I have a 2001 Blazer.

I was driving home tonight from Whitehorse, Yukon to Haines Junction, Yukon and had a tire blowout on the rear passenger tire (10k km old studded Nordman 7's).

The OEM jack does not work if you have OEM running boards! I have the tubular type with the little steps at each door. I assume I was using the correct jacking point (an indentation on the frame that seems to match the jack pretty well). The rod that you crank it up with doesn't clear the running boards, making it a very tedious process, it could have been done, but it would have taken a long time.

Fortunately, a driver moving from Anchorage to Chicago stopped to help and he a full truckload of tools to help out with, including bottle jacks of various sizes. I was quite amused that he didn't pack anything except tools - he had just gotten divorced.

From what I experienced the only thing that would work is to carry a trolley jack around with you at all times. I''m I accurate in this assumption, or was I using the wrong jacking point?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

I have running boards that I have always thought were stock if not at least GM aftermarket and I was able to change my rear tire with my OEM jack. However, from what you described, mine are different, more like long boards and not made from a long tube.

 

I must've been using the wrong jacking point, as it looks like your running boards protrude outward more than mine, although mine could be lower. I've never seen ones like yours before. There's not many of these left to compare them to.

I checked out your build thread, interesting! I like the non-metallic, solid colours on them. I saw an amazing red one in Alaska last summer. I haven't done anything to mine yet (other than maintenance), but it looks like new wheels are in the near future. Yesterday chewed the one up pretty good. Mine is pretty rust-free too... The rear rocker panels are a little soft, but that is pretty much it. No salt used in the Yukon either, as it's only effective above -12C.

Thanks for the response.
Jeff

 

I've owned my Blazer since Oct 2000 when I bought it new. First thing I did was buy a bottle jack for it, same with the other vehicles we have. I did open up the cubby hole just to make sure there was the stock jack and haven't looked in there since that day. You do know that you can use a jack on any part of the frame, right? For a rear tire you can also use it on the axle tube, the leaf spring under the axle tube, or centered under the rear diff.

 

Thanks for the compliment!

I have a few more mods to do. I have new springs and torsion bars along with a 1-ton idler arm upgrade to do this summer.

 

I should have been better prepared, but given that the tires were almost brand new, I wasn't too concerned about them. Before the good Samaritan from Alaska showed up, I looked for the best place to jack it up given the issues with the OEM jack. It could have been done where I was working, but it wouldn't have been pleasant, or quick. Fortunately, the spare wasn't permanently attached to the underside of the car, and still had air in it!

I remember as a kid my parent's old cars had jacks that hooked onto the bumper and worked their way up a tubular steel bar with notches in it. Not much less safe than a scissor jack, which 50% of the time collapse before you have the car up (happened last night).

Regardless, I've learned my lesson and will take along a jack that is more suitable for adverse situations in the future.

Thanks for your reply.