Transmission Jack

[Lucid Moments]

I have a cheap transmission jack and have learned to actively dislike the darned thing. Part of my dislike is that it actually does get the job done, but just barely. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good transmission jack that I can get for $600 to $700?

 

[housewolf]

I have an ATD that I believe was ~$750ish and came with a Yeti cooler promotion. I shopped quite a bit when I bought it and felt like it was the best I could do in that price range. A friend bought a reconditioned blue point for $800 I would have rather bought that couldn’t find another. I have no complaints whatsoever with the ATD and there are likely other identical imports. It makes trans or converter swaps a breeze with only one person.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I have a cheap transmission jack and have learned to actively dislike the darned thing. Part of my dislike is that it actually does get the job done, but just barely. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good transmission jack that I can get for $600 to $700?

I inherited one similar to yours, but I haven't used it yet. Can you specify exactly what you don't like about it, and what advantage you expect to gain from an upgrade to a more expensive unit?

 

[housewolf]

I inherited one similar to yours, but I haven't used it yet. Can you specify exactly what you don't like about it, and what advantage you expect to gain from an upgrade to a more expensive unit?

I can tell you what turns me off on it:

• The head only adjusts one way
• It’s single stage (kind of tall when lowered)
• The base appears kind of small
• You need to use a hand to raise or lower it

But that’s just from looking at the picture

Things I can do with mine (alone) you would find more difficult with the single stage:

• I can slide a trans from my table top or the tailgate of my truck onto it
• I can adjust the tilt front/back & left/right easily positioning it perfectly
• I can raise or lower it by foot, freeing up both hands

ETA: I’m not saying it’s an unusable piece of junk, just that when working alone a two stage with more features is much appreciated

 

[Lucid Moments]

I inherited one similar to yours, but I haven't used it yet. Can you specify exactly what you don't like about it, and what advantage you expect to gain from an upgrade to a more expensive unit?

The biggest things were identified by housewolf.

• It is too tall at it's lowest height. Chest high for me which makes it a pain to get a trans on or off.
• You have to use your hands to raise or lower it. I like to be able to have my hands on the transmission for small adjustments
• The head is poorly designed for adjustment. It is actually adjustable four ways, but is difficult to adjust with weight on it.

 

[pbon]

I like 2 stage so it can be lower than 4’ minimum height. In 2019 I bought a Derek Weaver when they were on sale for $339. Prices for everything have gone up since then.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Would one of these work for you? Take the handle off, and convert the “brake handle” lower lever to a pedal.

What kind of lift do you have that only lifts chest height?

 

[finn]

Mine is a single stage import. I think it’s a Sunnex.

It works, but being a single stage, the collapsed height is rather tall. If I had a do-over, I would pay the extra money for a multi stage version.

Try to find one with a smaller footprint so the legs and feet aren’t in the way. Size it for what you’re working on. The biggest and baddest isn’t the best, unless you’re working on medium duty truck transmissions.

By the way, I probably use mine more as a tool holder under the car more than as an actual jack, so look for something with a good flat surface, or the possibility of adding a removable tray, to hold wrenches and impacts, as well as small parts.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Things I can do with mine (alone) you would find more difficult with the single stage:

• I can slide a trans from my table top or the tailgate of my truck onto it
• I can adjust the tilt front/back & left/right easily positioning it perfectly
• I can raise or lower it by foot, freeing up both hands

ETA: I’m not saying it’s an unusable piece of junk, just that when working alone a two stage with more features is much appreciated

I hadn't bothered to look carefully at the picture in the link supplied by Lucid (OP).
Upon closer inspection I see many differences between his and mine, in fact, mine is more similar to yours than his, except mine red, not blue. Probably an offshore knockoff, but it still appears way better than I thought. It is a two stage unit, the tray at it's lowest is about belt high, I can raise & lower it by foot, and has the same tilt adjustment you describe.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I enjoy my used Gray branded transmission jack. Might want to look around on Marketplace.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Would one of these work for you? Take the handle off, and convert the “brake handle” lower lever to a pedal.

What kind of life do you have that only lifts chest height?

It only lowers to chest height. It lifts to something like 73 inches.

 

[Shadowdog500]

It only lowers to chest height. It lifts to something like 73 inches.

How high is the bottom of your car when your car lift is fully raised?

 

[Lucid Moments]

How high is the bottom of your car when your car lift is fully raised?

I have never actually measured it but I have to lower the lift a little to put a transmission in. So probably close to 6 feet.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have never actually measured it but I have to lower the lift a little to put a transmission in. So probably close to 6 feet.

I have one similar to the blue one in post #2 and it should work fine under your lift and I wouldn’t even consider doing it any other way. My days of bench pressing transmissions in are wayyyy behind me!

Why do you have to lower your lift to pull or install the trans?

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have one similar to the blue one in post #2 and it should work fine under your lift and I wouldn’t even consider doing it any other way. My days of bench pressing transmissions in are wayyyy behind me!

Why do you have to lower your lift to pull or install the trans?

When I am working under a car I frequently have the lift at its highest point. The trans jack can't quite go quite that high.

 

[Aileron]

Why do you have to lower your lift to pull or install the trans?

In took it to mean the transmission jack. He has to get the trans from the floor or table height to chest height to remove or intall it on the jack itself.

 

[housewolf]

When I am working under a car I frequently have the lift at its highest point. The trans jack can't quite go quite that high.

Mine is same way except I usually work on mine at the second highest notch. I’m 5’-10” and can’t reach half the stuff I work on at the highest point. I only use the highest notch when I’m storing another car below

When you mentioned lowering the lift it reminded me of pre trans jack days. Set the trans on a stool and lower the car to the trans. Those days are over!

 

[rust in the eye]

No more transmissions that can be wrestled into place by even two strong men. A good trans jack is almost mandatory.
Cheap versions are perfunctory at best. Fighting with heavy objects suspended several feet above the ground can hurt you.
I had one, an older professional version that must have cost it's original owner a fortune. It could be rolled roughly into place, adjustments made and the trans would slip right in. Worked great but big and bulky using up limited floor space. I sold it for space constraints.
Unless using frequently or you have a lot room to keep stuff I don't think one is worth the $$ for an amateur even if you get lucky with a screaming deal like I did. I now borrow or rent one when needed.

 

[rust in the eye]

It only lowers to chest height. It lifts to something like 73 inches.

Not likely to perform well. I'm sure it'll do the lifting just fine but aligning a 200#+ trans requires finesse this doesn't have. Plus the table will be in the way.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Get a two stage transmission lift. They usually go from a little under 3’ fully down and a little over 6’ fully up, and the up and down are controlled by foot pedals. Amazon has a bunch of them. I bought mine about 10 years ago from Greg Smith in Deleware for around $600, but they are not in business anymore. Read the reviews on whatever one you get. The one I bought from Greg smith was made out of cheap porous metal and hydraulic oil wound up seeping through random spots in the paint after a couple years.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I took some photos of my atlas 1/2 ton lift.

It lowers to 35”



Raises to a smidge under 72”



Has up and down pedals



Is a good working height (compare to hf 4 drawer cart on left)



And fits under my pallet rack bench with my parts washer and chop saw.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I haven't done anything about getting a new trans jack so now I am in the process of pulling another transmission using my crappy one again. So I am about to pull the trigger on a new one.

Does anyone know anything against this Sunex 7793B transmission jack? I will probably be ordering it from Summit before the end of the day today otherwise.

Thanks all

 

[ex-x-fire]

We've got one at work, pretty good ****** jack.