Harbor Freight 3 Ton Daytona Jack Versus Snap On FJ300 Jack
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Loscaldazar
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Can you measure the saddle height at it's lowest point? HF lists 3.5" in one place, and 3-3/4 in another. That 1/4" does make a difference for me
Super Sport
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I have the jack you're referencing, and the foot pump is nice, but I really don't use it often. It wouldn't be a selling point alone for me. But overall, it is a great jack and I am very pleased with it. It's low enough to lift my Camaro and goes high enough to get my truck well off the ground.
Here u go
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Is it a result of the camera angle, or is that saddle not level with the rest of the jack? The line near the 2" mark on the tape, the part that lifts the saddle, looks to be parallel with the axle of the jack. The saddle does not look parallel to that line. Is it?
THE HF jack in those pics looks pretty nice, would be great to hear some reviews. The detailed tech specs posted earlier however clearly show two different jacks (a 2T and a 3T), tho they are also clearly blueprinted off of the same underlying design. 
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Interesting to note the height is mostly in the wheels, which are smaller on the snappy to get the minimum height down 1/4 inch to 3.5 from 3.75.
That means the lift is also ~1/2 inch greater, as the snappy is topping out higher max height vs HF. Lastly, there is a 1 (!) sub-component clearly different in the HF unit, but this is about the only ovious difference in the engineering diagrams. It may also have to do with being a 2T vs 3T design.
It would be quite interesting to see if its worth doing any tuner-style light modifications to the cheaper jack. Any of you jack experts want to chime in if a custoom-rebuilt HF is likely better than an out of the box unit?
That means the lift is also ~1/2 inch greater, as the snappy is topping out higher max height vs HF. Lastly, there is a 1 (!) sub-component clearly different in the HF unit, but this is about the only ovious difference in the engineering diagrams. It may also have to do with being a 2T vs 3T design.
It would be quite interesting to see if its worth doing any tuner-style light modifications to the cheaper jack. Any of you jack experts want to chime in if a custoom-rebuilt HF is likely better than an out of the box unit?
Strouty
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Snap on decided to underrate the capacity of the jack. I am guessing to cover the proverbial ***. I know that the rep and dealer were asking people to try and pick heavy things, then take a picture and send it to them. I saw tractor trailers up in the air and I lifted part of my big forklift as well as the entire *** end of my F350 dump truck.
It's the way I'm holding my phone and tape measure. Believe it or not it's kind of difficult to hold a tape measure and look at my phone to hit the "snap" button on the screen while holding everything an inch off be ground lol
If anyone wants anymore measurements or anything let me know and I'll get them. I can flop it on my scale aswell to get a weight measurement.
I have used this Jack a couple times now and it is an awesome Jack. It raises up to the vehicle frame so quick and pumps up very nice after that. Has a nice realease and is quiet when releasing also. The Jack handle is indeed steel which makes it an awesome extension piece to use on my breaker bar in those rare instances.
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Doubtful... Generally manufacturers err at a maximum of 25% above rated load with the safety valve. The majority of people today have no idea how much tonnage they are lifting, crack the *** end of my 1 ton truck.. Yep, I better go grab the 10 ton Jack.
Oh boy...
PBCampbell
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This jack looks like a winner so far, only time will tell for sure, but H.F. jacks seem to have a decent reputation with the noncommercial crowd. I bought one of the 2 ton long frame jacks 2 or 3 years ago and have been happy with it for the occasional use it sees, but I'd have no problem dropping a few extra dollars for this if it had been available at the time.
Burgerkong
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THE HF jack in those pics looks pretty nice, would be great to hear some reviews. The detailed tech specs posted earlier however clearly show two different jacks (a 2T and a 3T), tho they are also clearly blueprinted off of the same underlying design.
If you look closely at the SO drawing, the crossbar where the ram slides into is merely hidden by the frame, it's the same alright.
WhiskeyRanger
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RV8guy
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Just picked one up today. Pretty beefy looking unit. Seems bigger in person than in the pictures.
Strouty
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It took a lot more than 5000 pounds before the Snap On jack bypassed.
Assuming your talking about the FJ200 not the FJ300 which is being compared in this thread? I see no reason that the 3 ton model wouldn't handle 5000lbs easily, Regardless, I've tested enough jacks on a calibrated test station to know Manufacturers aren't in the business of setting limits outrageously above the jacks rating, it's not only the Hydraulic system/seals that they are protecting, but also the frame/hardware, not to mention the liability involved. I hate to admit it... Maybe there is something to the RED paint <---- sarcasm.
