When jacking a car up with a 19-20 inch lift should I jack up one side a bit and then take my other smaller jack and jack up the other side so that one side isn't lifted fully while the other side is still at normal ride height. I ask this because I am worried that suspension damage may occur if I jack one side up so high and leave the other untouched. Also does it hurt the suspension to leave one side, the front for example, jacked up by itself for a long period of time?

 

jack up one side halfway, and set up jackstands. Then jack up the other side and place jackstands. Then raise the first side again. I paid $20 for a pair of 2ton jackstands. It's worth it once to protect your ride

 

I jack front to rear when jacking high - put jack under differential in the rear, or put jack under the subframe on the front - then I'm not bothered about sides, and it seems much safer to me. I've jacked the rear until the front lip touches (about 18"), and the front until the jack quit rising (about 19"). I also always chock the wheels, and always have someone there until I get stands under it, and I always bump, shake, push, and jerk on the car after the stands are in place, just to be sure.