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Floor Jack Time

Posted by 141drew Posted onSep 1, 2010 at 1:20 PM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:37 AM


I’ve been using the same floor jack for over 15 years. I think I bought it at a garage sale in Norman, OK… It has served me well through the years, but I’m finally ready to step up and get something that is more convenient. See, most of my old cars sit pretty damned low and the traditional jack just won’t get under them for the most part. As a result, I find myself driving up on old 2×4’s or anything else that can give me the extra lift to get a jack under the car.

I’m done with all that. It’s time for a fresh start.

What have you guys found in a lo-profile jack that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?


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A

aar0s

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are the HF Jacks any good? id hate to be setting up stands under it and it come crashing down.
 
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minhster

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dankicksass

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I have the red two-ton jack pictured above, had it about five years, used daily, no real complaints. It's cheap ($150ish, I think) it comes under any number of labels from China and mine has a bitchen eagle sticker on the side that's falling off. Would I get another one? Probably not... when my other (stamped steel, junk) jack failed, I replaced it with a HF blue 3000-lb cheapo jack. It fit the budget. Next time I'm looking for jacks, I'll go lower profile, steel, and American if possible.
 
C

Canman

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This will be mainly for the Canadian folks but I recently bought the Canadian Tire aluminum racing jack. In fact it looks identical to the one in the OP.

Hands down best jack I have owned! Rolls beautifully (even on my dirty floor) and fits under my car. I think they list it as 3.5" clearance. I have a Triumph Spitfire with about 4" clearance and this gets under there no issues.

Only knocks on it are, for the price, wish it was a quick lift and wish the max height was a couple inches more. I think it is around 14" max lift. I waited for a 50% off this jack and picked it up for $99.00.


Cheers,

Shawn


PS. Link to jack : http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...ster%2BAluminum%2BRacing%2BJack.jsp?locale=en
 
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OP
R

Ryan

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aar0s said:
are the HF Jacks any good? id hate to be setting up stands under it and it come crashing down.
Click to expand...

I'll buy HF stuff for one-time use tools and stuff like that, but I personally would stay away for a "lifelong" product like a jack.
 
J

Jack Olsen

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I've had one of their racing jacks for almost a decade, now. Last month, I bought another (slightly smaller) one to stay in the trunk.

I wouldn't rely on any jack (not the HF model at $60 or boutique American aluminum jacks at $600) to hold a car up with me underneath it. So I'd look more carefully at the way my jackstands are put together. They're the things that are going to save me when the next California temblor hits while I'm down under the car.

However, if you want a recommendation for the best. The Danish company AC Hydraulic makes the jack I'd buy if I had an extra $400-500 in my pocket. 3.1" low to as much as 31.2" high. Very few pumps. Unrivaled quality.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/tools/AC-Hydraulic3.htm
 
M

michakaveli

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I bought this jack a few months ago from Harbor Freight. Love it. Great jack. Although I never go under a vehicle without stands in place either way.

Rapid Pump® 4000 Lb. Capacity Lightweight Low Profile Aluminum Racing Jack

image_2539.jpg
 
D

DuluthMN

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Ryan said:
I'll buy HF stuff for one-time use tools and stuff like that, but I personally would stay away for a "lifelong" product like a jack.
Click to expand...

I think the HF is a really sharp jack. However I do not know when it comes to daily use, as mine is still in the original box. It does look nice though! :thumbup:
 
G

Gary S

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I'm using an old Torin (made in China) jack I bought almost 20 years ago. It has had lots of use, and no maintenance and no problems so far, so I'm not looking at new jacks yet.
 
D

DuluthMN

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Jack Olsen said:
I've had one of their racing jacks for almost a decade, now. Last month, I bought another (slightly smaller) one to stay in the trunk.

I wouldn't rely on any jack (not the HF model at $60 or boutique American aluminum jacks at $600) to hold a car up with me underneath it. So I'd look more carefully at the way my jackstands are put together. They're the things that are going to save me when the next California temblor hits while I'm down under the car.

However, if you want a recommendation for the best. The Danish company AC Hydraulic makes the jack I'd buy if I had an extra $400-500 in my pocket. 3.1" low to as much as 31.2" high. Very few pumps. Unrivaled quality.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/tools/AC-Hydraulic3.htm
Click to expand...

This is by far the most intelligent reply to a post that I have ever read and I agree 100%. You basically have no common sense if you reply on anything that has a possibility of a fail rating while under an automobile. My friends dad was a highly respected auto mechanic from Alabama until a commercial jack gave way. He was buried 3 days later...
 
