Does Anyone Make a Quality Scissor Jack?

[RAS61]

I'm planning to install a new exhaust on an old British car. Need to get it up in the air to get underneath and am considering jack options. I could go with a service jack, but was thinking a scissor jack might be a better option - low profile for this low/light car, cheaper(?), and easier to store since it won't be used a lot. Problem is everything I've researched and found is cheap garbage from China that bends and fails. I'll be using jack stands so won't be depending on it for support when working underneath, but still want something that works well, I can depend on, and won't drop my car - any ideas?

 

[Iridium rand]

Scissor jacks seem to mainly exist as a cheap option for emergency use, cheap compact and light to be kept in the trunk for a roadside tire change, most people if they want a better jack just go with an inherently better design, ie: hydraulic and other than being heavier, I don’t think a little 2-ton floor jack would be any issue storing and they’re pretty inexpensive as well

Also keep in mind the vast majority of these are sold to automakers who want the absolute cheapest POS they can include as possible or not give you one at all, don’t think there’s much of a market for what you’re looking for

 

[jayemm]

You might consider the screw type jack that for example were (are?) supplied with Toyota 4Runner or light trucks. When I investigated them last year you could get one in like new condition for about $40 (ebay) and they are definitely stouter than a scissor jack.

 

[RAS61]

...go with an inherently better design, ie: hydraulic and other than being heavier, I don’t think a little 2-ton floor jack would be any issue storing and they’re pretty inexpensive as well

Yeah, I thought about a quality bottle jack, but even the short ones are a bit tall for this low profile car. I also considered floor jacks, but you either go with a 100 lb quality jack made in the US or Japan, or again have to go with more questionable quality from China. Maybe I just need to find room for a good floor jack even if it's not used much - would definitely make changing and rotating tires easier

 

[lardy1]

I used a trolley jack and stands before I bought a floor jack. I never felt secure in it though. That's why I got a floor jack.

 

[RAS61]

You might consider the screw type jack that for example were (are?) supplied with Toyota 4Runner or light trucks. When I investigated them last year you could get one in like new condition for about $40 (ebay) and they are definitely stouter than a scissor jack.

Yeah, I have one of those in my Landcruiser, but they're a bit too tall, made for an SUV that's higher off the ground; same reason a bottle jack won't work. I need something under 5" or so

 

[dnschmidt]

Go to Harbor Freight and get the small aluminum racing jack. I've got a spare one. If you lived in Phoenix I'd sell it to you cheap since I have three other floor jacks and it's not used. Best option in your case. Two choices: The one I've got for sale is the second option.

1.5 ton Professional Racing Series Aluminum Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

Amazing deals on this 1.5T Aluminum Racing Jack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

1.5 Ton Low-Profile Aluminum Racing Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

Amazing deals on this 1.5T Aluminum Racing Jack W/ Rapid Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[RTM]

Go to a junkyard, get a vintage one. The older ones seem much more stout than newer ones. Even the one in my 2001 RAV4 looks better than Amazon stuff.
Just make sure the attaching bit will work with your car.

 

[RAS61]

Go to Harbor Freight and get the small aluminum racing jack.

Yep, was considering them, just hate buying anything made there. Taiwan would be OK, but it seems all import jacks are made on the mainland. Similar to a few years ago when I lost my C-Saw in a flood and tried to replace it, every current new one was made in China - ended up buying a used one made in American instead

 

[Kscardsfan]

Go to Harbor Freight and get the small aluminum racing jack. I've got a spare one. If you lived in Phoenix I'd sell it to you cheap since I have three other floor jacks and it's not used. Best option in your case. Two choices: The one I've got for sale is the second option.

1.5 ton Professional Racing Series Aluminum Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

Amazing deals on this 1.5T Aluminum Racing Jack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

1.5 Ton Low-Profile Aluminum Racing Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

Amazing deals on this 1.5T Aluminum Racing Jack W/ Rapid Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

That second one pictured is a screaming bargain on sale.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Yep, was considering them, just hate buying anything made there. Taiwan would be OK, but it seems all import jacks are made on the mainland. Similar to a few years ago when I lost my C-Saw in a flood and tried to replace it, every current new one was made in China - ended up buying a used one made in American instead

I admire your wanting to avoid PRC, but in this case it’s a no win for you unless you get lucky and someone around is getting divorced and needs to unload assets.

