2008 Pilot - Jack and Stands?

[cwhecker3]

Hi all-
I would like to know your thoughts on a good jack to use with my 2008 Pilot?

1) Floor jack or Barrel jack

2) What size floor jack would be sufficient?
They typically make 2 ton, 2-1/4 ton and 3 ton, etc.
Considering the pilot weighs about 5500 pounds (a little more than 2-1/2 tons), do I need a 3 ton jack?
This may sound like a crazy question, but when you jack a vehicle you typically do one end at a time to do your work OR you do one end, put it on stands and then lift the other end and put it on stands.
So, you are only lifting roughly half (I know the front weighs a bit more) when you jack it up.
So, does the jack rating size (2 ton, etc) refer to the total weight of the vehicle or just what you are actually lifting?

I just don't want to buy some super heavy duty jack that itself weighs a ton and is hard to move around, when I could use a lighter one for the job.

Thanks for your time,
Chas

[cofetym]

What maintenance do you plan on doing ?

[onu2002]

1) Floor jack...more stable

2) 2-ton would be plenty. Make sure it has enough lift. I got a 3.5-ton, 4.5"-21.375" lift jack at Costco (Arcan XL35R Arcan Professional Tools), and it's a very nice jack. It does weigh a ton (101#), so if you're planning to transport it a lot, like to take to buddy's place or the track, get something else. If you also own a low-to-the-ground car, like my S2000, this is a great jack to have. I lift the Pilot one end at a time and put it up on 4 jack stands.

[rgillie66]

Originally Posted by cwhecker3

Considering the pilot weighs about 5500 pounds (a little more than 2-1/2 tons), do I need a 3 ton jack?
So, you are only lifting roughly half (I know the front weighs a bit more) when you jack it up.

Curb weight on a 2008 Pilot EX-L 4WD is 4524lbs, with a 55/45 weight distibution that's about 2500 front, 2000 rear. Buy yourself a lightweight 2 ton floor jack and some decent stands.

[samc]

Usually you can see a sale on those 2 1/2 ton trolley jack and a pair of jackstands for like $40. Wait for the right time and buy something like that.

I bought my set like 9 years ago and the jack broke ofcourse but the jackstands are still beating strong.

Here's a good deal.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

[NJGuy]

Originally Posted by samc

Here's a good deal.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

I don't think the jack in that set has a lift height high enough to get the Pilot's wheels off the ground (when lifting from the front or rear central jacking points). I'd recommend a jack that has a lift height of at least 19". The one I have is a 3 ton model that lifts up to 21"; but for stability purposes, I prefer to try not to raise the vehicle to the jack's maximum lift height anyway.

Most of the 2 ton models sold at Sears probably don't have a sufficient lift height for the Pilot, so if you're buying from there you'd probably have to get a 3 ton model. Here are a few of the cheaper ones:
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
The first one is 46 lbs, the second one is 96 lbs. Mine is around 53 lbs or so.

There are also many other brands at other stores you can shop for with different prices, specs, and features. You should be able to find something at Advance Auto Parts, Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, or some online retailer (shipping might be pricey though). Just make sure the one you purchase has a sufficient lift height.

[cwhecker3]

Thank you all for your insight on this subject. I will be doing a complete brake job in the near future, so I plan to get the entire vehicle up on jackstands.

Wish me luck!!!

[rocky]

Don't forget to set the ebrake and use wheel chocks on the wheels on the ground

[mclairmo]

I never have the entire vehicle on stands unless really necessary. Safer to leave other three wheels on the ground. You don't need more than one wheel off at a time to do brakes. Always leave as many wheels on as possible and even put the one wheel you have off under the vehicle so that if it goes down, it won't go all the way down. Be safe.

[onu2002]

As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing unsafe about having the entire vehicle of 4 jackstands. I've done it several times. Sure, there's nothing unsafe about having one corner at a time on a jackstand either, but I see no reason to not have all 4. Besides, it's kinda tricky to rotate the tires without all 4 corners off the ground, especially if you want to rotate the rear tires to the opposite corners.

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by onu2002

As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing unsafe about having the entire vehicle of 4 jackstands. I've done it several times. Sure, there's nothing unsafe about having one corner at a time on a jackstand either, but I see no reason to not have all 4. Besides, it's kinda tricky to rotate the tires without all 4 corners off the ground, especially if you want to rotate the rear tires to the opposite corners.

You may want to re-phrase. Of course, having all four wheels off the ground is more unsafe than having only one off the ground, assuming you are under the vehicle at the time. If not under it, then who cares, you are correct. However, when I am under the vehicle, I want as many tires on the ground as possible and as much stuff under the vehicle as possible. Between earthquakes, idiot drivers, idiot neighbors and who knows what else, you never know what might bring a car down on you. As for rotations, my tire place does them for free. I'd rather let them risk their lives. I'm too old to screw around with rotating tires anymore.

[onu2002]

Okay, as long as you don't work on your car in the middle of the road, and Refridgerator Perry isn't using your car as a tackling dummy, and you don't live on a fault line, then having the entire vehicle on 4 jackstands is plenty safe.

[xGS]

HYJACKS.COM/WHICH FLOOR JACK IS BEST FOR ME PAGE?/wichjac.htm

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by onu2002

Okay, as long as you don't work on your car in the middle of the road, and Refridgerator Perry isn't using your car as a tackling dummy, and you don't live on a fault line, then having the entire vehicle on 4 jackstands is plenty safe.

I live on a fault line and have worked on cars in the road, not quite the middle but close enough.