money and sometimes much more.
Odd how safety wasn't always so much a concern when young. In my 20s I worked on an old (1943) "deuce and a half" army truck for a year- 3 axels & 10 wheels. It was off the ground on 4 tree trunks at each bumper corner. The tree was big but that's a lot of faith in the military.

 

Get the stands that have triangle plates welded to the feet at each corner. That will resolve some issues with them sinking into the ground. I use ramps made out of 2x12's when I don't need to remove a wheel. Each ramp requires a full 16 footer but it's solid wood and plenty wide.

 

I got and use the 6-ton ones, I figured why take a chance.

 

Thanks for all the info. For $42 instead of $24 at Harbor Freight I bought the 3 ton aluminum
which are more than a little bit lighter than the steel. Chances are good I'll never have to support more weight than 1 wheel does and even then I'll use both stands with the jack supporting also. Now if I can just dodge an earth quake while I'm under there. Joke of course but can you imagine how many nervous mechanics had to get back to work after the Ca. quakes?