What is factory jack rated for?

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AlaskaSafari
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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What is factory jack rated for?

Post by AlaskaSafari »

I just bought an 96 Safari and it is missing the factory jack and tools.
What is the factory jack rated for? What would be safe replacement rating for a jack?
I'd hate to get a flat and not have a jack with me.
1996 GMC Safari SLT AWD

Kidhauler
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Re: What is factory jack rated for?

Post by Kidhauler »

I would hit the auto wreckers and grab a stock jack and tire iron and wrench. You will need the stock tire iron to get the spare tire to winch down.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
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300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: What is factory jack rated for?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I carry a small floor jack rated at 2.25 tons in my truck just for the camper. It isn't too big and is in a plastic case. It is overkill for the Astro's but works well. I bought mine at Sears. It's a Craftsman brand.

Your best bet is to hit the pick n pull for a stock set. They store nicely in the side cubby hole.
Current rides:
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2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

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Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Herbie
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Re: What is factory jack rated for?

Post by Herbie »

You can also go bottle jack, if you prefer.

After my lift, the stock scissor jack (even the newer one with the "extension" pad on it), didn't have much throw for certain lifting operations. I could just about get a tire up by lifting at the axle or lower arm, but just barely.

When I saw this article on the Bogart Safe-Jack system, I figured out what I needed.

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With a very small amount of work, you can mount a bottle jack upright in the stock jack cubby:

Image

These pictures are for my cheap Harbor Freight jack, but I've since put a dedicated 6-ton Craftsman jack into the van. Depending on the jack, you might need to add a little clearance at the back of the cubby:

Image

Just a little touch with a round file and I was able to nestle the bottle jack base into the stock hold-downs:
Image

Then I drilled a hole, added a carriage bolt, a big washer, and a wing nut, and I was good to go.

Most of the rest of the Bogart extension kit (in its bag) will fit in the remaining space in the cubby (sans the baseplates, if you opt for them). I also got the "jack stand adapter", so this stuff is stored elsewhere.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
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