Floor jack for low-clearance vehicle?

[iron block]

I need some collective wisdom from the GJ experts about finding a floor jack for a vehicle with only 6" of clearance underneath.

I'd like to roll a jack in from the front so I can reach the central jacking point, which is about 3' from the front of the air dam. My vintage Hein-Werner floor jack isn't even close to fitting under the car.

What would you recommend for a low-height floor jack these days? I did search the GJ archives, but did not find what I was looking for.

Thanks for any light you can shed.

 

[Nova231]

A couple of years ago, I was in the same boat as you, and after much research I found some information about Compaq jacks being ideal for low clearance vehicles, and had several recommendations for AC hydraulics jacks.

In the end, I purchased a Compaq model 90555 floor jack from reverselogic.us. I've been very pleased with the jack, and it has been perfect for my needs. I believe they are made in Denmark. They are expensive, though. As I recall, I bought mine during a promotion and got two ESCO jackstands with it.

Full disclosure: Last year, I received communication from the US distributor of Compaq, informing me that my jack was being recalled out of an abundance of caution due to some concern about the material composition of the lifting arm. They shipped me a brand new jack at no cost, and instructed me to destroy the old jack. I feel it was handled well and it wouldn't sway me from purchasing from the company in the future.

 

[ThomasNORWAY]

I can recommend the ac hydraulic Jacks! Produced in Denmark, very high quality. Low profile at only 80mm.


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[sweet victory]

I've seen those long reach hydraulic jacks on Pelican Parts. Very very nice, but not cheap! Love the long reach ones

 

[L5wolvesf]

What kind of car? I picked up a US General AL Jack years ago at a garage sale for my Fiat. It's been reliable and a good deal for $30 ish.

 

[bwringer]

If you don't feel like shelling out the long green, the low-profile "Daytona" jacks at Harbor Freight are very well made and outstanding bang for the buck.

 

[sweet victory]

If you don't feel like shelling out the long green, the low-profile "Daytona" jacks at Harbor Freight are very well made and outstanding bang for the buck.

What's the reach? For 911's, lifting the car with jacks is quiet tricky due to limited lifting points. (You can't lift using the engine) The safest way is to lift the rear is to use the cross member infront of the engine, but to do that requires something very low and long.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1_pg2.htm


Considering the price, I decided a maxjax was the way to go.

 

[Blacktavert]

harbor freight aluminum jack 1.5 ton is great, I have two for my corvette which is about 4' of clearance

 

[iron block]

What kind of car?

It's my wife's Gen 3 Prius. So kind of hard to justify the Compac or AC Hydraulics jacks, gorgeous though they be. I'll hold off on those until a 911 follows me home some day.

Looks like a trip to HF is in order, with a tape measure to verify clearance. If the 1.5 ton aluminum jack clears Blacktavert's 4" clearance on the Vette, that should be perfect.

Thanks all for the helpful info.

 

[driz]

I need some collective wisdom from the GJ experts about finding a floor jack for a vehicle with only 6" of clearance underneath.



I'd like to roll a jack in from the front so I can reach the central jacking point, which is about 3' from the front of the air dam. My vintage Hein-Werner floor jack isn't even close to fitting under the car.



What would you recommend for a low-height floor jack these days? I did search the GJ archives, but did not find what I was looking for.



Thanks for any light you can shed.

Without a doubt one that will go high as possible. I used the little guys for 30+ years and believe me 19” just isn’t quite enough. That’s what most are so get the longer ones that go 24. HF has them and they work fine , I have 2. Believe me that extra 4.5” can mean all the difference if you are doing an exhaust or dropping a transmission. They cost more but you’ll appreciate it over and over. For just doing tires anything is ok but you know it’ll always be more than that happening.....


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[Wamsutta]

What you want is a Yellow Harbor Freight Daytona

 

[Mr_B]

 

[Qualitytools]

AC Hydraulic hands down, they do make a long reach one that I wished I had purchased but my DQ20 is also great to have

 

[thugline]

Sunex Lowrider: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1ZCN0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

2.75” min height.

 

[ThomasNORWAY]

AC Hydraulic hands down, they do make a long reach one that I wished I had purchased but my DQ20 is also great to have

I second that!


