How to jack up a jeep wrangler

How to jack up a jeep wrangler

Owning a vehicle requires you to learn simple skills that will help maintain your car, such as jacking up your vehicle. Unfortunately, not all Jeep owners know how to do it, which means it can be a problem if this skill is needed on the road. However, this article will teach you a step-by-step guide on how to jack up a Jeep properly.

What You Will Need:

  • Jack Stands
  • Factory Installed Jack Kit
  • Owner’s Manual
  • Base Plate (Optional)

Step 1: Parking your Jeep on Level Ground

The initial step for you is to park your vehicle in a smooth and level ground location. The area should not be inclined since it can make the jack on the ground. You also need to avoid bumpy and soft surfaces because the same situation will happen.

If you are dealing with a flat tire, make sure to park on a level or firm surface. The level surface should also be away from traffic for your safety and protection. You must also avoid ice and slippery areas because they can be dangerous to you.

Once you park your Jeep correctly, you can turn off the ignition while turning the hazard lights on. You will also need to set the vehicle on a parking brake. If possible, you will need to block the front and rear of the tire diagonally opposite the jacking position.

When you need to change the right front tire, then you will need to block the left rear tire. If you are changing the left front tire, it is the other way around, which is to block the right rear tire. When jocking up the front wheels, you will need to engage your vehicle in an emergency brake.

On the other hand, when you are jacking up the rear wheels, you will need to make sure that the vehicle’s transmission is parked. Another option is to use wheel chocks for added protection against any movement while the vehicle’s wheels are off the ground. You can place the wheel chocks around a particular wheel with the most weight above it.

Step 2: Familiarizing the Location of the Jack Kit and Other Tools

The location of the jack kit and the other tools are found in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. First, you will need to remove the cover on the trunk floorboard to have access to the storage compartment. The cover will be in the form of plastic or carpet.

To remove the tools on the compartment, you can lift the load floor while pinching the left side of the hardware storage cover after. Then, you can pull it up to remove it. This action will give you access to the jack tool kit. Once you see the tools, start to remove the tools slowly.

How to jack up a jeep wrangler

Step 3: Jacking Tools Assembly

The next step is to assemble the jacking tools to prepare for the jacking process. To assemble the jacking tools, you will need to connect the jack handle driver to the extension. Then, connect the same jack handle driver to the lug wrench. Once the jack tools are fully assembled, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Positioning the Jack Underneath the Vehicle

When it comes to positioning the jack underneath the vehicle, you will need to locate the vehicle’s jacking point. For a Jeep Wrangler, it is usually located on the axle tables. You will need to position the center of the jack under the axle tube corner, which is closest to the wheel you are trying to raise.

Once the jack is placed under the axle tube closest to the tire you are raising, make sure that everything is perfect before jacking up the tire. Never raise the vehicle until you are already sure that the jack is already fully engaged.

Step 5: Jacking Up the Jeep Wrangler

Once the jack is fully engaged, you can now start jacking up your Jeep. Start by turning the jack screw clockwise while raising the vehicle until the tire clears the ground. If you replace other components apart from the tire, you can raise it more.

If you have enough clearance, you can now proceed with replacing the tire or replacing other components in the vehicle. Always remember that when jacking up. The minimum tire lift provides stability.

If you need to crawl underneath, there are things that you can do to make it safer. Putting a jack stand that is rated to your vehicle’s weight next to the jack tool is an excellent idea to make you safer underneath the vehicle.

Step 6: Removing the Jack Tool from the Vehicle

Once your maintenance is finished, you can now proceed with removing the jack underneath the vehicle. You can now turn the jackscrew counter-clockwise for you to lower the vehicle. Once the vehicle is on the ground, remove the jack slowly.

Then you can return the jack tools to their appropriate location, and you are good to go. Always remember that when jacking your vehicle, always refer to the owner’s manual for guidance to make you safer while jacking up your jeep.

Conclusion

Learning how to jack up a Jeep is essential if you own one. It is a necessary skill that needs to be learned if you need to replace a tire in the middle of the road or just want to replace components of your Jeep Wrangler. It is essential to refer to the owner’s manual when it comes to jacking up your vehicle for safety on your end.

Where do you put jack under Jeep Wrangler?

According to the owner's manual, you should jack your Jeep Wrangler at the axle tube. The axle tube is thick and sturdy enough for you to jack up your Wrangler safely.

Can you use a regular jack on a lifted Jeep?

As mentioned, the stock scissor jack should reach the axle and be able to lift the tire off the ground no matter how much lift the Jeep has, unless the tires are bigger than 35's. If the stock jack is too short because your tires are big, a size-able piece of wood under the stock jack should work fine.