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dmeadow

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I've got a Torin aluminum "racing jack". This is the second Chinese made aluminum jack I've bought and the second to fail on me. It just won't pump up any more. I tried to rebuild it by replacing what looked to be a bad o-ring, but to no avail. I called Torin and after much hassle talked to someone that said they sold a $12 kit to repair it, but they didn't take credit cards or personal checks, so I would have to send them a cashier's check or a money order. What a hassle!

I hate to throw this out and spend another $130 on a similar jack because it would just be a waste. I don't want a heavier or bigger jack, though, 'cause I use this in my race trailer to lift a small car. I'd spend a little more to get quality, but I just don't trust any of these things at this point. I'm going to try to get the Torin repair kit and see if that does me any good. Keeping a decent jack around shouldn't be this hard!
 
1

1320stang

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A buddy of mine had one of those HF jacks fail while he was putting jack stands under his Outlaw 10.5 drag car, seal blew out. Threw it as far as he could (which was pretty far after being amped up and with it's light weight.)

Ryan, I think you need to talk to Hiball about your jack needs and what to look for.
 
C

CrashTestDummy

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aar0s said:
are the HF Jacks any good? id hate to be setting up stands under it and it come crashing down.
Click to expand...

They seem hit-or-miss. I think it depends on the current jack manufacturing 'contractor' at the time. I have one I've had for almost 10 years. It works great, although it has just now started leaking a bit.

Usually, they'll just not lift when they fail. You use it one minute, roll it under the car the next, and it won't lift the car. Sometimes, though, you can get them to work again by going through the de-air process, but other times they just don't work until you replace the seals.

I _have_ however, seen them fail rather spectacularly, after lifting a car. >Boom!< the car hits the ground. That's _very_rare. As others have said, spend your money on the stands. Never go under a car w/o jackstands under it.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
 
D

DuluthMN

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I think people are looking at the dynamics of a jack all wrong. A jack in my opinion is meant to get it up in the air, while jack stands are meant to keep it up. But I've been wrong before.
 
OP
R

Ryan

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DuluthMN said:
I think people are looking at the dynamics of a jack all wrong. A jack in my opinion is meant to get it up in the air, while jack stands are meant to keep it up. But I've been wrong before.
Click to expand...

Exactly, I'd like to find a lo-pro jack that will get it up in the air for a long time to come.
 
M

meissen

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DuluthMN said:
I think people are looking at the dynamics of a jack all wrong. A jack in my opinion is meant to get it up in the air, while jack stands are meant to keep it up. But I've been wrong before.
Click to expand...

Thanks - all this talk about jacks failing makes me think people are crawling under cars without common sense safety equipment.

Maybe I'm being defensive, though, since my girlfriend just bought me the 2 ton low profile service jack from HF for $80 and I think it's a great deal. If we're talking about "trusting a jack" - I'd trust a heavy steel jack a lot more than I would trust an aluminum one. The sucker is built solid and so far so good. :) :beer:
 
H

Hiball

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Any Jack at Anytime can fail, You have to protect yourself by using Jack stands. You very seldom see a catostrophic failure but the failure rate is higher on the Import jacks. Its not the hydraulic system that fails, It has more to do with the type of seals that are used. Ive fully documented the differences here with pictures and explanations and its pretty obvious by looking at the pictures which ones lack in endurance. I try to be honest with my opinions and have even offered a fully documented teardown to help the members with there problems. I dont want my opinions and experience to offend anyone who owns a Import jack, Im only stating the facts based on 20+ years experience. With every 1 Good time story i read here, there are 10 Pm's where a members <6mos old jack is leaking. The import lines of 10+ years ago where hands down made better than what you can buy today outside of the Higher priced stuff, OTC, Norco, Omega etc... Im not just talking about seals, Im referencing the Metal fitment etc.. This new stuff doesnt like to be tore down and re-assembled.. Period. The Low profile jacks are something that is kinda new to game, I really cant give to much info other than looking into the OTC and Omega Low profiles. They HW93643 as a initial low starting point but if you have to go very far under the car for a lifting point, you quickly bottom out. Good Luck and if you find something you would like to me to look at id be more than happy to do some research.
 