I would also like to add, I had a conversation with a engineer here at GJ when I first joined up, He explained that there is a mechanical advantage when lifting "only" from a corner or front/rear that necessarily doesn't equate the total weight of that half of the vehicle.
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Strouty
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What I am saying is that the daytona and the FJ200 are the same minus the seals/fluid/paint and stickers. The FJ200 was pushed as grossly underrated. I thought the FJ300 was a lot bigger, but apparently it is only a few pounds heavier than the FJ200 and the daytona.
I won't comment on the "push for grossly underrated", I understand the Desire for Snap on to "push" there product line. I won't speculate on whether the jacks utilize the same seal components, but I have a gut feeling and I'll leave it at that. I'm sure it won't be long before I run into one or both, I've done work for Snap on dealers in the past, it's a proven fact that Techs can break anything, I just need to get my hands on a FJ model hydraulic unit prior to be shipped off.
You say the seals are different? How do you know this. Not saying that I know they aren't but how and why do you think they are? It's a seal....I honestly don't see a Chinese company making the same Jack and they make one with one set and another with a different set but yet they still highly advertise the 3 year warranty on the HF
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It's not just a seal, it's the type of seal used, and when comparing a Oring/retainer to a Poly Ucup you are Night in day in regards to sealing ability and most importantly longevity. And Yes.... These Chinese companies do make jacks to different specs, multiple different varieties across the board. It's not just 1 factory pumping these jacks out, Unless someone has some insight on the components of the HF Jack versus the SO, it's all speculation.
Strouty
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This entire thread is total speculation, that is what makes it fun.
Hiball, as far as I have been told, the FJ's three year warranty is a replacement pump swap. The dealer just does a quick swap and sends the old one back.
90zcar, according to snap on, they do some final assembly in the States, so maybe they change things out, clean things up, test them out. Of course it could mean they slap a sticker on them.
Hiball, as far as I have been told, the FJ's three year warranty is a replacement pump swap. The dealer just does a quick swap and sends the old one back.
90zcar, according to snap on, they do some final assembly in the States, so maybe they change things out, clean things up, test them out. Of course it could mean they slap a sticker on them.
Yes, for the most part it's always been a pump swap/repair for Snap on, I know this because I've handled some of the "warranty" repair in the past and kept multiple dealers stocked with fresh units and was paid directly by Snap on.
Coach James
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A local garage I pass by each day has two Daytonas among their stash of jacks. I was a bit surprised as I assumed commercial garages would be using high dollar jacks. I guess the boss figures they are a good value.
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Strouty
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Wait, so you repair jacks?
I am actually thinking about buying one of the daytona jacks and setting it side by side with the FJ200, just for giggles.
RV8guy
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How does the Daytona compare to HF's other jack offerings?
I'm hoping you do. I was going to ask it someone from Maryland wanted to spring for the snappy and I'll get the Daytona or visa versa. Then head to head one day at my shop.Wait, so you repair jacks?
I am actually thinking about buying one of the daytona jacks and setting it side by side with the FJ200, just for giggles.
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A lot of people seem to like the other HF jacks and have good luck with them. Especially for the price. They also make a really nice 2 ton low prifile Jack that had a saddle height that's 2 or some odd inches tall.
I personally had an old Chinese craftsman Jack that was about 15 years old that started to get a little tired. Honestly made more sense to but this than to repair that. Plus the craftsman was a little on the tall side
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rjvjeepster
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I've had great luck with my 4 ton one from HF. It's about 4 years old. Better than my Craftsman 3 ton I had before it. I'd be interested in the Daytona one if it can lift into the 23-24" range.
Strouty and 90zcar... When overloaded or lifting at an angle do the daytona or fj200 slant or lift a wheel off the ground? Both sound like stout jacks but I care a lot about balance. Which is why I don't care much for lightweight racing style jacks.
Strouty
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I did not notice any twisting on the fj200.
FYI, Any Jack used repeatedly on uneven surfaces will eventually suffer the 3 legged dog syndrome, same goes for Jack stands used on uneven surfaces.
I did spend some time at HF yesterday and gave the Jack a visual once over, I thing I didn't like was the lack of valves on top of the Jack. I'm not a big fan of the cartridge type valve, and since there where only 2 valve plugs, I'm wagering one is the safety overload and the other is the high side bypass.... Sigh, this tells me that more than likely Each pump carries a cartridge under it.Strouty
Well-known member
Hiball, how is that different from the FJ jacks? Curious if we could take the HF body and add the FJ pump, IIRC it was like $170 for a new pump that just bolted in. If they truly share the same frame it could be a way to get a decent jack for less than new Snap On price. Just another one of my hairbrain thoughts.