 

[bscman]

Go to your local junkyard.

I just swung through ours this week. They've got pallet racking FULL of all types of OEM jacks. I bet there's at least 300.
$5 if it's rusty and cruddy.
$10 if it still looks new and has the handle/rod. Most of them look brand new, straight out of the car. Let's face it, they don't get used much.

Just about any OEM jack from the 90's/00's will beat the quality you'll find on eBay/Amazon/harbor freight and you'll see a ton more variety.

 

[speed bump]

If you want a good scissor jack go with a surplus humvee one. Otherwise buy a 1.5 ton HF aluminum one and get the work done. If that really bothers you find a couple of local powerlifters and have them deadlift the back end of the car.

 

[ajchien]

A larger scissor jack is the Hummer H1 jack. Search and take a look for them on eBay.

 

[The Bean]

I used to have an MG Midget. Sat about 4" off the ground. No jack; just lift it up and set it on the curb.

 

[Vercingetorix]

OEM aluminum Porsche jack and grind off the nub If you need to.

 

[mikegt4]

Why would you even consider purchasing a scissor jack to lift a car in your garage. A floor jack or at least a bottle jack to get it up and jack stands in place before going under the car. Back in the 1960's I used scissor jacks to lift my British sports cars, I still have the jacks but I use them for tasks such as positioning exhaust systems while I tighten the hangers and clamps. Just did that very task on my Audi ur-Quattro yesterday. That is about the only thing they are good for these days. Car too low? Drive it onto a 2x4 to gain a little floor clearance.

 

[Kscardsfan]

…If that really bothers you find a couple of local powerlifters and have them deadlift the back end of the car.

I like your being creative with problem solving.

 

[RAS61]

OEM aluminum Porsche jack and grind off the nub If you need to.

OK, but what would that cost? Anything like that attached to the "Porsche" name is probably more than an alum floor jack

 

[RAS61]

That second one pictured is a screaming bargain on sale.

unfortunately THIS is the answer...very sad!

 

[Kscardsfan]

unfortunately THIS is the answer...very sad!

It’s the world we live anymore.

 

[Super Mech]

I do a lot of work for Hertz car rental. About a year ago there were certain model GM’s coming from the factory with plastic scissor jacks. You read that right. The only thing that wasn’t plastic was the screw and the saddle that touches the vehicle. They had complaints of them shattering and we had to remove them from the cars and throw them away. I keep one and have it at the shop as a conversation piece. I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it. Weighed next to nothing.
I would go with a small aluminum floor jack, cheap, easy to store and maneuver, and can be used on other vehicles.

 

[Vercingetorix]

OK, what does that cost? Just sayin - sounds a lot like having a custom made floor jack made

Check wrecking yards.

 

[ChefRex]

30 years or so ago I worked in an insurance savage yard, I would collect all the jacks out of Astro vans, beefyist jack you could find, I still have a few I use at work and the garage.

 

[ChefRex]

Stock and modified,

 

[ChefRex]

You could also check out a motorcycle jack,

 

[RAS61]

I do a lot of work for Hertz car rental. About a year ago there were certain model GM’s coming from the factory with plastic scissor jacks. You read that right. The only thing that wasn’t plastic was the screw and the saddle that touches the vehicle. They had complaints of them shattering and we had to remove them from the cars and throw them away. I keep one and have it at the shop as a conversation piece. I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it. Weighed next to nothing.
I would go with a small aluminum floor jack, cheap, easy to store and maneuver, and can be used on other vehicles.

Holy $...!, imagine how brittle that plastic would be if you had to change a flat when the temp is below zero! talk about a Lawsuit waiting to happen

Concerning an Alum Jack, I looked into spending more on a Ranger model, and spending over 2X still only gets you something made in the ROC - looks like it will be the $99 one from HF

 

[RAS61]

30 years or so ago I worked in an insurance savage yard, I would collect all the jacks out of Astro vans, beefyist jack you could find, I still have a few I use at work and the garage.

