SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum banner

What jack stand brand/size/capacity are you all using on your XC90?

11K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  Peelem 
#1 ·
Guys and gals,

This "large vehicle" thing is a new transition for me. Not interested in using a dinky emergency jack anymore (cannot believe I made it through so many DIYs using one), so I'm about to hit up the local Harb0r Fre1ght for a nice floor jack.

Thing is, I don't know what jack stands would be sufficient as I've never owned a truck before. I currently have two "Mack" brand jack stands, each with "3 ton" etched into the metal. They only go up about 16-17" high, and a quick placement next to my XC90 suggests this isn't high enough. They work fine with the V50 and my ex-BMWs but they seem to small for the XC90. I don't care to get crushed while doing brake rotors. :D
 
#2 ·
I have small garage with limited space so I still use the small 2-ton jack stand and 2-ton floor jack.
You are correct that the ground clerance for XC90 is high, I just add 2 pieces of 2x10 wood and it is good.

You can see them in the Parking Brake DIY that I wrote last week:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=73074

I also have a screw-type bottle jack. The beauty of this jack is that: it can be used as an add-on.
For example, if I place the usual jackstand under the subframe and just want to add something else for safety, I just slide the bottle jack underneath the subframe and nudge it up hand tight, then turn the screwdriver a bit so it is firm.

You can see screw-type bottle jack ---> it is on the far left in the photo:

 
#3 ·
I use the harbor freight one. It lifts two wheels off the ground on the XC90 no problem, and it still low profile enough for my Cosworth.
 
#6 ·
Which harbor freight one lifts the XC90 off both wheels? Is that just using the standard front/rear jack point? I need THIS jack, lol.
I also will use it with the V50 but that has something like 6" clearance so I should be ok.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I use 3 ton jack stands and a 12 ton bottle jack from Harbor freight, with their rubber wheel chocks. 60 bucks or so for everything. We have an aluminum 1.5t racing jack for the s40. It's small enough to keep in the car but works well for what it is. I got that for 60 bucks on sale a few years ago to use with my audi.

I don't use wood or anything for extra lift with these on mine. I leave the wheels under the car as a fail safe in case it falls. But a series of final destination type stuff would have to happen for it to fall lol

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-bottle-jack-66480.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/solid-rubber-wheel-chock-69853.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Ton-Steel-Jack-Stands-61196.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62160.html

Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
I use 4 3 ton craftsman jack stands and a 6 ton jack. Smaller would work, but we have a 10' hydraulic plow that weighs 2k lbs alone, then add the truck it's on... We also have 4 5 ton stands, but I haven't felt the need to use them.
 
#13 ·
Hey everyone - THANK YOU for the outpouring of info!

I stopped by HF during their black friday sale and picked up the 3-ton low-profile jack for $97. Haven't used it on the XC90 yet, but it made small work of lifting my father-in-law's Honda Civic when we replaced the radiator this weekend! Downside is that it's huge (72 lbs?) but I wanted a beefy jack, so no complaints from me :)
 
#14 ·
Yeah that's why I got a bottle jack for the xc90. I live in a 2nd floor apt so lugging that thing up and down the stairs wasn't an option for me. My friend has one though, their jacks are very well made for the price. I wish their aluminum floor jacks were cheaper for the higher rated ones cause they shave off 30lbs. But I'm happy with the bottle jack and the smaller aluminum one for the s40.

Sent from my HTC M9 using Tapatalk
 
#15 ·
This is seemingly an old thread, but I'll add my two cents.

Setting the 4 jack stands for a level body height of about 18"-20" would be a good match for a floor jack with a large diameter cradle and a 20" rise. The oil pan and bottom of the engine is about even with the Corvair body. A jack with a 20"rise coupled with a small sheet of ¾" plywood like this models by Arcan or JEGS https://wheelstips.com/best-floor-jacks with dimensions that are about equal to the bottom of the engine would protect the pan and bell housing, and would also support the underside of the sheet metal on either side of the oil pan to support the engine with a stack of 2x4s to serve as dunnage to support the powertrain off of the floor so that the floor jack can be lowered and removed from under the engine. This frees the floor jack to help support the transaxle so that it can be unbolted and carefully pulled away from the engine.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top