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SharkD

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I had an el-cheapo "racing" jack, bought probably for less than $90 from some website or another. (It may have been a Torin.) It worked fine until there was a lateral load induced on it as the jack lifted the car and the jack wanted to walk. Realizing something was wrong, I tried to lower the E24 back down, but the lift arm had distorted laterally and the end of the bar on which the lift pad pivoted was now interfering with the frame of the jack. I had to use the trunk jack (which I'm not a fan of at all) to get the car off the racing jack.

Since then, I've used a Craftsman 50239 aluminum jack. It may not be an AC Hydraulic (which is what I'll buy if/when the Craftsman dies), but it's held up well in the garage and at the track. I think I paid $175 for it. The only mod I've made is to use hockey pucks in place of the standard saddle pad. They're cheap and easy to get and they're much more durable.
 
S

SharkD

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DuluthMN said:
I think people are looking at the dynamics of a jack all wrong. A jack in my opinion is meant to get it up in the air, while jack stands are meant to keep it up. But I've been wrong before.
Click to expand...

Even at the track, or when I'm only lifting one side, whenever I've got the car in the air, there's a jack stand underneath any corner that isn't sitting on the ground.
 
W

W_KY

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I've done quite a bit of looking at floor jacks recently and I think I'm going to go with the Hein-Werner Service Jack – 3-Ton, Model# HW93652:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200325615_200325615

Yeah its more than I'd like to spend but I figure if I buy a good one and it lasts me the rest of my life, then it was well worth it. I was actually with my wife at HF and saw their 3 ton (?) heavy duty floor jack and it didn't look bad. However, I pointed out to the wife that a jack isn't something want to be skimping on. She agreed. While I know jack stands are really holding it up, there are also times I know when someone else might be using my jack and not use the same caution I do. So my thoughts are buy something decent that can be rebuilt if needed. Its not like its something you need to replace every year.

Now, any recommendations on good jack stands :)
 
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mikevango

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W_KY said:
I've done quite a bit of looking at floor jacks recently and I think I'm going to go with the Hein-Werner Service Jack – 3-Ton, Model# HW93652:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200325615_200325615

Yeah its more than I'd like to spend but I figure if I buy a good one and it lasts me the rest of my life, then it was well worth it. I was actually with my wife at HF and saw their 3 ton (?) heavy duty floor jack and it didn't look bad. However, I pointed out to the wife that a jack isn't something want to be skimping on. She agreed. While I know jack stands are really holding it up, there are also times I know when someone else might be using my jack and not use the same caution I do. So my thoughts are buy something decent that can be rebuilt if needed. Its not like its something you need to replace every year.

Now, any recommendations on good jack stands :)
Click to expand...
thats what i'm talking about! good choice and a good price! get the hein werner jackstands too
 
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Crusty Nut

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Ryan, I have one of the low profile Arcan jacks. I think it is a 3 ton. I have used it very regularly for going on 10 years. It fits my needs well. It is nice and low and goes under my hot rods and is strong enough to lift my diesel pick up.
 
H

Hiball

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Crusty Nut said:
Ryan, I have one of the low profile Arcan jacks. I think it is a 3 ton. I have used it very regularly for going on 10 years. It fits my needs well. It is nice and low and goes under my hot rods and is strong enough to lift my diesel pick up.
Click to expand...

I know time flies, but im sure that Arcan (Low profile) jacks havent been around for 10 years. Im probably Wrong...And im not calling you a liar, But i generally keep a good tab on new products. Pictures?? Does it look just like the New Low profile models?
 
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rwhite692

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Of course you rely on good quality jack stands to bear the load of the car once you have it jacked up, BUT you still wind up with at least some of your body parts in harms way whilst you fiddle with positioning the jack stands.

So the whole idea of a jack failure of any kind, at any time, scares the **** out of me, enough that I won't go near any of the aluminum import jacks. I can only imagine what kind of quality control and manufacturing finesse is present in the factory that makes those things.

I have an older USA made Craftsman that is still plugging along.

we have several of these back in Mooresville and I'm hoping to retire one to my garage out here in CA someday:


2015909870011691741S600x600Q85.jpg


http://www.brunnhoelzl.com/low_profile_jacks.html
 
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Hiball

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rwhite692 said:
Of course you rely on good quality jack stands to bear the load of the car once you have it jacked up, BUT you still wind up with at least some of your body parts in harms way whilst you fiddle with positioning the jack stands.

So the whole idea of a jack failure of any kind, at any time, scares the **** out of me, enough that I won't go near any of the aluminum import jacks. I can only imagine what kind of quality control and manufacturing finesse is present in the factory that makes those things.

