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Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her

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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:01 PM
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bigvig's Avatar
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Year: 1999 Sport
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Default Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her

So Ive never put my XJ up on blocks. Only time Ive used jack stands theyve been under the axle. So, what/where is the best way to support her under the frame? Ive got jack stands, a pumpkin jack and concrete blocks. My driveway is fairly flat as far as driveways go, but I just lifted the rear, threw some concrete blocks under the frame and set her down on them and the blocks tipped forward. Seems like she's too high and with the frame already being on a slight angle, add the slight driveway slope and THEN factor in how high Im lifting her up, and there is quite an angle.

Any ideas would be great, photos even better! Im looking to be as safe as possible. Thanks!
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:08 PM
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I don't seriously recomend any of the ways to support the old gal that my pictures imply, but I've been stuck in the same predicament and you just have to get her up there and make sure she's solid. Give her a shake or two and make sure she's sturdy befor you go climbing under there as well. You could also try doing one side at a time as well. Good luck and don't get squished
Attached Thumbnails Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-3990609809.jpg   Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-3880798966.jpg   Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-247278744.jpg   Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-2897377858.jpg  
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:17 PM
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OK, NOW we're getting somewhere. One side at a time!?!?!?!?! I can do that? I was wondering if I could. If I just jack up the frame on one side, throw some blocks under her and let the wheel hang thats legit? I dont need to get the whole axle in the air at once?

If I lift the whole rear, should I use concrete blocks or jack stands as the main support and WHERE under the frame is the best place to put them? Ill use the other as backup.

And thanks. Im trying to not get squished. I told my wife when I was 16 I never thought twice about climbing under a vehicle. At 34 with a 3 1/2 year old, I want to make sure everything is perfect.
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:24 PM
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Yeah you can do one side at a time if you refer to the first pc of the jeep on the bottle jack on the rock(had to do it on the side of the road in the rain epic fail) you can see I supported it right on the "frame" rail by the front leaf bolt, I even left the wheel on when I did it.
Attached Thumbnails Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-2585712007.jpg   Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-89054437.jpg   Swapping my leafs, best way to lift/support her-image-3578699488.jpg  
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:25 PM
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And if your going to use your cinder blocks and there tipping back on you try laying them long ways under the frame rail so they can't rock back
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:41 PM
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don't use cinder blocks! Use jack stands, hydraulic jacks etc.
Make sure you chock your front and back wheels!! Better safe than dead or a "crip" for life.
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:47 PM
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Hey I never said I suggested it, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I prefer blocks of wood myself lol
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Killabrew
don't use cinder blocks! Use jack stands, hydraulic jacks etc.
Make sure you chock your front and back wheels!! Better safe than dead or a "crip" for life.
there are several times that i would say cinderblocks are safer lol.
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 01:58 PM
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I use whatevers handy lol and I'm yet to be a smudge on the pavement note the tractor in previous picture :cheesygrin;
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 02:01 PM
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If you do one side@a time everything lines up easier if you leave everything only finger tight or even a little looser then tighten everything once it's all together
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 02:02 PM
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1 of my cinder blocks broke @1 point on my last job lol be careful
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 02:19 PM
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Put jack stands under the unibody before the leafs spring mount
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 06:48 PM
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Well, I went with the jack stand in front of the front leaf box. Ive got the jack still under it and doubled up cement blocks the long way in front of the jack stand in case.

I got the shackle off along with the u-bolts. No problems really. I broke the main bolts free all the way around before I lifted it just in case. But, for the past 4 hours or better, Ive been stuck on the front bolt. I got it out 1/4" and now its REALLY screwed up.

Ive completely torn a huge patch of skin off the palm of my hand, Im soar as hell, tired as a mother and REALLY pissed off. I THINK whats happened, is the bolt if seized in the bushing sleeve BECAUSE even with a 2 foot cheater bar, I push the bar down as far as I can and when I take the pressure off, it comes back up. So it seems like the sleeve is twisting in the bushing itself.

This is our DD and our only running vehicle right now so Im super screwed. I literally cant do anything. I dont have a torch so I cant heat it. Ive put almost a whole can of PB Blaster on it and nothing. Not sure what else to do. Im wondering if anyone has some recommendations?

I was wondering about maybe cutting the leaf itself near the bushing to get it all out of my way. But Im still not sure how Im going to handle this, and on top of that Ive screwed myself with being able to take it to the local garage. Im HOPING I can just get this side off, put the new stuff on and Im driving it to the garage ASAP so they can do the other side. This has NOT been worth it. What a joke.
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 08:05 PM
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I used a Cherry picker and picked it up my the tow package and then put jack stands under it. easiest way i could think of doing it lol
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