Factory jack enhancements?

[PoMansRam]

Just curious if any fellow RAMmers keep anything extra in your truck in the event you get a flat on the fly.

This happened to me the other morning at 3:30am on my way to work and Lawd have mercy that was unpleasant. I did manage to get it done pretty quickly with the OEM gear thankfully, but I don't think a non-car person could get it done.

I was clipping along with a relatively clear view of the road and all of sudden noticed a clunk-ping like you hear when a tire picks up a stone and tosses it. Within seconds I feel a vibration and *DING* of the tire pressure monitoring system! Schidt!! I said and pulled over to as much of shoulder as I could get. Almost under the Peace bridge on the I-190 in Buffalo for those who have been..

Luckily it was the left rear and it has a few inch odd shaped gash in the tread area, close to the sidewall.

I found a few dirty chunks of wood in the grass off the shoulder to chock a front wheel, used a HFT moving blanket I had on the ground got the spare lowered down using my cell phone flashlight and was able to use the factory jack under the shock mount on the axle tube. I really don't now how you'd use this scissors jack on the front end of the truck and get it to lift high enough. It barely had enough room as I used it!

Due to my nicely fluid-filmed and woolwaxed underbelly and spare tire, I looked like my avatar by the time I arrived at work. My shift mates roared with laughter..

Anyway, what do you guys keep in your trucks for this purpose? I'm almost thinking about getting some type of smallish, light weight floor jack and keeping a few small pieces of 4"x4". That blanket was a godsend as well. Even with that I was pretty dirty. I also managed to loose my nice rubber hitch receiver plug in the process. LOL

 

[tidefan1967]

Just curious if any fellow RAMmers keep anything extra in your truck in the event you get a flat on the fly.

This happened to me the other morning at 3:30am on my way to work and Lawd have mercy that was unpleasant. I did manage to get it done pretty quickly with the OEM gear thankfully, but I don't think a non-car person could get it done.

I was clipping along with a relatively clear view of the road and all of sudden noticed a clunk-ping like you hear when a tire picks up a stone and tosses it. Within seconds I feel a vibration and *DING* of the tire pressure monitoring system! Schidt!! I said and pulled over to as much of shoulder as I could get. Almost under the Peace bridge on the I-190 in Buffalo for those who have been..

Luckily it was the left rear and it has a few inch odd shaped gash in the tread area, close to the sidewall.

I found a few dirty chunks of wood in the grass off the shoulder to chock a front wheel, used a HFT moving blanket I had on the ground got the spare lowered down using my cell phone flashlight and was able to use the factory jack under the shock mount on the axle tube. I really don't now how you'd use this scissors jack on the front end of the truck and get it to lift high enough. It barely had enough room as I used it!

Due to my nicely fluid-filmed and woolwaxed underbelly and spare tire, I looked like my avatar by the time I arrived at work. My shift mates roared with laughter..

Anyway, what do you guys keep in your trucks for this purpose? I'm almost thinking about getting some type of smallish, light weight floor jack and keeping a few small pieces of 4"x4". That blanket was a godsend as well. Even with that I was pretty dirty. I also managed to loose my nice rubber hitch receiver plug in the process. LOL

after 3 flats in the last 4 years I bought one of those jumbo plastic totes from Wallyworld and filled it with a small aluminum floor jack, a four way, complete tire plug kit with tools and an electric air pump and of course a flat piece of wood to put under the jack. Last but not least I ditched the stock GY’s in November 2019 and would you believe it I haven’t had a flat since!

 

[PoMansRam]

Good calls on all that. I do keep a plug kit, E-pump and 4-way lug wrench under the rear seat. Sure enough, I still have the GY Wrangler SR-A's in 265/70-17 size. They're good enough yet that my cheap ass mail ordered a good used one for $60 shipped to replace the blown out one. I've had many nails/screws in them over the past few years, but it happens to what ever I have.

I've been lucky. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a flat I had to swap on the side of the road. Gotta be 30yrs or more.

 

[Wild one]

Just curious if any fellow RAMmers keep anything extra in your truck in the event you get a flat on the fly.

This happened to me the other morning at 3:30am on my way to work and Lawd have mercy that was unpleasant. I did manage to get it done pretty quickly with the OEM gear thankfully, but I don't think a non-car person could get it done.

I was clipping along with a relatively clear view of the road and all of sudden noticed a clunk-ping like you hear when a tire picks up a stone and tosses it. Within seconds I feel a vibration and *DING* of the tire pressure monitoring system! Schidt!! I said and pulled over to as much of shoulder as I could get. Almost under the Peace bridge on the I-190 in Buffalo for those who have been..

Luckily it was the left rear and it has a few inch odd shaped gash in the tread area, close to the sidewall.

I found a few dirty chunks of wood in the grass off the shoulder to chock a front wheel, used a HFT moving blanket I had on the ground got the spare lowered down using my cell phone flashlight and was able to use the factory jack under the shock mount on the axle tube. I really don't now how you'd use this scissors jack on the front end of the truck and get it to lift high enough. It barely had enough room as I used it!

Due to my nicely fluid-filmed and woolwaxed underbelly and spare tire, I looked like my avatar by the time I arrived at work. My shift mates roared with laughter..

