The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Truck balance

In the shop manual for my 54 3100, it says you can support the truck frame (with jackstands/blocks) right behind the rear shackle of the front leaf spring. That doesn't sound really safe to me -- it seems like the truck might be a bit nose-heavy. I could always put some heavy stuff in the truck bed just to be careful, but I was curious how everyone keeps the front of their truck in the air when, say, removing the front axle? I wonder where a stock truck's balance point is?

Where does the Shop manual suggest you place the rear support?

Here is what the 54 shop manual says. The text of step 1 of the front axle removal prompted my question. I'm sure the truck will be fine/safe if supported as the manual states, but it got me thinking about the truck's balance point, especially if I was doing this using a two post lift or under jackstands.

It's good to think about safety when having fun under your 'bolt. I always support my '53 as the manual states but also put my floor jack under the front crossmember with a little tension on it just for good measure. That's an awful lot of weight hanging out in front of those spring hangers and even though my jackstands are rated far above that weight, I feel safer with that extra support point.