You should never get beneath a Dodge truck that is only supported by a hand cranking vehicle jack. It is unsafe, as the Dodge truck is not secure enough to guarantee your safety. However, if you plan to save some money on truck repairs, one of the first things you need to learn is effective vehicle jacking. There is a safe way to elevate a Dodge truck that does not involve a heavy duty four or two post hydraulic lifter.
Park the Dodge truck on level ground. This is a more important precaution if you need to lift the Dodge truck while on the side of the road, as a result of a flat tire. Your home garage should be level and flat, and this shouldn't be an issue.
Engage the emergency brake. Turn all running components within the Dodge truck off.
Determine which wheel you wish to lift first. This is only required if you are elevating the Dodge truck for repair purposes. If you are servicing a flat tire, you are only going to lift the tire with the damaged tire.
Block off the wheel diagonally opposite of the wheel about to be elevated. For example, if you are elevating the driver's side rear tire, then the passenger side front tire will need wheel chocks securely in front and behind it.
Place the scissors jack beneath the Dodge truck's appropriate lift point. Your owner's manual should tell you precisely where this is. Generally, Dodge truck jack points are located near the wheels. For the rear, the point will be on the axle, near the tire and the shock bracket. For the front, the point will be slightly different on 4x2 and 4x4 vehicles. For 4x2 trucks, the jacks should go under the lower control arm, near the tire. For 4x4 trucks, it should be placed at the jack drive tube.
Crank the scissors jack until the wheel is completely off the ground. If you are going to use a jack stand, lift the vehicle a little higher so that the stand can be placed under the frame. Then, lower the Dodge truck's frame onto the stand.
Repeat the wheel blocking and lifting process on the remaining wheels, until the vehicle is safely off the ground on on jack stands.