I have an older USA made Craftsman that is still plugging along.

we have several of these back in Mooresville and I'm hoping to retire one to my garage out here in CA someday:

http://www.brunnhoelzl.com/low_profile_jacks.html
Click to expand...


If your Craftsman is USA made, Its either made by Blackhawk or Hein Werner. If its Green/White its Jap. Those Brunnhoelzl jacks are quality... but too my knowledge there not rated very high on the tonnage side as there designed for racing only.
 
D

Dragster Racer

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I already have somethings that I hope will protect me during the next Cali earthquake: Iowa and all the states west of it! LOL!
I have been thinking of an aluminum one for the race trailer. I use a steel one in the shop. Weight really isn't an issue there. Getting the steel one out of the trailer every race day makes me hurt though.
 
C

Crusty Nut

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Hiball said:
I know time flies, but im sure that Arcan (Low profile) jacks havent been around for 10 years. Im probably Wrong...And im not calling you a liar, But i generally keep a good tab on new products. Pictures?? Does it look just like the New Low profile models?
Click to expand...

Your right, time does fly but I had it 3 houses ago so it is at least 8-9 years. It is a model #LL-35 and I got it from Costco.
It looks the same as this, except it is blue and has a square saddle.
http://www.mygaragestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=1597
Is it a "quality" jack? American made? Regardless, it has and continues to serve me well.
 
R

rtremaine

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All 'retail' jacks now-a-days are garbage. Same goes for all of the boutique aluminum 'racing' jacks that i have seen. Below is a @25 year old Snap-On 2 1/2 ton that I bought new. I think it was made by Lincoln. I have rebuilt it three times. It low enough to get under nearly any car. If you can find one of these, buy it.
 

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A

aar0s

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my problem isn't getting the jack under the car but once its under there there's not enough travel in the handle to pump the ram.
hmm, that could be taken sooooo many ways!
 
H

Hiball

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aar0s said:
my problem isn't getting the jack under the car but once its under there there's not enough travel in the handle to pump the ram.
hmm, that could be taken sooooo many ways!
Click to expand...

You dont have that problem with Walker/Lincoln/HW designed jacks, The handle doesnt engage to about 60 degrees or the handle adjust to a lower position specifically for that sitsuation. It is a problem with the YASUI designed jacks, If you dont have room to get a full upstroke your limited on your downstroke.
 
S

SharkD

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dmeadow said:
I googled that one and got a whole slew of bad reports...
Click to expand...

I bought mine in September 2005, which predates the current reviews on the Sears site. I wonder if they changed (Chinese) manufacturers. Mine is still rock solid.

And my 6er is a heavy car. (Like any Bavarian lass, the E24 enjoys the cream puffs.)

I paid $149, BTW.

---

My earlier POS jack was more expensive than I remembered. It was a "Quick Pump Aluminum Jack (118329 Floor Jack)" from Garage Equipment Supply, for which I paid $138.00, purchased, appropriately enough on April fools' day 2005. The model seems to have disappeared from their site.

---

I swung by HF this evening, to pick up some Plano-style boxes, and I have to say, all of the floor jacks on display felt very limp compared to my Chinese Craftsman. The handles felt very loose and the saddles barely seemed to move with a lot of handle motion. I think I'm also spoiled by the fact that it only takes two pumps to raise my jack to the chassis.
 
G

GarageDetailer

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My HF floor jack has performed well over the years. I have also purchased an affordable low profile aluminum jack at Northern Tool (< $130). They usually have one on sale and have a pretty good selection in my store.
 
Z

Zorro13

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Crusty Nut said:
Your right, time does fly but I had it 3 houses ago so it is at least 8-9 years. It is a model #LL-35 and I got it from Costco.
It looks the same as this, except it is blue and has a square saddle.
http://www.mygaragestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=1597
Is it a "quality" jack? American made? Regardless, it has and continues to serve me well.
Click to expand...


I've the jack shown in the link. Got it at Costco for $ 99 a while ago. It's pretty heavy to push and pull, but it's sturdy bulit and trustworthy. Really love it. Good thing is, that it's handle goes down to 0°, so no limitations if pushed way under the car.
 
T

tcianci

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I recall seeing a combination floor jack/jack stand in a C man catalog I think. It was kinda a nice idea (or so it seemed) you used the jack to raise the car via the stand that you could load into the business end of the jack. As you jacked the car the stand would raise and when you released the jack, the stand would latch on the closest rachet tooth and then you could withdraw the jack portion and use it with another stand at your next jacking point. Anyone have any experience with these?
 
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