If lifting just one wheel lifting just that corner of the vehicle is a good idea.
Using jack stands on gravel.
Jack up the vehicle using a solid jacking point leaving enough room for the jack stand to support the car.
If you have to work on gravel the plywood idea is a good one.
Working on gravel or grass can allow the jack stand to shift off the vertical and tip.
If you must use jackstands on gravel use a single 2x12 to spread the load out between the two jackstands.
Same for your floor jack use it on a long board or thick piece of plywood doubled up thickness.
Gives you something to roll the floor jack on.
This does five things.
Get some decent jack stands.
If lifting the entire front or rear choose a jack point in the center of the front or rear suspension or frame.
I guess i assume you are using jack stands.
The 8 direction running side to side to set the jack stands on.
Make the board longer than the car is wide to allow the load to be spread out and chock the rear wheels tightly.
Question about using a jack and jackstands on gravel by anonymous not verified 12 apr 2014 i am basically forced to do it on gravel as the only level ground that is concrete is the parking lot down at the lake nearby and i d rather not have to go down there to do work on my truck.
But i d cut 3 4 pieces that are 6 larger on each side then the base of your jack stands.
I use a full sheet of 3 4 a b or a c plywood sideways to the car ie.
Don t support a car only with a jack.
So put it in first gear or park and set the parking brake.
October 6 2015 by.
To use jack stands start by activating your vehicle s parking brake and jacking up the vehicle with a hydraulic floor jack so the tires are 2 3 inches off the ground.
How to safely setup jack stands on blacktop stone dirt posted.
In hot weather all that weight concentrated at the bottom of a metal jack stand or floor jack can punch divots into asphalt warmed by the sun or high summer temperatures so choose concrete.
Gives you a chance of finding that dropped bolt socket otherwise they just disappear into the gravel.