Best jacking methods and tools to remove wheel for offroad purposes?

[BlazerBill]

Howdy everyone! My ‘83 K5/4WD is almost road and offroad worthy after a multi-year “garage” restoration. I’d like to know what the best method is and the best tools to use for jacking either side of the front end to remove a wheel, if necessary while on unstable/un-level ground while off-roading. My Blazer has a 4” suspension lift. It currently has 32” tires but may go to 35’s. It also has a stabilizing brace (not sure of the exact name) mounted below the front axle from wheel to wheel that prevents jacking up directly on one side of the axle to lift just one wheel off the ground. On concrete, I have to locate the floor hydraulic jack directly under the differential housing but it lifts the entire front end requiring a very heavy duty jack but this would not be ideal for changing a wheel while offroad. I’m interested in jacking equipment that is portable and compact enough to take with me. I’m also currently deciding on what type of bumpers to install and would like the tubular type but is there a type of tubular or other style bumpers that incorporates a jacking pad or opening to use a high lift bumper style jack? I’d very much appreciate hearing from you all and please provide photos of the jacks, bumpers and methods you use and where to get the jacks and any other equipment needed to jack up a Blazer while off-road. Thanks, all!

 

[legopnuematic]

Axle truss is the name you are looking for.

The truss kind of complicates things some, but I use a 20T bottle jack for my not at the shop lifting needs. Hi lift jacks work too, but must be aware of how to use one properly to not get hit in the face by it or get hurt.

 

[Jawzjeep]

I use a combination of a bottle jack and a high lift Jack.

I carry around a thick piece of 1' x 1' plate to set the jack on to increase the size of the base or if the ground is soupy. Sometimes I'll put the bottle jack right below where the leaf springs land on the axle. It's kind of flat right there and depending upon my situation I may be able to use that area better. YMMV

I carry a heavy strap with me for when I use my high lift Jack. I strap the axle to the frame so when I jack up the truck by the bumpers the suspension doesn't unload and I don't have to lift it as far. My burb is pretty tall and a regular high lift Jack tops out real quick and if the base of the high lift is in a hole, forget about it.

Personally I'd get rid of that truss, it's just asking to get caught on something. Do you use your truck in a way that that requires the truss? I've bounced many front ends off the ground and never bent an axle tube that way.

 

[BlazerBill]

I don’t do any hardcore off-roading or rock climbing, so I might just remove the axle truss as you suggested.

Axle truss is the name you are looking for.

The truss kind of complicates things some, but I use a 20T bottle jack for my not at the shop lifting needs. Hi lift jacks work too, but must be aware of how to use one properly to not get hit in the face by it or get hurt.

Thanks, for the reply!

 

[nvrenuf]

I don’t do any hardcore off-roading or rock climbing, so I might just remove the axle truss as you suggested.

Fyi, if you remove it those old accessories are pretty popular in some 70's / 80's show truck pages on FB. It has value.

 

[77 K20]

You asked about tube bumpers and lifting:

There were a few different companies making adapters for tube bumpers/rock sliders.

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Amazon link

 

[BlazerBill]

Fyi, if you remove it those old accessories are pretty popular in some 70's / 80's show truck pages on FB. It has value.

I did go ahead and remove it. I guess I’ll keep it for awhile until I get tired of storing it even though I doubt I’ll ever use it again.

 

[BlazerBill]

Northern Tools has a very large selection of different types of jacks that can be ordered. Here’s the link to the different categories of jacks available through them.

https://www.northerntool.com/categories/jacks

 

[BlazerBill]

Here’s the link to the different types of jacks offered by Grainger

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

 

[BlazerBill]

I found a company that specializes in high quality, American made bottle jacks, accessories and kits. Very cool stuff but pretty expensive. I went ahead and ordered a kit from them. Here’s their website. They also offer a 10% military discount if you call and ask for it.

Safe Jack - 4WD, Outdoor,Off road, 4X4 accessories and products.

Safe Jack offers accessories for Hi-Lift, farm style jacks. We also offer many bottle jack kits as well as jack stands.

safejacks.com

 

[Grit dog]

I found a company that specializes in high quality, American made bottle jacks, accessories and kits. Very cool stuff but pretty expensive. I went ahead and ordered a kit from them. Here’s their website. They also offer a 10% military discount if you call and ask for it.

Safe Jack - 4WD, Outdoor,Off road, 4X4 accessories and products.

Safe Jack offers accessories for Hi-Lift, farm style jacks. We also offer many bottle jack kits as well as jack stands.

safejacks.com

Cool and all, but your best resource for safe vehicle jacking is already located between your ears, and it comes with unlimited free software updates if you choose to update.
That seems like a lot of weight and chit and gimmicks and dollars for a pack n go spare tire jack. JMO. And those kits don’t have anything for recovery really. That’s where a hi lift and your internal hard drive being up to date pay off.
If you want to be prepared just bring a run of the mill bottle jack and a few nicely sized wood blocks. And maybe some 2x4s or cut wedges if you’re really making a deluxe kit.

 

[Hilllbilly]

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https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-hydraulic-bottle-jack-56684.html?event_id=184096&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22887600145&campaignid=22887600145&utm_content=185350328804&adsetid=185350328804&product=56684&store=801&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22887600145&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoP_FBhDFARIsANPG24OpvxngJC727J-mXSImwwohL4pEPgrqZ6VEYHWZqYFYKsLp-YwCo9EaAibDEALw_wcB

 

[idahovette]

^^^^^^^^^^^Don't think that's big enough^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Old Guy Bill]

This is what I carry for my fifth wheel RV, along with some short 2x8s
Same setup should work in the truck

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[legopnuematic]

Unfortunately I do not believe the jacks that safe jack are selling are American made.

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Then a trip over to American forge and foundry and looking at their offerings:

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