I've been reading up on all the "how to" threads. It seems everybody uses the trailer hitch to jack and hold the truck up. Is there any way to do it without using the hitch, I've taken mine off and really don't feel like putting it back on only to take it right back off again?

 

Sure, put the jack under the pumpkin (differential).

 

Yep, we used jackstands and a floorjack and use certain points on the frame. My ranchos made it a hard task to find a good spot in the frame to suppor the rear though. Just make sure the rear wheels barely touch the ground...

 

put hte jack under the pumpkin?


He is removing the rear suspension.
that is only asking for trouble.... what is going to hold up the rear of the truck when the leafs are removed?


Put it under the frame and use jack stands.

 

Hey Dumba** hey said jacking it up not supporting it. Don't be so quick to jump on a guy would ya.

I jacked my up with the pumpkin and then supported using jack stands under the hitch. You can also support on the frame where the hitch used to mount in your case.

 

Many/Most will tell you it is a BIG no, no to jack the truck up using the pumpkin. Best avoided as it can cause pumpkin leaks, damage, etc... There are other alternatives. Now, with the weight of the truck on say a lift it is aok to use a stand to put some upward lift on the pumpkin say when you do the shackle install.

 

maybe I[m missing something.

if you remove the rear shackles, the leaf spring WILL NOT support the weight of the truck inthe rear.

Now if you are lifting it by the PIG, how the heck is the rear supposed to stay up.

you must support it by the frame.


NOW.
the reason it is easy to lift by the hitch is becuase the axle will stay on the ground and you can raise and lower the rear of the truck easily with the hitch to line it up for the install of the bolt to the leaf spring.

If you support it by the frame, how easy is it going to be to get it to line up. you either lower the frame, or raise the axle up to it.

dumba$$.

 

You are right there brother.

Look buddy I guess you have a problem so I'll say this and let it be. Although you should not jack the truck up by the pumkin it can be done. Now as far as lining things up, if the truck is supported by the frame it is much easier to move a rear end weighing, what 300-400lbs up and down instead of the whole vehicle minus the rear end weighing maybe 1500-2000lbs.

Just think if your jack fails and they do, what can do more damage? A person has to be safe and crawling underneath a truck supported by a hydrualic jack is asking for trouble, However the whole thing started out by the gent asking if he can jack the truck up with the pumpkin. We should assume that he is then going to support it with jack stands which everyone else seemed to understand. So ya my Dumba** fits you to a tee.

 

Shackle wars?

I-Menace is right though....we even took the trouble to jack up each side by the frame instead of doing it at once through the pumpkin...

But I'm sure a couple of seconds won't damage anything...