Should I use jack stands or do it on the ground?

[srkpaco]

I have a 2004 LC and have a damaged rear cross member, the piece of steal right behind the plastic bumper cover. I got a great price on it from Camel Back Toyota $348 delivered to me front door.

From what I can tell it is just a unbolt, remove and replace? Should I do this on jack stand or leave it sitting on the tires?

Picture attached, the peice I am replacing is the one with 4 holes in it, I will reshape the cheap tin top section after install of new cross member.

 

[rustydrummer]

I'd leave it sitting on the tires.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[rustydrummer]

Set your parking brake and chock the wheels if that makes you feel better, but unless what I'm doing requires removal of wheels or extra clearance underneath, I don't mess with jack stands. The truck sitting on jack stands is less stable than the truck sitting on tires.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[VidereStudios]

I concur...I don't think you need to do anything special for the job at hand besides setting the parking brake and chocking the tires.

 

[srkpaco]

I am not so much worried about stability as I am the frame tweaking or something moving when I remove the damaged cross member and then not be able to get the new one in? I have never done any body of frame work so this is the unknown to me.

 

[VidereStudios]

Well, jack stands won't help with that...if the frame is tweaked slightly, you are still going to have to work in the crossmember. I would doubt it would come to that anyway...the crossmember doesn't look too bad.

 

[srkpaco]

If I used four jack stands on the frame it that any better? Heck I would like to just leave it on the ground but also want to prevent any surprises.

 

[paflytyer]

You're more likely to move something while it's on jack stands than when it's sitting with tires on the ground. Either way, it's unlikely anything is going to move.

 

[TXLX100]

Second not using jack stands. If anything, it will relax the frame, but I doubt it would make any difference. That is mostly encountered with lifting unibody vehicles.

 

[Kief]

Use both- jack it up just enough to get it on the stands with some tire contact on the ground.. Safe, sturdy. If you are replacing what was there and it isn't tweaked beyond the damaged piece it should all match up..

 

[scottm]

On tires. If the frame is at all misaligned with the holes in your part, use a jack to put a little controlled pressure under the frame to twist it as necessary.