Front jack point with OEM skids

This may be a ridiculously stupid question, but first time owning and maintaining a truck. With the TRD OR factory skids on the front, what's the best jack point up there? Or is it best to remove the skid to get access to the jack point on the frame?

Thanks,
B.

 

I already put mine in the air using the nipple that's protruding through the rear of the main skid plate. Was a little cautious, so I took the plate off to verify. All I saw was a sturdy as hell crossmember.. So up it went.

 

i don't have a 2016 yet, but typically the manual (not trying to be a d*ck) has appropriate jack points or can give you an idea of where you can jack from. If these do not work (limited space), I would typically jack on a solid part of the frame as close to the point you are trying to lift.

Example. My 2002 explorer sport says to place factory jack under rear axle as close to wheel as possible when lifting the rear. My 3 ton jack couldn't fit there comfortably with me also needing to put a jack stand under there so I lift from the side frame rail as close to the rear wheel I am lifting as possible and then put a jack stand under the axle on that side. Repeat for other side.

Front end I would always jack from the cross member.

Of all the times I have had to get that thing off the ground, it never gave me any problems. Do not jack the rear from the differential unless the manual EXPLICITLY says you can do so (that is my only no-no that you need to watch out for).

 

I just lift the truck via the lower control arm. My ranger's Jack points were the LCAs so it's something I'm familiar with.

 

I could never find a good place to put the jack stand while lifting from there. I would always lift from the cross member and let the control arm hang. If I was doing suspension I would let it hang and then use my jack to lift the lower control arm to where I needed it during the install. Otherwise I just let it hang free. But the LCA is where the manual says the jack point is though I believe.

When you lift from the LCA where do you put your jack stand? Or did you just let it fully compress and then put the jack stand on the frame?

 

Well... I didn't use a jack stand...

Don't carry them in my truck and as such didn't have one when I jacked the truck up.

 

Great thanks for the info guys. It completely didn't come to mind that the manual would have any more than using the tire jack that comes with the truck, sorry about that.

 

The recommended jack points according to the factory service manual are the nipple shown in post #2 and the rear differential.

 

There is a picture on the tool bag under your seat that has the lug wrench in it.

 

bumping old thread since search instead of new thread right? lol

So that little nipple is the 'recommended' factory jack point?
Was trying to figure it out looking in the manual etc, doesn't really specify much for the front only that the read is the axle and has a slight mark for it.

Was trying to get what the picture showed wasn't sure if it was that nipple or just lift from the frame in that area

 

The nipple is the recommended jack point if you are using a floor jack. I wouldn't call it little. If you're using the jack that came with the truck, there are instructions in the owners manual for that.

 

Owners manual but usually frame or lca

 

bumped the thread because for the front lifting point the manual isn't that clear


from the picture looks like it could either be the frame or a specific point.
Doesn't mention anything about that nipple

 

The nipple (and the rear differential) are shown in the SERVICE manual as points to lift using a floor jack.

I agree that the owners manual is a little vague. I put the truck jack under the frame in that general location when I had to change a front flat on the side of the road.

 

thats basically what I was wondering for, the factory jack for changing a flat.
wasn't quite sure where to put it.

 

Owners manual lift points are typically intended for when you're using the supplied jack and aren't typically the sole points you can safely use for lifting. Good to know their location before you need it of course.

Here is are the lift and support positions indicated in the FSM:

 

exactly why I'm asking.
both the jack and the manual aren't very clear on where to be placing the factory jack to lift the front if you need to change a flat road side.

 

The TRD skid plate has specific jack points built in. I saw a post with a picture somewhere around here awhile ago

Edit: actually I think it was on the paperwork that came with my TRD skid plate. I'll see if I can find it

 

Seems fairly clear to me, so perhaps I'm missing something. Lift on the frame rail just forward of the crossmember. Unfortunately it means you have to lift a fair bit on a front wheel since you have all the suspension compression to lift past before the wheel's off the ground enough.

 

that's why I'm looking for clarification. Post 2 was referring to some nipple as a jack point where my interpretation of the manual was to lift from the frame just in front of the cross member.