If you want to work on your car, you will probably need jack stands. If your truck is high enough off the ground, you might be able to reach the oil filter from underneath without jack stands. However, you need them to take the wheels off and work on the brakes. There are different kinds of car jacks, and not every jack works perfectly with every car.

To figure out which jack is the safest for lifting your car or truck, you need to know how the weight, design, and jacking points on your car or truck affect the process. Thirty years ago, most jack stands were thin pieces of stamped metal with a pin that could be moved to change the height.

The new stands were made of thicker metal that was welded together and had a toothed mechanism for adjusting the height. Because Harbor Freight stands with the toothed mechanism was recalled and the news spread quickly, stands with locking pins are once again popular. Check out these tips to help you figure out which jack stands will work best for you.

What is Jack Stands?

Jack stands to look like a tower or tripod and is made to hold the weight of a car that has been raised. They should be placed under the car’s axle or frame to give an elevated car more support. Once a car is lifted up, stands are put in place, and the car is lowered onto the stands. Jack stands have saddle-shaped tops that are meant to hold up the vehicle’s axle. Stands should only be used on flat, hard surfaces and with vehicles that don’t weigh more than what the stands can hold.

There are different kinds of jack stands, which are grouped by their maximum height and weight capacity. Most of the time, a jack stand’s height is measured in inches and its weight capacity is measured in tons. Most of the time, jack stands come in pairs and are used with floor jacks. Most stand heights are between 13 and 25 inches, but they can go as high as 6 feet. From 2 tons to 25 tons of weight can be carried.

How do Jack Stands Work?

There are two patterns. Pin-locking stands, like the Torin T43004, are shown to have a tubular lifting post that slides inside another tube and a series of holes that you can put a pin through to both hold the load and keep the post in place. Ratcheting stands instead have a toothed post, a rotating “pawl” that slides under the next tooth when the post is lifted, and a release lever that must be moved to lower the post.

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20 Best Jack Stands for Auto Maintenance

1. Best Overall: Torin Big Red T43004 Aluminium Jack Stands

If you want to work on a truck or large SUV, you need jack stands that can hold more weight and go up higher. It goes without saying that you want them to be safe, which, in the modern world, means that they need an extra lock. Pin-through-tube-design Omega, Sunex, AFF, and other companies sell 5- and 6-ton stands, but they are expensive. The Torin T46002A has a toothed-post design with a locking pin that keeps the teeth from slipping. It can hold up to 6 tons and can reach a height of almost 2 feet. It’s also very cheap.

2. Budget Buy: Pro-LifT T-6903D Double Pin Jack Stands – 3 Ton

This set of two Pro-Lift jack stands can hold up to 3 tons, which is enough for small and medium-sized cars. The whole thing is made of steel alloy, and the feet are about 7.6 by 6.85 inches apart. For safety, these stands have two ways to lock. The head can move up freely with the ratchet lock, but it can’t move down until the lever is moved. A second metal pin keeps the stand from moving even more.

The height ranges from 11.35 to 16.75 inches, which is good for most vehicles but might not work for lowered cars or very tall trucks. Pro-Lift also comes with a warranty for one year.

3. Best all-around Jack Stands: OTC S03 3-ton Jack Stands

OTC makes great tools. This is why the 3-ton jack stands from this company are our top pick. These jack stands are made of high-quality steel so they will last a long time. They have self-locking ratchet mechanisms, wide bases for extra stability, and a pretty (and long-lasting) baked-enamel finish. As for their working height, they go from 12 inches to just under 18 inches. The ratcheting mechanism has 11 teeth, and each large saddle has a deep notch in the shape of a V to keep vehicles from moving while they are in the air.

4. Most Compact: BIG RED T43004 Torin Aluminum Jack Stands

These jack stands are made of cast aluminium and are light and small enough to fit in a trunk or tool kit. The assembly has a hollow tube with a flat base that is 6.75 inches wide to make it more stable. The arms are held in place by a thick pin made of stainless steel. Each stand can hold up to 3,000 pounds of weight.

Height ranges from 10.75 to 15.63 inches, which isn’t much, but it’s hard to expect more given how small they are. Just keep in mind that they aren’t good for working on big trucks and SUVs.

5. Extra Stability: ESCO 10498 Jack Stand, 3 Ton Capacity

The Esco stand has ten different height settings and a 12-inch wide base that makes it more stable while holding the car. It locks itself in place with a thick metal pin, and its height ranges from 13.2 to 21.5 inches.

