No one ever asks me but I'm sure aspiring garage mechanics wanna know what tools are important to own. So I'll wander around my garage and figure out what's nice to have and what is absolutely needed.

First up on the need list is a real 2 1/2-ton floor jack and extra-tall jack stands. For years I got by with a crappy used floor jack that wouldn't lift all the way up and some large blocks of wood. I eventually went tool shopping at Harbor Freight and got myself a huge long-frame floor jack with a 31-inch lift. It doesn't seem to be available anymore but I found THIS ONE from Northern Tool that is very similar.

You can get away with smaller jack stands but THESE 12-ton Harbor Freight stands have worked awesome for my lifted Jeeps. You'll never have to use unsafe cinder or wood blocks again. And if you can afford to pony up for 4 jack stands then THESE smaller 6-ton stands are good for smaller jobs and will round out your Jeep supporting hardware.