l_bilyk
Well-known member
Anyone got one? How do you like them?
Those off-shore aluminum jacks
- Thread starter l_bilyk
- Start date
I've used the **** outta mine for a couple years now. It doesn't let itself down all the way by itself anymore, but for the $100 or whatever I paid, it has served me well.
Keep in mind that if you use it, most of the time you will HATE using a normal jack. It's so light, easily manueverable. That whole not having to pump a million times to get the jack up is also awesome.
Keep in mind that if you use it, most of the time you will HATE using a normal jack. It's so light, easily manueverable. That whole not having to pump a million times to get the jack up is also awesome.
evildky
Well-known member
I've got one of the bogger ones, they offer 3 sizes, mine has been beaten abused hauled to numerous races and used in my garage and has had not one single problem! worth every penny! my one complaint is that it's lifting capacity is limited, I think it's supposed to be able to lift 2 tons IIRC but my 5300 lb truck is just too much for it (keep in mind 5300 is the whole truck and jacking involves only about half that) the little ones they offer look to be as junky and the small metal ones, if your gonna get a floor jack got a full size, those small ones are toys and aren't stable enough to make me feel safe reguardless of what name is on the side
sherburne
New member
I bought the $199 Craftsman 2 ton aluminum for about $150 w/coupon and sale. 3 years of regular home use. It's great.
bigdaddygn
New member
ditto on the Craftsman 
, 149.99 on sale 2 years ago. I will never have another steel jack again.
, 149.99 on sale 2 years ago. I will never have another steel jack again.KCHOTBOAT
Well-known member
I had to pick up one to raise the vette up since the jack I use to jack the dually up with will not even roll under the car. I picked mine up at HF for 60 or 70. Sams club had a better one which I should have picked up.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
KCHOTBOAT said:
I use that same HF one for my 93 and so far it hasn't disappointed mew.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
The craftsman aluminum race jacks are NICE! Its too bad they are made overseas, but most of the cheap ones are
Jim
Jim
awdirtdrifter
Well-known member
I have used the HF one for a few years--no problems yet.
danski0224
Well-known member
Any US made aluminum ones out there?
z28toz06
Well-known member
z28toz06
Well-known member
finn
Well-known member
Well... Ive got one and it works fine, didn't give it a second thought until I say my son's. His failed catastrophically while lifting the front of his Toyota Land Cruiser a couple of inches to get it off the jack stands.
Nobody hurt, but it could have been a bad scene. The aluminum casting of the lifting element failed. This was I believe an "MIT" version, but it looks to be the same as the lower priced Harbor Freight unit.
Alan
Nobody hurt, but it could have been a bad scene. The aluminum casting of the lifting element failed. This was I believe an "MIT" version, but it looks to be the same as the lower priced Harbor Freight unit.
Alan
...dave
Well-known member
Out of five cars, only one comes in under two tons, so i wouldn't even consider it. i picked up a 3-ton Craftsman for $99 on sale... i don't need light weight, i need confidence in my equipment.
...dave
...dave
dboat
Well-known member
bigdaddygn said:ditto on the Craftsman
+1
gerry
Well-known member
I've had a HF version for four or five years now. No problems but everything I pick up is light, around 2000#. Seems like it is only 1 1/2 ton rated, but for me and my MG's it works out fine
eschoendorff
Well-known member
gerry said:
Same here, except for I use it on the vette and my wife's car. I think here car's rated at 3900 lbs, but it's not like I'm picking up all 3900 lbs at one time. BTW... I store my jack with the pressure release turned fully clockwise. I guess the idea is that no air will get in there. Not sure if it matters, but it makes me feel better and has worked so far.
dboat
Well-known member
eschoendorff said:
I had always been told to do just the opposite and relieve the pressure on the jack.. so what is it supposed to be?
Dana
eschoendorff
Well-known member
l_bilyk said:
93 Ruby. BTW, I'm eschoendorff on CorvetteForum.com
Coach James
Well-known member
eschoendorff, not meaning this as a wideguy question, but do you have cushions under your corvette's tires?
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Not really... to lessen the effect of flatspotting over the winter, I inflated my tires to about 43 psi (up from 35). Then I took some cardboard and wrapped it in a trash bag and placed it under each tire so that the tires would not be on the bare [damp] concrete all winter. Cheap, and so far effective. but not exactly pretty.
Oh no kidding! I haven't been posting on the corvetteforum much lately
And come to think of it.. my tires are underinflated... i'll have flat spots for sure
So your jack doesn't have a hard time lifting the car by the engine cradle or from the rear diff? They say it's not OK to just jack up one corner at a time
And come to think of it.. my tires are underinflated... i'll have flat spots for sure
So your jack doesn't have a hard time lifting the car by the engine cradle or from the rear diff? They say it's not OK to just jack up one corner at a time
dboat
Well-known member
eschoendorff said:
but not exactly pretty.
Hmmm, I hadnt thought of that.. I usually end up taking mine out and doing a 80-100 run in them until they warm up and its fixed after that..
Dana
dboat
Well-known member
l_bilyk said:thats my plan
but it's always a bumpy ride
True True, but when its the first one of the Spring.. Its always good to be back in the saddle again..
Dana
Coach James
Well-known member
Ahh ok. That makes sense. I knew some Corvette owners treated their vettes with kid gloves but I had never heard of anyone parking on pillows before. Down here in North Carolina we don't have the same winter driving hazards as you folks in Michigan. Many thanks.
Coach
Coach
eschoendorff
Well-known member
l_bilyk said:Oh no kidding! I haven't been posting on the corvetteforum much lately
And come to think of it.. my tires are underinflated... i'll have flat spots for sure
So your jack doesn't have a hard time lifting the car by the engine cradle or from the rear diff? They say it's not OK to just jack up one corner at a time
I jack my car up one side at a time (NASCAR style) and I even made a little saddle out of uni-strut to fit between the jack pad and the frame of the car. i have done it this way for a couple of years w/o any problems.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
l_bilyk said:
Brake lines on the driver's side, fuel lines on the passenger side.
BTW... here's a great resource for jacking up your vette. Works for all C4s. This is basically how I jack mine up:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/jackupzr1.htm
I have a Michelin (as in the tire company) aluminum jack I got from Canadian Tire. Paid far too much for it but I broke my last jack on a Sunday, needed the car down by Monday and had previously developed a desire for an alum jack. It's a decent unit and after closely examining some of the cheaper units (such as at Princess Auto) I believe I bought a better model than I knew. So far no problems, love the light weight of it and the jack handle is stout and easy to control pressure with. No regrets.