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Costco Arcan 3.5 ton jack

GRX

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Dec 4, 2006
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Location
MD
Cannot speak for Jersey ... the Costco near me just north of Baltimore where I bought mine still had them at my last visit before Christmas.
 
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kythri

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Jan 3, 2007
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6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
Like others, I can't speak for any stores other than my local ones, but both Albany and Salem, Oregon had a pallet of them in the past two weeks...
 

joe_padavano

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Joined
Feb 26, 2011
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1,788
Location
Northern VA
Costcos in Northern VA still have the Arcan Jacks. Price has come back down to $99 (was up to $124 for a while). I've had mine for over five years now (bought it when they were $79) and never had a problem with it - I use it to lift my crewcab dually all the time. One of the best Chinesium tools I've ever had.
 

kythri

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Jan 3, 2007
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6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
I would point out, if you're new to the thread, and haven't read it all the way through, most/all of the Costco locations are going to be carrying the 3.25 ton model.

Someone mentioned that Arcan had to de-rate it slightly, but that it's the same jack.
 

zakmartin

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Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Messages
620
Location
Seattle, WA
I bought one last year and the first thing I noticed after unpacking it was that the zerk fitting had snapped off. I recovered the ball and it felt like it was made of brittle plastic. I thought, "Great, serves me right. Cheap Chinese Costco ****." It was simple enough to replace the broken zerk with a quality one I had in my parts cabinet. I loaded it with some lithium grease and haven't had a problem with it since. The only other quality issue with mine was a big gouge in the paint just under the sticker. It was irritating, but not a deal breaker. I didn't want to pack it up, lift it back into my Z and return it to Costco, so I just painted it with some car touch-up paint, and it looks okay. Other than the cosmetic issue and the broken zerk, the thing is built like a tank. I bought a polyurethane pad for it off Amazon so it won't do any damage to the underside of my car; the rubber pad it comes with is just weak.

I was actually a bit surprised at how low profile it is. I can't get my other jack under the Z without rolling it up a small ramp first, but the Arcan fits, no problem. I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5, with points deducted for quality control, weight and skimpy pad. I'm going to drain it and replace the jack oil this summer before my next big project. Given how heavy the jack is, I'm not really looking forward to that.

Overall, it was a good deal. It's not the best jack I've ever used, but for the price, it's hard to beat. I wish I could afford a $500 USA jack, but that's just not happening. I have two USA jacks that are 20+ years old that both need to be rebuilt. I'm going to try to get around to that sometime this year.
 

TripleE

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Joined
Nov 29, 2007
Messages
15
Just picked one up from Costco after reading about it all over forums that date back 5+ years! 3.25 version for $99. Everyone was staring at my cart. :rocker:
 

Red89gt

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Joined
Jun 23, 2011
Messages
302
Location
Albany, OH
Great jack, I bought a second one for bigger jobs in the garage and getting whole car in air to put on jack stands. They have been great for last few years for me.

Good luck and enjoy it!
 

allinon72

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Jul 5, 2010
Messages
3,307
Location
Indianapolis
Just a heads up...I was in Costco today and the Arcan jack had an asterisks on the price tag, which generally means the product is being discontinued and once the stock is gone that's it. If you are looking to pick this up, better hurry!
 

Beowulf

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Jul 4, 2011
Messages
377
Well that is too bad. I really like this little jack. Great price and great value. Maybe something new will come along.
 

Provincial

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Sep 21, 2011
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6,869
Location
Near Salem, OR
The local NAPA store has this jack for sale for $140.00. I don't know if they buy them at Costco for resale or get them from another source.
 

stonesfan68

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Apr 19, 2012
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2,758
Location
Houston, TX
The Houston Galleria store had several in stock as of last Sunday, when I picked mine up based on the reviews written in this thread.
 

eeprete

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Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
192
I was at the Nesconset Costco, and they were all out even though some were there about a week ago. I was able to buy the floor model for 10% off, it's labeled 3.5
 

ATC

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May 12, 2012
Messages
8,298
Location
VA
Northern Tool has these on sale for $139 right now. Use the $20 off $100 to bring it to $109...
 

augustus

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Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Messages
164
Location
Columbus, OH
Does anyone know if Costco has a different part number for it? I can't find it on their website. I visited the Costco in Columbus, OH and they didn't have any in stock, but the worker knew what I was talking about at least. Has anyone had any luck in Columbus? The problem with ordering from Northern is that the shipping costs $65 and I would rather have the red one.

Also, thanks everyone for a very useful thread.
 

