Changing a tire on a lifted truck can be more challenging than on a regular truck due to the increased ground clearance. However, with the right tools and technique, you can safely jack up a lifted truck and change a flat tire. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process step-by-step.
Page Contents
- 1 Things You Will Need
- 2 Safety Tips
- 3 Locating the Lift Points
- 4 Positioning the Jack
- 5 Raising the Lifted Truck
- 6 Removing the Lug Nuts
- 7 Removing and Replacing the Flat Tire
- 8 Lowering the Lifted Truck
- 9 Finishing Up
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10.1 What size jack do I need for a lifted truck?
- 10.2 Where do I place the jack stands under a lifted truck?
- 10.3 Should I still use a jack with jack stands? Yes, leave the jack in place and raised under the lift point as an extra precaution when using jack stands. Only lower it once the stands are removed. How much torque should lug nuts be tightened to?
- 11 Conclusion
Things You Will Need
Before jacking up a lifted truck and changing a tire, make sure you have the following tools and equipment:
- Jack designed for lifted trucks – A regular floor jack may not have enough lift height or weight capacity. You need one made for lifted trucks.
- Jack stands – At least 2 tall jack stands rated for the weight of your truck. Must be able to reach lifting points.
- Wheel chocks – To block the wheels that will remain on the ground.
- Lug wrench – To loosen and tighten the lug nuts.
- Torque wrench – To tighten lug nuts to the manufacturer’s spec after changing the tire.
- Gloves – For protecting your hands while working.
- Spare tire – Make sure it is properly inflated with good tread depth.
In addition to the equipment above, make sure you are parked on level, stable ground that can support the weight of the lifted truck when jacked up. Avoid soft soil or asphalt.
Safety Tips
When jacking up a lifted truck and changing a tire, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Chock the wheels – Use wheel chocks on the tires across the vehicle from the one you are changing. This prevents accidental movement.
- Engage parking brake – Set the parking brake to avoid the truck rolling.
- Use jack stands – Always use high-quality jack stands rated for the truck’s weight as a safety measure when jacking up.
- Watch pinch points – Be cautious when lifting and moving around a raised truck to avoid injury.
- Use spotters – Have someone watch and provide stability if needed when raising the vehicle.
- Lift one corner at a time – Lifting one side or corner completely minimizes risk of the truck falling.
Following basic safety precautions will help prevent injuries and accidents when jacking up your lifted truck.
Locating the Lift Points
The first step in safely jacking up a lifted truck is finding the proper jacking points. Most lifted trucks have reinforced lifting points or pads underneath the frame. Consult your owner’s manual to find the designated lift points for jacking up your specific make and model.
Here are some tips for locating the lift points on a lifted truck:
- Look for triangular lift points on the frame near the tires/wheels.
- Feel for raised pads welded onto the bottom of the frame rail. They may have an embossed arrow pointing to them.
- The points are typically located inwards from the wheels but may be directly under on some models.
- If you installed the lift kit, think back to where the original jacking points were.
- Crawl under the truck if needed to get a clear view of the frame.
Take the time to properly locate the reinforced lifting points before attempting to jack up your lifted truck. This will provide strength and stability when raising the vehicle.
Positioning the Jack
With your truck parked on level, stable ground, follow these steps to position the jack in preparation for lifting:
- Place wheel chocks against the tires diagonally across from the tire you are changing. For example, if changing the front left tire, chock the right rear tire.
- Engage the parking brake to keep the truck from shifting.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Identify the proper lift point near the tire you are changing.
- Carefully position the jack head directly under the lift point. Make sure it is centered for stability.
- Ensure the jack base is completely on the ground and not on an angle. Wider jack bases provide more stability.
- With the jack positioned vertically under the frame pad, prepare to start lifting the truck.
Proper jack positioning is critical to avoid frame damage or the truck slipping. Take your time to place it directly under the reinforced lift point before lifting.
Raising the Lifted Truck
Once the jack is correctly positioned, here are the steps for safely raising your lifted truck:
- With spotters watching the lift points, slowly crank the jack handle or trigger the hydraulic pump.
- As the tire begins to lift off the ground, frequently check under the vehicle to make sure the jack head aligns perfectly with the lift point.
- Continue raising the jack slowly and steadily until the tire is completely off the ground. Go high enough to provide clearance to remove the lug nuts and tire.
