depending on what I am doing to the car, I often put the jackstands on the subframe right there (as close to the front of the car as possible). Never had a problem.

 

why not?

 

Too unstable, the axle is on a sub chassis that moves. Bump the car or the tires too hard and it could fall. Granted it could fall no mater how it's supported but I don't like the idea of a couple of shocks and a differential control arms holding the rear-end together while I'm under it.

 

If its safe enough to hold together while your driving down the road its plenty safe to be under it thats for sure.Under the axle is one of the safest inmy eyes cause it can slide out from under the frame rails easier than under the axle tubes

 

When it comes to safety...I don't second guess myself. I stick to what I know in that area.

Motorcylce - use helmet, gloves and jeans tucked into your boots or pinned somehow
skiing - wear goggles
boating - wear a life preserver
box cutter - cut away from yourself
lifting - use your legs
Working under a car - pick the most Solid/stable points to support the car

That's me.

 

I have a Titan 3 ton floor jack. Today I stick it under the front K-member from the front, and I could not lift it, there is not enough room to pump the handle. I had to use subframe connectors, but then it was hard to use jackstands.

Jack mentioned is the regular size, same as you'd find in any garage. Does it have to be as hard as I described or am I doing somehting wrong?

 

Not familiar with the brand you mentioned but on some of the cheaper floor jacks you have to get a Full pump to get it to lift at all. Many of the mid to high-end ones allow you to get height from any hiegth(sp) of pump. 2 Full pumps and the jack is fully extended.

It may look like a regular run of the mill Garage jack, but they're not all created equal.