Car Stands

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

Hi Guys,
Looking for advice on recommended spec's for car stands suitable for the Prado. Load capacity, height range, pin or ratchet, etc.
I see Repco have Stanfred Axle stands 2000kg 310-430mm (ASP2000) $69 a pair
Grateful for any advice.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I bought Kingchrome 5t stands from Autobarn. Cannot remember the price but they are good.

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

Thanks mjrandom,
5T is certainly heavy duty (Is this per stand, or per pair?)
Saw TTI 3000kg axlestands at Total Tools. 390-608mm $69 a pair. Ratchet style.

Any feedback would be great

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

Came across some stands on sale at supercheap (sale ends tomorrow). Went for 3000Kg dual pin and screw adj. Wasn't sure about the ratchet stands without a safety pin (although they seem to be the popular choice). $49 a pair, deal done. They also also had some 3000kg for $40 a pair.

Cheers.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

5t each. We have a few 4wds and the others are tall so 3t wouldnt do it.

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

Just make sure you place an off cut of pine or hardwood fence paling or pine timber sleeper between the stand and the part of the car you’re lifting if the points on the stand are a narrow “v” type of shape. Saves the metal on metal contact over a very small surface area of the stand. If height is ever an issue on a lifted Prado when supporting under chassis rails or a cross member, in addition to the placement of timber above, 4 pine fence paling off cuts under the 4 legs of each stand will do the trick to get to a height where a wheel(s) is comfortably off the ground.

Same goes for when using a bottle jack or a trolley jack, use a pine fence paling offcut or two between the jack & whatever part of the car you’re lifting. Even under the rear diff housing. Spread the load a little more and protect from so much weight bearing on a small area of metal on the jack. The same pieces of timber can be used for years.

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

That's great advice about spreading the load to avoid undue pressure on a small area. Got plenty of wood blocks, and some descent metal and wood off cuts too.

Thanks again

[tokhi Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokhi]

Avoid the ratchet type!!! A mechanic friend showed me how dangerous they were if you accidentally knock the handle. 2 tonnes of weight came crashing down on to it's wheels. Wouldn't want to be under if the wheels were off and you under it.
Bought mine from Supercheap 3t each for $39.99 pair. They have a sale every couple of months.

[Guest Close Guest]

Avoid the ratchet type!!! A mechanic friend showed me how dangerous they were if you accidentally knock the handle.

Was that while the weight of the car was on the stand?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Avoid the ratchet type!!! A mechanic friend showed me how dangerous they were if you accidentally knock the handle. 2 tonnes of weight came crashing down on to it's wheels. Wouldn't want to be under if the wheels were off and you under it.
Bought mine from Supercheap 3t each for $39.99 pair. They have a sale every couple of months.

No way either of mine would do that with weight on. Even the little 3t ones I have for cars are locked tight until the weight is off them. I was taking the track car off stands yesterday, could not lift the lever until there was a good 10 mm of clearance above the stand because the lever lifts the centre until the pawl disengages. Either the stands were so worn they shouldnt be used or they were poorly manufactured. Different issue.

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

I think the ratchet type looked great and easy to use.
For me there were a couple of concerns. One concern relates to the quality of what is purchased. If you purchase good quality stands they will serve you well.
However, the ones I looked at (for occasional use) the tooth was not well formed and the weld onto the lever spindle and general finish I think was questionable. I felt more confident getting a set with dual pins.
My second concern is that the weight of the car will prohibit disengaging the tooth, but if I lend them say to the friend down the road and he uses it on something much lighter say rustproofing under his trailer would it be easier to kick the lever and disengage? Not as heavy but still could cause injury.

Eddie

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I have had my box trailer on the stands. No way an accidental knock will disengage the pawl.

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

Good to know. Thanks for clarifying mjrandom.

[tokhi Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokhi]

Yeah it was with the weight of the vehicle and raised until all 4 wheels were about 2inches of the ground. He then knocked the lever with a broom stick and down it came. Can't remember the brand, but they were blue.