Silver powder coating on the body keeps it from rusting, and a thick rubber pad on the head of the stand protects the car’s bottom from dents and scratches. At 6,000 pounds per unit, the weight rating is also pretty heavy-duty. But each stand will have to be bought separately instead of as a set.

6. Best Truck Jack Stands: Torin Big Red T46002A Steel Jack Stands

If you want to work on a truck or large SUV, you need jack stands that can hold more weight and go up higher. It goes without saying that you want them to be safe, which, in the modern world, means that they need an extra lock. Pin-through-tube-design Omega, Sunex, AFF, and other companies sell 5- and 6-ton stands, but they are expensive. The Torin T46002A has a toothed-post design with a locking pin that keeps the teeth from slipping. It can hold up to 6 tons and can reach a height of almost 2 feet. It’s also very cheap.

7. Made in USA: Hein-Werner HW93503 Blue/Yellow Jack Stand – 3 Ton Capacity

This assembly is bright blue and yellow, and it measures 9 inches by 7.5 inches. It is made in the United States, and when you buy it, you get a two-year warranty.

A simple ratchet mechanism that goes from 12 to 19 inches long locks the door. Not a lot of range, but those few extra inches at the top can help when lifting vans and crossovers. Each stand can hold up to 3,000 pounds, so the two stands together can hold up to 6 tons.

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8. Best  for SUVs: Omega Lift Heavy Duty 6 Ton Jack Stands Pair (JZ060)

It is made of strong stamped steel and has a frame that is welded together to make it last. With a lifting range of 16 inches to 23-1/2 inches, you can work on a wide range of cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks.

Omega Lift Heavy Duty Jack Stands are tested for reliability and safety to meet or exceed ANSI/Pald standards. Ideal for use at home, in auto and truck shops, on farms, and in shops. Omega Lift Jz060 is a set of 6-ton jack stands that are meant to hold your car up after a floor jack has lifted it. It has a wide foot base in the shape of a pyramid, which gives it extra strength and stability.

9. Best All-in-One:  Powerbuilt 3 Ton All-in-One Hydraulic Bottle Jack – 620471

Lifts and holds unibody and body-on-frame vehicles safely, up to 3 tons. A wide, flat base makes the shoe more stable and stops it from “sinking” into soft surfaces. Combines jack stand and hydraulic bottle jack into one unit, so you don’t need a separate jack stand.

Made to safely lift and hold both regular cars and trucks and those with a single body. The safety bar keeps the unit at the height you want. From 11 inches to 21 inches tall.

10. Best  for Lifted Trucks: Sunex 1410 10-Ton, High Height, Pin Type, Jack Stands, Pair

Used in pairs to hold up trucks, trailers, and other equipment in fleet garages, farms, factories, and construction sites. Steel base with four legs and a heavy schedule pipe support tube to make it stronger and more stable. Multiple holes in the support tube make it easy and quick to change the height with a pin. The pin that changes the height is attached to the stand so it doesn’t get lost. A large saddle with locating lugs holds and places the frame of the vehicle.

11. US JACK D-41610 6 Ton Garage Stands 100% Made in USA

The only garage stand made entirely of US parts. Low Height: 16 1/4″; Maximum Height: 25 1/4″; Base Diameter: 11″ x 11″; “Double Lock Security System” uses two pawls to engage two teeth on the load bar. The maximum load per pair is. Stands come in sets of two. US Jack sells to the US Military, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Oshkosh Truck, and Snap-On.

12. Heavy Duty: Omega 32225B Black Heavy Duty Jack Stand – 22 Ton Capacity

Omega 32225B The 22 Ton pin-style Jack Stand was made with safety in mind. It has a heavy-duty pin that lets you change the height. It lets you support things from a height of 13-1/3 inches to a height of 19-2/3 inches.

The Omega 32225B Jack Stands are made of strong steel that is welded together. The heavy gauge steel frame gives it the extra strength it needs to stay straight and not twist. The large saddle on the Omega 32225B jack stands lets you support the load safely.

13. K Tool International KTIHD61222 22-Ton HD Jack Stands

The K Tool jack stands can hold a huge amount of weight because they are made of thick steel. With a rating of 22 tons, they can fix cars, trucks, RVs, and even some buses. The heavy-duty construction means that each stand is over 30 pounds, which makes sense.

