Hello, all:

It's been a while since I posted. I hope everyone had happy holidays. I'm looking to blow some Christmas loot on a new jack, some stands and chocks, and some oil change stuff (drip pan, filter wrench). Help me spend my money! What should I look for in these areas, and where should I shop? Thanks, everyone.

James

 

Try Pep Boys/AutoZone/Murray's for a pair of ramps. They run $25-$30 and are easier to use(usually) than a jack and stands. Those stores carry drain pans and oil filter wrenches too. Same stores carry jack stands for $25-$30.

Downside to ramps is on a very smooth surface they have a tendency to slide away until the tire is on top. A plus is that they are sometimes more convenient when you are working underneath and regular stands would be in the way.

 

Get Rhino ramps! They are great and easy for oil changes.

Also make sure you get an oil catch pan, preferably one with a nozzle to poor the oil out of. Also, I'd suggest getting gas container to put the oil in from the catch pan. It will make transporting the oil to a dropoff place extremely easy and mess free since the gas pan will be more sealed then an oil catch pan.

You don't need a jack for changing the oil though, but if you want one don't skimp out on it, these trucks are heavy. I've already killed a an MVP 3 ton jack. I refuse to use bottleneck jacks. Right now I'm running the Sears black floor jack that goes for $100 and comes with 2 stands. Only problem is weighs a ton.

 

I just got a craftsman setup from my parents for christmas. It has a 3 ton hydraulic floor jack, two jack stands, two steel wheel chocks, a rolling padded stool, a 4-way lug wrench, jumper cables, and a magnetic protective mat. It was on sale for $99.00 before christmas, but I don't know if it is still so. It is an awesome set up and I have already put it to good use on my wifes corolla when I needed to change the oil.

Check it out here

Craftsman

There are probably better deals out there, but I am happy.



Ox

 

Thanks, everyone...

I found a 3-1/2 ton Craftsman Professional Hydro. Jack and Stands on sale for $99 at Sears and got that. I saw the one Blue Ox got, but I figured I could get my own creeper. I would rather have a little more confidence in the things holding up the truck. captainoblivious, is this the one you have? It is heavy.

Here's the jack I bought.

I also bought some chocks they had there for $7/pair. This jack seems large to me. That's okay because it'll stay in the garage or on the driveway. It also has Speedy-Lift, which means it meets the chassis on the first pump.

I'll check out rhino ramps, too. Can't have enough truck toys...
I used my father-in-laws ramps last time I changed the oil, and I almost drove over them because they kept sliding on his garage floor. Do the Rhino's stick better?

Thanks again.
James

 

Just curious, have you changed oil on your truck before? I've never needed a jack for anything under my truck, but then I don't care for creepers either... My only suggestions would be to get a fumoto drain valve, an oil pan and a clamping metal band wrench. That's all I use...

and I've had a set of heavy duty ramps for over ten years, and never once used them...