Tricks to keep jack and jack stands from sinking in asphalt

[mroneeyedboh]

So I have a newer asphalt driveway and I have the jack sink a little bit. Had me thinking, how do you guys keep stuff from sinking? Just use metal platform under the equipment? Doea it have to be a certain thickness or just around 1/8" or so? Should I use wood maybe? What about lexan? Maybe something is better than nothing?

Problem I have is I'm lifting a diesel truck, and well that's a lot of weight...

 

[WWShop]

I would think a 3/4" piece of plywood would work, but I don't lift anything heavy like a diesel truck.

 

[beakie]

pieces of plywood
either attached to bottom, or near by to slide under if/when need be

 

[ForceFed70]

Plywood. 1/2" is usually fine.

 

[dewalt378g]

I have an asphalt driveway too. I always throw down some plywood under the front jack wheels and/or the stand. You don't need much, maybe a square foot or so. 1/2" ply would be the minimum for me (6k lb 1/2 ton pickup), but I usually use 3/4 since I have a lot of it around. You would probably use at least 3/4" ply or 1/8" steel plate. One thing not to do is use dimensional lumber as it can split out and cause the jack to shift, stick with the plywood. I don't know about lexan. I think that would crack out.

One thing that I want to do some day is weld some large washers or metal disks to the feet of my jack stands. Some stands are actually built this way.

 

[zkling]

Get some 1/4" or greater steel steel plate for the jack to work on. Weld small pads to the current feet of your jack stands to decrease the pressure. Plywood and lexan will not reliably hold up to the contact stress of the small diameter wheels on a jack, especially on a hot day when the asphalt is rather soft.

 

[ForceFed70]

Get some 1/4" or greater steel steel plate for the jack to work on.

That's a minimum 60lbs of "pain in the *** to move"

 

[zkling]

That's a minimum 60lbs of "pain in the *** to move"

Try more like 30-40lbs minimum, depending on the track and wheel base of the jack.

 

[ForceFed70]

Try more like 30-40lbs minimum, depending on the track and wheel base of the jack.

OK, but then it's PITA to center the jack on it. Especially when you need to allow the jack to roll 6"

1/4" plate weights something like 10lbs a square foot. 3 square feet is about what would be required if the jack is perfectly centered. For something that you don't have to screw around with positioning 3x you're going to want about 6 sqft (which is only 18" x 48") and you're looking at 60lbs.

Face it, 1/4" plate is a bad idea. It's heavy and awkward to pick up/move. Plywood works so much better for this.

 

[zkling]

With that same train of thought, jack stands are heavy and take up space. More often than not the jack will hold the vehicle up.

 

[dadsEH]

Boring

 

[JJThrasher]

16 gauge sheet metal works fine. 1/4" plate is just stupid unless you're on gravel or dirt.

 

[BearsFan315]

buddy of mine here at work, welded on some round disc plates on each foot. thought he was crazy but they work. do NOT sink into the asphalt or concrete !!

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have some 1/2 plywood pieces pre cut for this. Lifts my F250 7.3 fine, even on hot days with no marks in my driveway and leaving it on stands for days at a time.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Thanks.

I have some 1/8” steel sheets here, I can use.

 

[In The Doghouse]

With that same train of thought, jack stands are heavy and take up space. More often than not the jack will hold the vehicle up.

What??!!! Hope you are joking. That one time not and you're squished.

 

[torqueman2002]

With that same train of thought, jack stands are heavy and take up space. More often than not the jack will hold the vehicle up.

That's funny, but someone might take you seriously. Most everyone knows jacks are for lifting only, stands are for holding up the vehicle.

For the jack to roll on, I use a 'street' sign. The one I use is a bit small, a directional arrow.

I'd really like something a bit longer.

For holding up my Sierra 1500 gas, I use 1/2" plywood under 5-ton stands.

Be safe.

 

[csp]

Plywood and lexan will not reliably hold up to the contact stress of the small diameter wheels on a jack, especially on a hot day when the asphalt is rather soft.

Plywood will absolutely hold up just fine.