Using jack stands seems like a simple process but misuse can lead to fatal consequences. You should always check your vehicle's owner's manual to find out where to position the stands and what weight limit the stands should have. Also check the stands themselves for weight limits. To use jack stands safely you need to pair them up with other safety equipment, which you can purchase from your local auto parts retailer.
Park the vehicle on flat pavement. Put wheel chocks in front of and behind the front tires if you plan to raise up the rear of the vehicle.
Position the jack under one side of the rear axle (or front frame rail if later lifting up the front) and raise up one part of the vehicle. Check your F-150 owner's manual for the safest place to position the jack for your particular model year Ford.
Decide on the height of the jack stands and set the height of both jack stands equally. Do this by pulling up on the arm seats on each stand.
Place each jack stand below the rear axle when raising up the rear; place them under the front frame rail when raising up the front of the vehicle. Take care not to get the brake lines pinched between the vehicle and the jack stands when raising up the rear of the vehicle. And when raising up the front, take care that the stand isn't suspended on the lower control arm at an angle.
Lower the corner of the vehicle onto the jack stand slowly one at a time. Repeat for the other side. Only raise one axle at a time.
Raise one corner of the vehicle slightly with the jack, remove one jack stand, then lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat with the opposite side. Remove the wheel chocks.
