
The pin, however, is easy to replace if it ever bends, corrodes, or rusts, unlike the ratchet style where the entire jack stand has to be replaced if the mechanism becomes compromised. This type of mechanism doesn’t allow for adjustments as small as the ratchet style, such as to compensate for uneven flooring. The second style of jack stand uses a high tensile steel locking pin to hold the jack in place. When this happens, you will have to replace the entire stand. The only disadvantage is that, in some cases, the rolling pin and pawl (or locking mechanism) can eventually rust through. These mechanisms are simple and fast to use and allow small height adjustments to be made. Ratchet-style locking mechanisms use an angled bar to hold the stand’s height in place. There are a couple of different types of mechanisms. One of the most important features to look for is how the jack stand adjusts and locks. At the same time, if you have a tall truck or SUV and a low-ceiling garage, you may have concerns about minimum lift height. How much clearance do you need, and how much do you have room for? It’s one thing to lift up a vehicle high enough to change a tire it’s another to lift it high enough to have room to spend hours working under it. Lift heightĪnother thing you should consider is the lift height of the jack stand. On the other hand, in a confined work area, a large base stand can get in the way. On the one hand, you want a base area as wide as possible for the best stability. Base areaĪ jack stand’s base area is a two-edged sword. For the strongest jack stands, try to find a model with the fewest number of weld points. Weld pointsĪny time you weld two pieces of metal together, you introduce a weak point. For example, if your vehicle weighs two tons, each of your jack stands should be rated for one-and-a-half tons. Ideally, each jack stand should be rated to hold three-quarters of your vehicle’s weight on its own. While some individuals like aluminum stands for lightweight work, especially since they weigh less and don’t rust, for the heaviest-duty jobs, you should go with cast iron or steel. Most jack stands are made from steel, cast iron, or aluminum.

The first thing to consider when choosing a car jack stand is the material it’s made of and how it’s constructed. If you’re working on soft ground, heavy-duty plywood under the jack stands can help disperse the weight.
