We should talk about jacking points... - General Technical Questions - Tech Section

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So just where should the Ranger be lifted? Where should it be supported? Where should it not be supported? and why?

These are good questions that i feel some have no clue about, others have bad clues and others are confused.I'm sorry i don't have all the answers, and some of them vary depending on the year of Ranger as well as model of Ranger.

1) Ford say don't lift the back by the differential - Why?
2) Front jacking points on the 2002 Ranger with torsion bars are little fingers extending forward of the wishbones.
3) Where are the chassis lift/support points at the front with torsion bars?
4) Where is a good lift place at the back if you're looking to then support on jack stands?

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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2018 11:26 pm

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MaDMaXX wrote: So just where should the Ranger be lifted? Where should it be supported? Where should it not be supported? and why?

These are good questions that i feel some have no clue about, others have bad clues and others are confused.I'm sorry i don't have all the answers, and some of them vary depending on the year of Ranger as well as model of Ranger.

1) Ford say don't lift the back by the differential - Why?

They say this? Makes no sense. The trucks weight is already supported here naturally...

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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2018 11:38 pm

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Hails from the land of rust!

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I have no idea, but they specifically make a point of calling this out in more than one place.

I will say that it does not hold the trucks weight, it is just a transfer joint, not structural.

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 06:54 am

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JAMMAN

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I lift mine..... wherever I want :)

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 09:36 am

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mhoward
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Depends on what I am lifting it for. For instance, if I were lifting to replace the control arms or other suspension parts, I would find a flat frame area. Obviously, you would never use the engine or transmission to lift it. As for not raising using the differential "pumpkin": yes, Ford says not to, but I have no clue why. As a mechanic back in the 70's and 80's, that was standard practice (and I worked at dealerships as well as independent repair shops). My best advice is to just use common sense and don't get yourself killed by carelessness.

BTW, good thread idea, MaXX. :)

Last edited on Fri Jan 19th, 2018 09:38 am by mhoward

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 12:56 pm

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Yeah, I've seen some fords list the diff as a valid lift area, so I can only imagine when they say not to, that it's due to the mounting type they used (not structural?)

Now, torsion bar; that really makes a mess of available flat chassis points at the front, hence asking for ideas.

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 01:23 pm

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Mike69

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I lift the rear of ALL of our vehicles from the center of the rear axle housing & put jack stands under the axle tubes, I lift the front from the center of the frame that the lower control arms bolt to on my Ranger & my wife's Explorer or if I am just pulling a tire off I will put the floor jack under the lower control arm & put a jack stand under the frame.

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 01:25 pm

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mhoward
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So far, it appears we all do it basically the same way.

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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2018 04:12 pm

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Yeah I have noticed over here that there are traditional jacking and stand points that everyone uses regardless of vehicle design changes.

Everyone has to remember the point they jack or stand, needs to be weight bearing or built for that purpose.

So for example, axles are not weight bearing, hubs are.
Diffs can be, but that seems to depend how they themselves are mounted.

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