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[Qualitytools]

Here is a link to the AC Hydraulic, sorry I should have included it in my earlier post:
http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/us/products/hydraulic-jacks/

 

[Qualitytools]

Nice collection of tools ThomasNORWAY!

 

[48548]

My jack... i wish i had gotten the longer reach version.... using it on my Denali hd, which is not light.

looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle

 

[ChevyEFI]

I think on the Prius, you will have more than enough clearance from pad to crossmember. The pivot area may be tight under the front bumper cover, and the air deflector. Measure a little bit before you check a Daytona at HF. Going in at an angle may help.

 

[48548]

Here might be my next jack, made in Spain.... might be mega es

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/2+ton+floor+jack.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search


Hmmmm. Looks the same.

http://www.mega.es/catalogo_automoc...ategoria=3&nIdSubcategoria=33&nIdArticulo=196

This is really nice.


http://www.mega.es/catalogo_automoc...ategoria=3&nIdSubcategoria=34&nIdArticulo=198


looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle

 

[ModularMadman]

This one sees the most use on my Shelby.

Harbor Freight 3 ton Low Profile Steel
https://m.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-steel-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61253.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

I have the aluminum one as well, but when I only need one this one pumps better for some reason. On my old Cobra reach was an issue with both, I would lift in two stages putting jack stands at the first lifting points so I could fit the jack in deeper. I'm just too cheap I guess to buy a fancy jack.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I've had some pretty low vehicles and have found benefit in making four sets of 2x10's for this purpose. Essentially just two screwed together in a short ramp fashion. Pull the vehicle up on them and you have plenty of clearance to get a Daytona Jack to the center point and in many cases I just use the boards for oil changes, ect.

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[mfewtrail]

Another option is to get a pinch-point adapter for your current jack and jack up one side at a time, then place your jack stands under the subframe.

 

[VinceG]

Costco has these for $89 pretty much same as the Harbor Freight one

 

[dogdog]

This one sees the most use on my Shelby.

Harbor Freight 3 ton Low Profile Steel
https://m.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-steel-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61253.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

I have the aluminum one as well, but when I only need one this one pumps better for some reason. On my old Cobra reach was an issue with both, I would lift in two stages putting jack stands at the first lifting points so I could fit the jack in deeper. I'm just too cheap I guess to buy a fancy jack.

they used to have the 2 ton long reach low profile jack.... that is about 1 inch lower than the 3 ton low profile jacks... I guess they discontinued that and introduce this 3 ton Daytona long reach low profile jack.. for a bit more, great jack, just heavy.... I have both the older 3 ton low profile and 2 ton long reach, they worked well for me.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-64241.html

 

[arrowhead]

they used to have the 2 ton long reach low profile jack.... that is about 1 inch lower than the 3 ton low profile jacks... I guess they discontinued that

Too bad, that's the one I have and it's awesome. Used it quite a bit and lifted some heavy loads too and no problems. The extra long and low is the only way I can pick up my hot rod and the extended lift let me place the taller 6 ton jack stands under it in one lift. Used to have to lift in stages with the smaller jack.

 

[dogdog]

Too bad, that's the one I have and it's awesome. Used it quite a bit and lifted some heavy loads too and no problems. The extra long and low is the only way I can pick up my hot rod and the extended lift let me place the taller 6 ton jack stands under it in one lift. Used to have to lift in stages with the smaller jack.

LOL they replaced it with a 3 ton long reach low profile jack with a brighter paint and called it Daytona... so they can charge you $60 more otherwise everything else still looks the same.

I mean if OP don't like HF, he can always search for "long reach low profile jack" and find the one that he likes....

 

[jgromada]

I will cast another vote for Harbor Freight here. I have had mine for over 10 years and it is still going strong. I haven't babied it either. For a few projects it has remained outside in weather for a week or two because i had no choice.

I found an all steel model that had the lowest profile and then highest lift capacity. I believe mine is 3 ton.

Also had a Sears and a Torin and those are both dead and gone.

 

[bochnak]

Costco has these for $89 pretty much same as the Harbor Freight one

I just bought this one and it is 2 7/8", perfect for low vehicles. Not long reach though.