UniJack...

[Oaktree]

I bought one of those about 10 years ago, but I don't think it was quite that expensive at the time. I carry it in my truck because I don't trust the cheap OEM screw jacks to change a tire on the side of the road.
It is also handy in combination with my floor jack for rotating tires.

It does seem like a handy gadget, though a bit expensive for what you get.
No, those OEM jacks aren't so great, but they're still a lot better than the old bumper jacks they had back in the 50s/60s. I had an old mid-60s Chevy Impala years ago where there was only about 8" of jack post left when the hook contacted the front bumper, was almost to the top by the time you got the wheel off the ground! Not very stable to say the least.

A lot of modern cars don't have many safe jacking/jackstand points underneath.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. On my wife's car there's what looks like a jack pad underneath, but it's not. Wonder how many owners damaged their cars by trying to jack from that point.

 

[4570Man]

Oriented correctly on a flat solid surface a concrete block has quite an impressive compressive strength...which is compounded with a cap block...

Most people that don’t have better sense than using concrete blocks for jack stands aren’t going to use them right either. Bottom line is concrete blocks should never be used as jack stands.

 

[dstig1]

I ran across these recently too. Had not heard of them before and it looks interesting, but pricey.

The RennStand by Safe Jack

PN: 18104UPC: 854185005967 Rennen means RACE in German. The patented Rennstand is revolutionary because it solves the problem of jacking and supporting in the right spot. It allows jacking and supporting using interchangeable jack pads designed for the vehicle. It’s easy, sets up in seconds and...

safejacks.com

The might be helpful for some of the more difficult to jack cars. My wife's BMW is a bit of a challenge where these might be of benefit.

 

[Jstpssng]

Tires have gotten better over the years, I have to wonder how many people even change them. Many just call AAA. Given the mickey mouse spares which come in vehicles, I can't say that I blame them.

I run 10 plys on both pickups because I hate changing tires... usually in the pouring rain.

 

[Oaktree]

Tires have gotten better over the years, I have to wonder how many people even change them. Many just call AAA. Given the mickey mouse spares which come in vehicles, I can't say that I blame them.

I run 10 plys on both pickups because I hate changing tires... usually in the pouring rain.

Agree, flats are pretty rare these days, it's been forever since I've had one.

 

[/pine]

Most people that don’t have better sense than using concrete blocks for jack stands aren’t going to use them right either. Bottom line is concrete blocks should never be used as jack stands.

Just for the record...I've seen on more than one occasion where a car sitting on typical jack stands can be shoved in a direction that will roll the car/truck right off the jack stands as they fall over...won't ever happen with properly placed CMUs...

 

[4570Man]

Just for the record...I've seen on more than one occasion where a car sitting on typical jack stands can be shoved in a direction that will roll the car/truck right off the jack stands as they fall over...won't ever happen with properly placed CMUs...

Use wood blocks.

 

[Jstpssng]

Use wood blocks.

That's what I've used for years. However, if memory serves me correctly a TBN member was killed a few years ago when the wooden blocks he had his bush hog setting on split, causing the implement to fall on top of him. I use wooden blocks 18" in diameter, leave the floor jack in place, then shove something under the receiver hitch or front end if I need to crawl under it.

Just for the record...I've seen on more than one occasion where a car sitting on typical jack stands can be shoved in a direction that will roll the car/truck right off the jack stands as they fall over...won't ever happen with properly placed CMUs...

That's why I don't use jack stands. Yet any lateral movement which will cause a decent set of stands to fail will likely also cause the blocks to fail.

As mentioned above I like having at least two different support systems in place if I need to crawl under a vehicle. The only exception is when I can do the work with the wheels on and setting on the ground.

 

[4570Man]

Just for the record...I've seen on more than one occasion where a car sitting on typical jack stands can be shoved in a direction that will roll the car/truck right off the jack stands as they fall over...won't ever happen with properly placed CMUs...

I’ve got a set of 12 ton jack stands that I trust but I don’t trust dinky jack stands either. If your vehicle was in any condition to be shoved off its stand by one person it wasn’t safe enough to crawl under regardless of what method you’re using.

 

[LouNY]

I found both concepts interesting but I wouldn't plan I buying either one.
Much of my jacking is for removing wheels usually for my semi-annual tire swaps summers to snows and back.
The other is for brake work.
When I'm jacking up most vehicles I use the rear differential to get both wheels in the air then jack stands under the axle housings,
Then the fronts are usually under the lower control arms with the stands going under the little bit of front frame rail there is.
My floor jack is right next to the tire eith maybe an inch of clearance often less.
Back when cars had frames I had seen and then made my some stands using tire rims, one laid flat on the ground and one standing up in the first and welded together that made a very stable stand.