This topic contains 20 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by 
Richard Kirshy 2 years, 8 months ago.
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I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan SE 3.3 and i have no idea how to safely and properly place jack stands under this van at all, i really need help and i have checked all videos on youtube and nothing is helping me.
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Richard Good Afternoon my friend! Would you like for me to upload pictures to share with you how everything is looking under this van so you can have a better idea? Im trying my best to learn how to be a diy home mechanic. I also want to say that im very appreciative of your replies, help and care.
You can.
A bit of advise.
You want to place the stand under the heaviest structural area.
Also, you can support the vehicle with jack stands from the rear axle.Richard Good Evening! I apologize for the late reply. I was looking for my old iphone since it has a clear camera for video and photos. I went ahead and filmed under the van so you can see. here is the link of the video https://youtu.be/7aPo8lDpoRI check it out and lmk
The jack stand looks well placed.
You have under the structural frame of the unitized body.
Though you hydraulic jack is in a questionable location.
Make note your jack stand is under double steel, while the jack is under single steel.
Richard Good Morning! Would you like for me to keep filming more videos until i get it right and understand how to properly jack up the van and place it on jack stands? I have no issues at all filming more videos to show you. lmk
All you need to know is to safely jack up or support a vehicle is to place the jack or jack stand under a structural component that is able to support the weight your lifting or supporting.
Also, if you have the vehicles owners manual, it will show the proper areas
These should be helpful:
https://www.google.com/search?q=jacking+point+of+a+vehicle&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjw84z8vJTvAhUFSN8KHYNZA1oQ_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1362&bih=686I actually do have the manual but the only jacking points it shows is for the towers you see in garage shops that lift the car high up in the air. I dont see anywhere else in the manual how to jack up the van with a floor jack and and how to place the van on jack stands, this hasn’t been easy for me and im still looking.
Those lifting points are the same for a floor jack or shop lift.
As I said placement of jack stands need to be located under structural areas ( double layered steel ) or by suspension points.
IE. leaf spring mounts, front control arm mounting areas, cross member area, rear axle.
You can also span the unitized body channel with a piece of 4×4 lumber with 2 stands to spread the load over a larger area.If your able to film a video showing me how, it would be very helpful. Im still not understanding anything.
Richard Good Evening! I went ahead and returned all 4 jack stands because nothing was helping me, to make it easier i went ahead and bought 4 of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-steel-auto-ramp-set-63250.html because i dont understand jack stands and how to place them properly under any vehicle. I just want you to know that i truly appreciate all of your help from the heart your a great guy really. 🙂
Ramps are a good choice.
As to jack stands and how to place them properly under any vehicle ….
All vehicles have areas that can be supported by jack stands, but they aren’t all in the exact same locations on all vehicles.
Once you get under a few, you’ll soon see what works and what doesn’t.Richard Good Morning! If i dont have a scanner with bi-directional controls to command the EVAP system components to open and close, there has to be another way in doing so because those bi-directional scanners are very expensive and all i want to do is close the charcoal canister vent valve because normally its always open
Actually there are 2 different methods
All depending on your reasoning…
You can clamp off the hose to the canister
You can apply the correct power to the proper pins to actuate the valve.
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