The set’s arms get smaller until they reach flat bases that are about 9 inches square. The fact that the height range is only 11.83 to 19.75 inches is not a good thing about the design. This will be enough for most vehicles, but lifted trucks may need something more. There is also a warranty for two years.

14. Esco – 20 Ton Swivel Style Jack Stand (10802)

The only stand that lets you set the exact height of the support is the ESCO Heavy-Duty 20-Ton Screw Style Jack Stand. This professional jack stand has an easy-to-turn screw adjustment handle that lets you change the height in any way you want. This feature lets you choose the exact height you want between 16.5 inches and 26.5 inches. Stands are sold one at a time. The least height is 16.5 feet “. The tallest you can get is 26.5 “. The 13 x 13-inch solid base makes for a stable performance.

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15. Omega 32066 Magic Lift Black Jack Stand – 6 Ton Capacity

Omega 32066 Magic Lift Black Jack Stand is a strong and long-lasting 6 Ton self-rising jack stand. By lifting the handle, the patented technology raises the ratchet bar so that it can load. The frame is made of strong steel that is welded together. This gives you more strength and safety.

The Omega 32066 Jack stand has a ratchet bar made of ductile iron that is all in one piece and can be moved to different positions. It makes you stronger and makes things last longer. The counterweighted pawl also lets you lock the ratchet bar in place. Magic Lift technology is built into the Omega 32066 Jack stand to make the job easier and safer.

16. Best Lightweight: 3 Ton Light Weight Aluminum Racing Jack Stands

These sturdy jack stands are easy to set up because they are light, but they are strong enough to hold most cars and small trucks. These jack stands can hold up to 6000 lb. safely and securely because they are made of high-strength aluminium that has been welded together. A self-locking ratchet handle makes it easy to change the height. A great set of jack stands for working on cars or putting them away.

17. Best Budget: BIG RED T42202 Torin Steel Jack Stands: 2 Ton (4,000 lb) Capacity, Red, 1 Pair

The Torin BIG RED T42002 lightweight jack stands are used to support your car after lifting it with a jack. It is made of high-quality forged steel and has a welded frame for durability. It can handle a wide range of cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks. The height can be changed from 10-13/16″ to 16-9/16″, and it can hold up to 2 tons (4,000 lb).

The sawtooth design of a multi-position ratchet bar lets you change the height quickly and lock it in place. It has a large saddle surface area to get a better grip on the load it is carrying. A wide pyramid foot base makes the foot stronger and more stable. To meet ASME standards, it has been tested for reliability and safety. Includes a limited 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.

18. Best Road Trip: NOS NAJS3T 3-Ton Aluminum Jack Stand Ratchet Style, 2-Pack

If you’re taking a vintage car on a road trip and need to do something like crawl under the car and wire up a hanging exhaust with a coat hanger, you need to bring a small, light floor jack and a set of jack stands. On the one hand, the Torin T43004s work well because they are made of aluminium and have bases that can be taken off to make them smaller when packed. However, the small size of their bases is a concern if you need to use them on a surface that isn’t a perfectly level garage floor.

The NOS NAJS3T is a four-legged aluminium stand with a toothed lifting post. It has a more traditional look. Note that it doesn’t have a locking pin, which was common before the HF recall. However, if you leave the floor jack in place as a backup, which you should always do, I’d choose its larger, more stable base over the locking pin.

19. Compact: BIG RED T43202 Torin Steel Jack Stands: 3 Ton 

The Torin BIG RED T43202 lightweight jack stands are used to support your car after lifting it with a jack. It is made of high-quality forged steel and has a welded frame for durability. It can handle a wide range of cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks. The height can be changed from 11-1/4″ to 16-3/4″, and it can hold up to 3 tons (6,000 lb). The sawtooth design of a multi-position ratchet bar lets you change the height quickly and lock it in place.

20. RJS-3T Jack Stand

This heavy-duty jack stands can hold up to 3 tons when used together. The tough ratchet ladder clicks into place with a loud sound. At each ratchet point, there is a thin but strong pawl that can easily handle the rated lift capacity.

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Jack Stand Facts

Some people might think that jack stands are harder to use because if you don’t know where your car’s lift points are, this equipment might not be the best choice, unless you do your research. Set the parking brake and block the wheels that will stay on the ground, if any. Use your floor jack to raise the car, and then put the stands under the right lift points. Lower the system until the jacks can hold the car on their own, and you’re ready to work.