Anyway, what do you guys keep in your trucks for this purpose? I'm almost thinking about getting some type of smallish, light weight floor jack and keeping a few small pieces of 4"x4". That blanket was a godsend as well. Even with that I was pretty dirty. I also managed to loose my nice rubber hitch receiver plug in the process. LOL

I keep one of these in both my truck and the wifes car,i used to drag a floor jack with me to swap tires at the track,but these little buggers are way lighter and easier to use.On soft ground you'd probably want to throw a piece of 2X6 under them though.

ttps://www.amazon.com/Electric-Hydraulic-Inflator-Flashlight-Replacement/dp/B07TJ6HHQS/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1WDM3EELJ6RGD&dchild=1&keywords=12+volt+electric+car+jack&qid=1610825139&sprefix=12+

 

[tidefan1967]

I keep one of these in both my truck and the wifes car,i used to drag a floor jack with me to swap tires at the track,but these little buggers are way lighter and easier to use.On soft ground you'd probably want to throw a piece of 2X6 under them though.

ttps://www.amazon.com/Electric-Hydraulic-Inflator-Flashlight-Replacement/dp/B07TJ6HHQS/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1WDM3EELJ6RGD&dchild=1&keywords=12+volt+electric+car+jack&qid=1610825139&sprefix=12+

Damn that's pretty cool, I never heard of such. That would come in handy down here in the swamp!

 

[EdGs]

Sure enough, I still have the GY Wrangler SR-A's in 265/70-17 size.

I've been lucky. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a flat I had to swap on the side of the road. Gotta be 30yrs or more.

I switched from the stock wrangler sra's to these.




Got them about a year ago, they were $575, mounted, lifetime balanced and road hazard.

Load range E also, keep them around 50 psi.

They were $122 each per tire when I checked a week or so ago.

Like them alot so far.

I do need something better than the stock jack though. I had a front flat once, and was lucky, but can see where you might not be able to use it in certain situations.

 

[huntergreen]

Well, I carry a triple AAA card.

 

[EdGs]

Well, I carry a triple AAA card.

I have one of those as well, excellent to have.

Barring no exceptional circumstances, I can be back on my way alot quicker. The last couple of times I had to use AAA, it was a minimum of 1 hour wait. Not complaining at all, just my luck of the draw.

 

[Livinalittle]

If you need to jack up the front end with the emergency scissor jack you can place it under the lower control arm. It's also a good idea to keep a small piece of plywood in case you're on a dirt road when this happens.

 

[PoMansRam]

Well, I carry a triple AAA card.

LOL! I've got that too. I figured I'd give it a go first. I was back on the road in about 15-20min.

 

[EdGs]

If you need to jack up the front end with the emergency scissor jack you can place it under the lower control arm. It's also a good idea to keep a small piece of plywood in case you're on a dirt road when this happens.

^^^^ Definately.

 

[LugsLeadOut84]

You learned the hard way, but at least you learned. I always keep a 2 ft long 2x10 to stabilize the jack and an old oversized beach towel to lay on, among other essentials. While the OEM jack isn't the best, it will work on front & rear tires in most scenarios barring the truck having a lift. I used to carry a hydraulic floor jack but it's just too heavy and took up too much room. Over the years I've also learned you will usually get a flat when there's slush on the ground or it's 6 degrees outside.
I decide on my approach to the fix at the time...Do I have time/do I call for roadside? Can I get dirty? Is it too wet/cold? Should I arrange for a pick up and go back in daylight better prepared?, etc.

 

[Livinalittle]

If I enhance anything on the emergency jack it will be replacing that retaining bolt with a stud.

 

[EdGs]

Over the years I've also learned you will usually get a flat when there's slush on the ground or it's 6 degrees outside.

Luckily, here in FL we dont have to worry about being 6 degrees out, lol. Slushy ground however, IS a *****, especially in our rainy season.

**** will happen usually in the most inconvenient of times and places. Good to know I am not alone in that regard.

 

[ScheiRam]

If I enhance anything on the emergency jack it will be replacing that retaining bolt with a stud.

Does the retaining bolt rust and get stuck?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[crash68]

If I enhance anything on the emergency jack it will be replacing that retaining bolt with a stud.

Does the retaining bolt rust and get stuck?

There have been several people reporting the hold down bolt will rust making it difficult to remove, even breaking it while try to remove it. I believe for the '18 model year RAM started using these two parts:
06508288AA
06512623AA
It's a stud and hold down bolt that work for both the 1500 and HD trucks. It cost less than $20 for both.

 

[Wild one]

Does the retaining bolt rust and get stuck?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

The bolt sticks out under the cab,and they will rust in pretty solid.There is a later model stud set-up that alot of guys upgrade to,or you can run the bolt out and put anti-seaze on the threads,then run it back in.If you haven't used the jack inawhile,it's a good idea to check and see if the bolt will come out,before you're in a bind and need the jack

 

[BWL]

I keep an electric impact behind the rear seat and I antiseize the jack retainer bolt annually. I can usually find a rock or something to act as a chock block if it's a rear flat. If it's in a dangerous spot though like narrow shoulder on a highway at night and I have cel reception I use AAA and throw on my flashers. If you're in a bad spot they bump you up to top priority so you don't usually wait long. Just safer having the extra traffic control in those situations. No reception I have a bunch of flares to lay out before I do it. Old school light them flares for winter/rainy season. Not as good battery ones in fire season, but better than setting the world on fire.

 

[ShortRAM]

Carry an 18" long 4x6 to drive the flat tire up on so you can get the jack in a better place to lift the vehicle.

 

[pacofortacos]

AAA, carbon fiber operating room surgical table top to set the jack on (about 2' by 2' ), bottle jack, couple of 4x4 pieces, 4'x2' piece of coroplast to lay on, tyvek suit and surgical gloves to keep clean, and a couple of rags, and if traveling a cordless impact wrench, sockets, ratchet with galvanized pipe extension.