- Once lifted, slide a tall jack stand under a solid point on the frame near the lift point. This serves as a safety redundancy.
- Carefully lower the jack until the truck’s frame rests securely on the jack stand’s saddle.
- Leave the jack in position under the lift point as an additional precaution against collapse.
By taking it slow and using jack stands, you can safely raise your lifted truck enough to change the tire. Have someone watch the process and provide support if the truck starts to shift or lean.
Removing the Lug Nuts
With the truck raised and secured on jack stands, the next step is to remove the lug nuts so the wheel can be taken off.
- Use the lug wrench to begin loosening the lug nuts while the tire is still touching the ground if possible.
- Once raised, finish removing the lug nuts the rest of the way by turning them counter-clockwise.
- Remove the lug nuts completely and set them aside where they won’t get lost or contaminated.
- Mark which lug nuts came from which studs to simplify re-installation if the studs are different lengths.
- With the lug nuts removed, you can now take the tire off the truck.
Never trust the jack alone to support the truck’s weight when changing a tire. The jack stands secured under the solid frame prevent sudden drops.
Removing and Replacing the Flat Tire
After removing the lug nuts, follow these instructions for removing the flat tire and replacing it with the spare:
- Pull the flat tire straight off the hub to remove it. Set it aside.
- Inspect the exposed brake components for damage before installing the spare.
- Lift and align the spare tire with the wheel mounting studs.
- Push it evenly against the hub until flush and centered.
- Hand thread some lug nuts onto the studs to temporarily hold the spare tire in place.
Avoid letting the rotor and brake components rest on the ground when the wheel is off, as dirt and debris can contaminate the pads and rotors.
Lowering the Lifted Truck
Once the spare tire is installed, it’s time to lower the truck back down to the ground. Here are the steps:
- Remove the jack stands from under the frame by raising them slowly.
- Turn the jack handle to slowly lower the jack until the tire rests on the ground.
- Continue lowering until the truck’s full weight is resting on the tires again.
- Remove the jack and pack it away once the truck is fully lowered and stable.
- Remove the wheel chocks from the other tires before driving away.
Always lower vehicles slowly and carefully to avoid slipping or abrupt drops. Never get under a raised truck or attempt to change tires on an incline or soft ground.
Finishing Up
The last steps are to fully secure the new spare tire and check your work:
- Hand tighten the lug nuts in a diagonal or star pattern.
- Use the torque wrench to tighten lug nuts to the manufacturer’s torque spec in sequence.
- Check that the spare is centered on the hub and flush with the wheel opening.
- Carefully test drive a short distance to ensure proper installation.
- Have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Following the proper jacking, lifting, and tire replacement procedures will allow you to safely change a flat on a lifted truck. Using quality jacks, jack stands, wheel chocks, and tools designed for larger raised trucks minimizes the risks. With practice and caution, you can take care of a simple tire change yourself and get back on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about changing a tire on a lifted truck:
What size jack do I need for a lifted truck?
Choose a jack with a lifting height that matches or exceeds the height of your truck’s lift kit suspension. A minimum weight capacity of 2 tons is ideal for most full-size lifted trucks.
Where do I place the jack stands under a lifted truck?
Jack stands should go under reinforced areas of the truck’s frame near the designated lift points. Check the frame to find areas that can safely support the weight without bending.
Should I still use a jack with jack stands?
Yes, leave the jack in place and raised under the lift point as an extra precaution when using jack stands. Only lower it once the stands are removed.
How much torque should lug nuts be tightened to?
Consult your owner’s manual or torque specification sticker usually located in the door jamb. Torque varies by make/model but typically falls between 100-150 ft-lbs for most trucks.
Can I jack up all 4 corners of a truck at once?
No, only lift one corner at a time and use jack stands under secure points before raising another corner. Lifting all 4 wheels simultaneously is extremely dangerous.
Conclusion
Changing a tire on a lifted truck brings added challenges due to the increased ground clearance. Using the proper tools and techniques will allow you to safely jack up and support the truck on jack stands in order to replace a flat tire. Make sure to locate the designated lift points on the frame, lift slowly with jack stands in place, remove the lug nuts, swap the tire, lower carefully, and properly torque the lug nuts. With caution and some mechanical skill, you can tackle a tire change on a lifted truck. Knowing the correct jacking and lifting process helps ensure safety and avoid damage.