One benefit of jack stands is that you don’t have to move the car, which makes them great for tight spaces. They also give you more freedom of movement and make it easy to take off wheels when you need to work on the brakes or change the tires. One problem is that there is less room for error, and jacks require more accuracy and time. If you don’t put the stand in a safe place, the car could fall to the ground if you move it the wrong way.

5 Things to Know Before Buying and Using Jack Stands

• The most important thing to know about jack stands is that you should never crawl under a car that isn’t being held up by at least one. As I said at the beginning of this article, there are many reasons why car jacks can break, and you should never be under a car or truck when it falls. Work hard and smart, but the most important thing is to work safely.
• There are different kinds of jack-stands. Many have lift mechanisms that work by ratcheting, others use locking pins, and some are telescopic and use a screw to change the height. All of these arrangements work, but the ratcheting one is probably the most common and easiest to use.
• Jack stands can be made of different things, but steel and aluminium are the most common ones. Most heavy-duty units are made of the former, and there are lighter versions of the latter.
• There are a lot of different jack stands on the market, and there’s one for almost every budget. There are models that are very cheap for people who work on cars in their garages, and there are also models that can handle the abuse of professional garages. If you can buy a floor jack so you can work on your car, you should also be able to buy the stands that go with it.
• When using a jack stand, or a car jack for that matter, it’s best to put it on a solid surface like concrete. You could try to cheat by putting wood or other things under the bases, but that’s a big risk. If you try to use jack stands on dirt or grass, they could sink into the ground or tip to one side, which would cause the car to fall.

Are Jack Stands Safe?

If you use them right and don’t put too much on them, they’re safe. Always put jack stands on a concrete surface that is level. The main dangers come from a) using them on asphalt and having them sink into it, especially on a warm day, and b) pushing and shoving the car (like when installing a transmission) and setting up a resonance that can cause the car to fall off the stands. The safest way to use jack stands is to raise the car with a floor jack, set it on the stands, and then leave the floor jack in place as a backup.

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Jack Stands: Pros and Cons

The traditional jack and jack stand takes a lot longer to set up correctly. You have to find the jack points, lift, set the jack stand, let go and repeat. Now that you have a jack, you can take off wheels or tires and just lift up one side if you need to.

Pros:

• Can raise one wheel or one side of the car.
• Can take off wheels and tires and do any job.

Cons:

• Needs to buy both a jack and jack stands.
• Can be dangerous if not set up or jacked up right.
• The long process of lifting a car the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jack Stands

What jack stands should I use?

You should only buy 2-ton (4,000-pound) jack stands if your car is small and light. Buy a 3-ton (6,000-pound) jack that stands for a large or medium-sized car or SUV. If you work on a truck or large SUV often, buy jack stands that can hold up to 5 or 6 tons, or 10,000 or 12,000 pounds.

Why are jack stands used?

The jack is used to lift the car, while the jack stand keeps the car from moving. Make sure to put the jack stand in a safe place that can hold the weight of the car without letting it slide off.

Which are better ramps or jack stands?

Ramps cost less, are safer, and are easy to use. They can be used to change the oil and are better for beginners than jacks, which are better for more experienced mechanics. The jacking equipment makes it easier to do more complicated repairs, like working on the brakes, the exhaust, or rotating the tires.

Are jack stands safer than a jack?

Jack stands are not used for lifting cars. Instead, they give a raised vehicle a safe, fixed place to rest. If you use a pair of jack stands every time you lift a car, the chances of you getting hurt by a falling car are much lower. Just raise the car on a jack and lower it onto a jack stand or stands.

Is a 2-ton jack stand enough for a truck?

Most sedans and small cars will only need a two-ton jack to lift a corner. For a pickup truck or SUV, that rating might need to be doubled (to four tons) to give you the safety margin you need.

What makes Jack stands to fail?

It’s not very likely that a jack stand will fail. They are made of pretty solid metal and can usually hold more weight than they are rated for. On the other hand, it’s easy for a user to make a mistake. Common problems include not being in the right place on the ground or in the vehicle, or having too soft ground.

Should I keep Jack Stands in my car?

Bevacqua says that you should add a set of jack stands to your tool kit and that you should always leave your floor jack under the car while you work. For that floor jack to be safe, it needs to be rated to hold at least 75% of the weight of your vehicle.

How high can you jack up a car?

Depending on the jack, it should only take between three and ten pumps. Don’t raise the car higher than necessary. Lifting the tire a few inches off the ground is enough to take off the wheel and fix a flat, check the brakes or suspension, or change a wheel that has come loose.