6-Speed

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Mar 6, 2012
Messages
408
I noticed our local Costco here in Phoenix no longer carries the Arcan jack :(; I've been wanting to buy a second one.
 

djcslice

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Aug 9, 2012
Messages
365
I noticed our local Costco here in Phoenix no longer carries the Arcan jack :(; I've been wanting to buy a second one.

they discontinued them and i am guessing are going to start stocking the Nos Aluminum jack they have online.
 
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WilltheEngineer

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Oct 16, 2010
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310
Location
Central, FL
Does this jack need to be drained & refilled with oil like other jacks, to remove metal shavings?
Apologies if it was coved in this or another post and I missed it.

Picked one up at Northern today, out the door for $127' ($139-$20 coupon).
 

Red89gt

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Jun 23, 2011
Messages
302
Location
Albany, OH
I have had 2 of the arcan jacks for about 3-4 years now.
Never drained and still work and look like new.
 

WilltheEngineer

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Oct 16, 2010
Messages
310
Location
Central, FL
Red89gt, thanks for the post. Just wanted to check with someone that had experience with it.

I know some people have found metal shavings in their oil, in some of the Chinese/Taw. made jacks.

The Arcan is overkill for my needs, but it will give me good margin on my F150 SCrew, and lift height.
 

Beowulf

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Jul 4, 2011
Messages
377
My brother and I both have one. Neither have been drained and both work great.
 

dbonne

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Apr 18, 2013
Messages
305
Location
Southern Idaho
I picked up a 4 of these jacks for free that costco took in for return. 3 of them had a dented cap on the fast lift piston, straightened them out, work perfectly. One was missing the valve linkage. Seem to be solid jacks for the price ;)
 

Stevenn1

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Dec 30, 2013
Messages
345
Location
USA
photo 1.jpg

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photo 3.jpg

Both are ARCAN:

Bought the AJ-35 (red/black) one around 2001 at Costco.

Bought the XL-35 (black) one last week at Northern Tool. So far it works great. I have seen complaints in Northern Tool's reviews that the rear casters are plastic, not true with mine. Other than that, it received high review marks.

The red one would not easily fit under my Mustang GT very well, so thats why i purchased the new low profile version (XL-35). I believe the XL-35 & the XL-35R are the same unit except for color, stickers, and saddle designs. There is also an LL-35 (blue) that Costco sold a couple years ago. All are made in China.
 
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tomshep

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Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
441
If your interest in this jack is for the low clearance you should really check out the HF version. I have one and so far it has been good. It is VERY low and has a good reach. It goes under my car with about 4" clearance no problem. The extra length is also very handy.

Tom
 

lightning02

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Jul 29, 2013
Messages
2,677
i also have the black XL-35 for 3 or 4 years and its been perfect. didnt drain anything nor are my casters plastic, want to get anther but not in the funds right now.

also have a friend with one and no problems either.
 

the tool man

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Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
29
I have an old 2.5 ton jack from Husky very dependable held up a Ford Van e150 for 24 hours no problems
 

allinon72

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Jul 5, 2010
Messages
3,307
Location
Indianapolis
Are these Arcan floor jacks still available at Costco? They have them at Northern Tool for $139.

Jack

They have been replaced with a different model that is lightweight aluminum. The capacity and clearance is not as good, but it looks more impressive on the shelf.
 

BeastonAkron

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
16
With the Arcan jack no longer being stocked at Costco, what is a similar priced alternative?

The Harbor freight 3 ton with rapid pump?
 

Evan(CA)

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Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
996
With the Arcan jack no longer being stocked at Costco, what is a similar priced alternative?

The Harbor freight 3 ton with rapid pump?

Costco cycles their products often, it will be back. I think the 3.25 ton Arcan is at my Costco currently. The HF jack is nowhere near the quality of the Arcan.
 

BeastonAkron

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
16
Called all the local Costcos with high hopes, only to find they are currently only carrying the arcan aluminum version. Perhaps I will wait a little longer and see if they eventually decide to carry the xl35 soon.
 

eeprete

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Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
192
Does anyone know the thread and bolt size of the set screw bolt for the handle Arcan (the bolt that attaches it to the jack chassis)?
 

GRX

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Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
2,032
Location
MD
These bolts are often lost so I took a few minutes to look at my jack. The bolt size is M12 1.75 x 19.25mm. However, it is not a standard bolt. More of a shouldered set screw that must fit into the groove on the handle. (image below)

If it were me I'd cut a standard bolt to length, then form the smaller diameter shoulder on the bench grinder. Doesn't have to be pretty. Most important is total length. The bolt head needs to tighten against the jack housing but still be short enough to allow the handle to spin.

Hope this helps.

(edit)
Here is a link to the product page & owner's manual.
http://www.powerstationusa.com/brands/Arcan/product.php?mod=XL35R
 

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