Nice wide/flat saddle on top, like that it has a nut for wrenching instead of a hole for a loop handle, would be good to have one around, will keep an eye out

 

[crewchief888]

Go to a junkyard, get a vintage one. The older ones seem much more stout than newer ones. Even the one in my 2001 RAV4 looks better than Amazon stuff.
Just make sure the attaching bit will work with your car.

the 2 that i have i picked up at junkyards 20 years ago.

 

[CJM8515]

3rd the older GM van/fullsize truck if you really want a scissor jack.

 

[slik560]

Quick jack. Did you mean something like this instead of a plain old car jack? www.quickjack.com Snap on used to make a large version of this type of jack but even well used ones are hard to find and crazy expensive

 

[Qualitytools]

OK, but what would that cost? Anything like that attached to the "Porsche" name is probably more than an alum floor jack

$200 + to $400.

 

[RAS61]

A larger scissor jack is the Hummer H1 jack. Search and take a look for them on eBay.

Looked at them, certainly strong enough, but have a plug at the top that must fit into the frame at the jacking points. If that can be easily cut off or removed it would definitely be a contender

 

[slik560]

I'm missing the objective. Are we looking at a scissor-type lift, like Quickjack [$1500 at least] or a decent scissor type jack for lifting one side at a time? I don't want to confuse things with irrelevant info....like I usually do.

 

[bubinga]

I do a lot of work for Hertz car rental. About a year ago there were certain model GM’s coming from the factory with plastic scissor jacks. You read that right. The only thing that wasn’t plastic was the screw and the saddle that touches the vehicle. They had complaints of them shattering and we had to remove them from the cars and throw them away. I keep one and have it at the shop as a conversation piece. I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it. Weighed next to nothing.
I would go with a small aluminum floor jack, cheap, easy to store and maneuver, and can be used on other vehicles.

I wouldn't mind having some of them for under a drill press table though.

 

[RAS61]

I'm missing the objective. Are we looking at a scissor-type lift, like Quickjack [$1500 at least] or a decent scissor type jack for lifting one side at a time? I don't want to confuse things with irrelevant info....like I usually do.

Originally was looking for a traditional Scissor jack, not a lift. I've decided an Alum floor jack is the way to go, but a good scissor jack could still be useful so will keep an eye out for one

 

[bubinga]

Originally was looking for a traditional Scissor jack, not a lift. I've decided an Alum floor jack is the way to go, but a good scissor jack could still be useful so will keep an eye out for one

Yes, scissor jacks are good for many things, however raising a vehicle to support on jack stands is not one of them, IMO.

 

[bubinga]

Originally was looking for a traditional Scissor jack, not a lift. I've decided an Alum floor jack is the way to go, but a good scissor jack could still be useful so will keep an eye out for one

I understand the aluminum harbor freight floor jack is decent but I just picked up a jack at home Depot for $138.50 to my door. One difference being, it carries a one-year warranty whereas harbor freight, 99% of their jacks only carry a 90-day warranty.
I'll be back let me dig up the link.
No unfortunately it's back up to 179.00 for $100 more you can get the Daytona with a 3-year warranty, or the Daytona clone at Menards which if I recall correctly carries a 3-year warranty as well see links

Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Lift HD00120-DIP - The Home Depot

The Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Contact has a dual-pump design for a quick and hassle-free lift whenever you need it. This 3 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack can quickly lift up to 6,000 lbs

www.homedepot.com

 

[bubinga]

Husky at Home Depot

Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Lift HD00120-DIP - The Home Depot

The Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Contact has a dual-pump design for a quick and hassle-free lift whenever you need it. This 3 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack can quickly lift up to 6,000 lbs

www.homedepot.com

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/automotive/automotive-tools-shop-equipment/masterforce-trade-3-ton-heavy-duty-floor-jack/t830008/p-1555569041912-c-9113.htm?tid=7363773939370485379&ipos=3

 

[david3921]

I had this style of bottle jack in my Isuzu Amigo. Always seemed to work well when I used it. What's nice about it is that you can snug it up to the frame quickly by turning they knob by hand and then it goes up quickly with the crank rod. Below is a slightly different style than I had but doing a search on eBay using "Isuzu jack" gets many cheap results.

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