Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

I don't want this to be a bashing post. I'm posting this because, I care. I had a friend of mine got killed tonight. He was not using jackstands, and his truck fell on him. He was not a drag racer, just someone who had clean rides, and like to have fun with his trucks. Just wanted to put this on here.

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.We sometimes lose sight of common sense and pay dearly for it.Again sorry for the loss of your friend.
I lost a friend about 15 years ago.Same situation but it was an NYPD Emerency Service
truck he was working on.He had jack stands supporting the truck but something went wrong.His nickname was "Roadside Larry".The emergency cops held him in high regard for the work he did for them.

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

Many of you know I was a paramedic for many years. One call that sticks out in my mind was to a junk yard where a guy was removing a starter from an old Thunderbird, he had it suspended from the front bumper by a chain. The chain broke and I can only hope he never knew what hit him. When we lifted the car the guy was broken in half. No jack stands were used, but should have been. I will never forget it! Jim

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

I'm sure we're all guilty of using just a hydraulic jack for a "quick" under car procedure. It takes an unfortunate reminder of what can happen to realign priorities and take the extra 15 seconds to stay safe. And cinder/concrete blocks AREN'T safe jackstands!! They can (and do) fail suddenly and unexpectedly.

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

Sorry to hear that Cody. Will keep you and your friend in our prayers.

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

That is a bad deal. Sorry about your friend CP. Jackstands have a very real need. Cinder blocks, and logs have no place under any car. I saw logs under a truck in New Orleans a couple yrs ago. Guy asked me why I took his picture, working on his truck. I said so some one can identify you later...

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

Hate to hear about your friend. I have seen people go to crawl under car with no stands,ask what about stands,they reply just gonna take a second to do whatever they are doing,I say that is longer than it takes for car to fall,usaully will get stands then
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

Very sorry to hear about ur friend. I watched a lot at E-Town Nats that did not use stands on the race cars.

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

I get worried about jackstands if they are extended too far; a side load or one failing (who knows how strong that cast Y shaped top to the stalk is?) can topple the rest of them. I also use 15" or 16" wheels welded edge to edge to get 12" to 16" height and put them under the frame with wood to get the right height and more friction against the frame sliding if something goes wrong. It is a balance of the opposing factors "there is no end to concern" and "you can't be too safe."

Re: Jackstands, Please Use Them
 

I've got some 16"x12" treated timbers in 24" lengths that work great stacked on top of each other. No possibility of failure