The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle that looks amazing on the road and off it. But if you have a flat tire, you'll need to know how to jack your Jeep so you can get it back to adventure. We've researched where to jack your Jeep and have the answers to your questions.
When you need to jack your Jeep Wrangler, place the jack under the axle tube close to the faulty tire. Make sure the jack is engaged before lifting the vehicle.
You'll find the Wrangler's jack and lug wrench under the floor of the cargo area.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the complete jacking and tire changing procedure for the Jeep Wrangler. We'll also see where the jack kit is located inside recent models of the Wrangler and where to get a replacement. Read on to learn more!
Where do I put the jack under my Jeep Wrangler?
If your Wrangler gets a flat, you'll need to be able to jack it up safely so that you can make use of that iconic spare sitting on the back of your Jeep.
According to the owner's manual, you should jack your Jeep Wrangler at the axle tube. The axle tube is thick and sturdy enough for you to jack up your Wrangler safely.
How to Change a Tire on a Jeep Wrangler
Of course, jacking the Wrangler is only part of the process of changing the tire. Let's take a closer look at the whole process from start to finish.
1. Park on a flat surface and turn the engine off
It's important that the surface you park on is as level as possible. This will keep you and your Jeep safe. You'll also want to steer clear of any icy areas or areas that are otherwise slippery.
2. Put on your parking brake and hazard lights
This step is also essential for your safety. You don't want your Jeep to shift and you want to alert other drivers so they can give you space.
3. Place chocks on the tire diagonal from the flat (optional)
If you have chocks or wooden blocks, put them on the tire diagonal from the flat. When your Jeep is jacked, most of the weight will be on this tire, so its stability is important.
If you don't have chocks or other blocks, you can skip this step.
4. Prepare the jack and lug wrench
These are located under the floor in your Wrangler's cargo area. You will see the exact location in a video at the end of these instructions.
5. Prepare the spare tire
Remove the spare tire from the back of your Wrangler using the lug wrench.
In some cases, you may also have a tire cover that will need to be removed first. The wrench for this is located inside the center console.
6. Loosen the nuts on the flat tire
You want to loosen the nuts on the flat tire, but not completely remove them. If you wait to loosen them until after jacking the Wrangler, the wheel will be less stable.
7. Set up the jack
Remember to place the jack under the axle tube next to the flat tire. Make sure that the jack is engaged before proceeding to the next step.
8. Lift the Wrangler
Turn the jack screw clockwise to lift the vehicle. Go slowly and only lift enough to provide enough clearance to remove and replace the tire. The higher you lift your Wrangler, the less stable it becomes.
9. Remove the flat tire
Now you can finish removing the lug nuts and the flat tire.
10. Place the spare
When putting on the spare tire, make sure that the valve stem is pointing away from the vehicle. Put on the lug nuts and tighten them as much as you can by hand.
11. Lower the vehicle
Next, turn the jack screw counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. Once lowered, put away the jacking tools except for the lug nut wrench.
12. Finish tightening the lug nuts
With the vehicle lowered, finish tightening the lug nuts with the wrench. Tighten each lug nut once, then tighten each one more time. Get them as tight as possible.
If you have a torque wrench, you can check that they have been tightened to specifications. If not, you can have the tightness checked at a dealership or service station.
You can see the full process for yourself in the video below:
Where is the Jack Located in the Jeep Wrangler?
One of the difficulties in jacking up your Jeep can be finding the jack in the first place.
In most recent model years, the jack is located in the back, under the cargo area.
The cargo area has what's called a "load floor." You'll need to first lift the load floor by the handle, which is near the very rear of the vehicle.
Once you've lifted the load floor, the first thing you're likely to notice is a small compartment that may be empty. Don't worry. This is extra storage, not the jack's location.
Between that compartment and the rear of the vehicle, you'll find the hardware storage area. There is a plastic cover over it now, but by pushing a latch on the left-hand side and pulling up, you can lift the cover.
Now you should see the jack toolkit. You may need to loosen a wingnut attached to the kit to access it.
Replacement Jack Kit for Jeep Wrangler
If your jack kit is missing or damaged, it's important that you get a replacement. There are several options available, but make sure that the one you choose is an appropriate weight rating for your model.
MOPAR makes the official parts for Jeep and several other manufacturers. You can find replacement jacks at their online store. Make sure you check by the model year if you want to make sure the jack will fit in the original storage area.
However, you can also get jacks from third-party manufacturers. These are less likely to fit in the designated area but can be kept in the storage compartment under the load floor for easy access. They are also less expensive than official MOPAR parts.
Click here to see this scissor jack kit on Amazon.
When buying a jack for your Jeep Wrangler, you'll also want to be mindful of the height of the jack.
The jack kit above has a maximum height of 17.1 inches. This is plenty for stock wheels on your Jeep Wrangler and most custom wheels as well.
Some also prefer to use bottle jacks with their Jeep. Bottle jacks use a hydraulic system and tend to be more durable than scissor jacks. They can also handle heavier loads, although that is not likely necessary for the Wrangler.
Click here to see this bottle jack on Amazon.
What's the Weight of the Jeep Wrangler?
While the Jeep Wrangler has a look all of its own, it is classified as an SUV. Like other SUVs, you can expect the Jeep to weigh more than smaller cars.
That being said, they're still lighter than many larger SUVs. For example, the 2022 Wrangler Sport 2-door with 4WD has a curb weight of 3,948 pounds and a gross vehicle weight rating of 5,000 pounds.
This weight is fairly typical across Wrangler models, although there are differences between years, trim levels, and configurations.
When calculating your vehicle's weight, it's safest to rely on the gross vehicle weight rating instead of the curb weight.
You can learn more about the weight of the Jeep Wrangler at various trim levels by checking out this article:
How Much Does a Jeep Wrangler Weigh? [By Trim Level]
Is a Hi-Lift Jack Safe to Use with a Jeep Wrangler?
Hi-lift jacks are a completely different beast than the standard scissor jack that comes with the Jeep Wrangler.
While they are popular among many Jeep owners, they are generally more dangerous to use, even if you have a lot of experience with them.
Most Jeep owners who use hi-lift jacks don't use them for changing tires. Instead, they use them to help get the Jeep out of sticky situations when off-roading or other emergency situations.
Most of the time, a winch and proper recovery equipment will be more effective than a hi-lift when your Jeep needs off-road recovery.
However, if you do still want to use a hi-lift jack, we recommend that you only use it when absolutely necessary and familiarize yourself with the best practices.
Learning how to use a hi-lift jack with a Jeep Wrangler is beyond the scope of this article. However, the video below from JeepSchool provides a deep dive into the topic, with plenty of useful information and tips.
Hitting the Road
Now you know more about jacking a Jeep safely and effectively. You'll be ready for your next adventure, no matter what obstacles come your way.
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