Floor Jack Recommendations?

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

So i have a little Husky 3 ton floor jack...nice jack, gets the job done but i do get tired of pumpin n pumpin and trying to fit that small head onto the suspension...and it always seems the handle is never in a position to where i can get a full pump, its always only about 3/4 or half.

SO im hoping to find some sort of decent and reliable (probably low profile?) floor jack. I don't have a mechanics shop but I do detailing and may have some under carriage cleaning jobs or rim restorations in the near future to do. I dont need TOP of the line, but i dont want some cheap POS either. I was looking @ the ones at Harbor Freight last night...didn't look too bad...but what do i know

Also im no pro at what to look for in a floor jack so any advice would be great and links would be even better

thanks all

 

[HCRCnow]

Take a look. low profile, long reach
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/29023.cfm

 

[CRTDI]

So i have a little Husky 3 ton floor jack...nice jack, gets the job done but i do get tired of pumpin n pumpin and trying to fit that small head onto the suspension...and it always seems the handle is never in a position to where i can get a full pump, its always only about 3/4 or half.

SO im hoping to find some sort of decent and reliable (probably low profile?) floor jack. I don't have a mechanics shop but I do detailing and may have some under carriage cleaning jobs or rim restorations in the near future to do. I dont need TOP of the line, but i dont want some cheap POS either. I was looking @ the ones at Harbor Freight last night...didn't look too bad...but what do i know

Also im no pro at what to look for in a floor jack so any advice would be great and links would be even better

thanks all

You appear to have a professional detail business. If not for your personal safety, shouldn't you at least have a quality "professional" floor jack (and jack stands) for your business?

Here is a popular and proven low profile unit:

http://www.acjacks.com/acjacks_003.htm

 

[mgold]

Costco Arcan Jack

If you do a search on this forum you will find most people love this 3.5 Ton Arcan Jack from Costco. It's $100 and with Costco's return policy it makes it a great deal!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36136&highlight=arcan

 

[Mmfh]

Re: Costco Arcan Jack

If you do a search on this forum you will find most people love this 3.5 Ton Arcan Jack from Costco. It's $100 and with Costco's return policy it makes it a great deal!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36136&highlight=arcan

I'll second that!!

I use it everyday, goes lower than most, goes just as high if not higher.

Can't go wrong.

Mm

 

[smokey0066]

I was in your same shoes earlier in the year. I'm not a professional but I like to wrench. Finally decided it was time to pick up a decent Jack. After reading a bunch of reviews I too settled on the Costco Jack and have been happy with it thus far. 1 suspension job and 2 brake jobs so far only but I haven't had a single issue.

 

[cal71919]

You should see a floor jack as an investment. I would look for something with a wide wheelbase, and a large saddle. Most of the time, you can pick up a jack/jack stands combo on sale somewhere. Just remember, you'll be working under and around a car so don't concern yourself too much on saving a few bucks.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Take a look. low profile, long reach
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/29023.cfm

Looks nice...pricey...but i won't discard it just because of that. Maybe you can explain why its so much more than ones that are similar. Im sure theres a reason/reasons, im not doubting that,i just want to understand why/how its a higher quality

You appear to have a professional detail business. If not for your personal safety, shouldn't you at least have a quality "professional" floor jack (and jack stands) for your business?

Here is a popular and proven low profile unit:

http://www.acjacks.com/acjacks_003.htm

Those also look good...again could you maybe elaborate on why they are so much better than say the Costco one listed below? If this was something i'd be using day in/day out i'd have no argument...but most of my work is done on PAINT...very rarely do i ever have anyone want a wheel restoration or under carriage done, but with higher end cars coming my way now i want to be prepared to be able to handle the work IF it comes up, but this is not something i'd be doing often...most of my $ goes into buffers and product lol.

Do you have any advice on how to properly remove ALL wheels, would i have to jack the car up 4x's and place a jack stand, lower the car onto the 1 stand, then move to the other side and do the same thing again, or is there a more sensible way to go about this...just want to make sure i do no damage to myself or to the car...so hope you dont mind my asking

If you do a search on this forum you will find most people love this 3.5 Ton Arcan Jack from Costco. It's $100 and with Costco's return policy it makes it a great deal!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36136&highlight=arcan

I'll second that!!

I use it everyday, goes lower than most, goes just as high if not higher.

Can't go wrong.

Mm

I was in your same shoes earlier in the year. I'm not a professional but I like to wrench. Finally decided it was time to pick up a decent Jack. After reading a bunch of reviews I too settled on the Costco Jack and have been happy with it thus far. 1 suspension job and 2 brake jobs so far only but I haven't had a single issue.

The price is right but again, just want to make sure im getting the most bang for my buck and have something stable and will last me forever (or close )

You should see a floor jack as an investment. I would look for something with a wide wheelbase, and a large saddle. Most of the time, you can pick up a jack/jack stands combo on sale somewhere. Just remember, you'll be working under and around a car so don't concern yourself too much on saving a few bucks.

Ah glad you mentioned those...when you say a wider wheel base do you mean the wheel base ON the jack itself (so that it rolls easier and gets caught less often?) and as for the 'saddle' that is the part that actually comes in contact and with the frame, correct? (just making sure i understand the names/lingo of jacks)

Thanks all for your feedback...learnin new stuff on here all the time

 

[mgold]

Costco

Since Costco has such a great return policy, they need to make sure they sell quality products. People can't be returning those jacks too often or they wouldn't be making money.

Most likely I will get the Arcan 3.5 Ton (and a Costco membership!). You can't beat the value, not even at HF!

 

[fsae0607]

I have the orange-colored Harbor Fright 3-tonner that I think now is discontinued, but from what I hear about the new "Rapidpump" series from HF they're pretty good.

I've been pretty happy with my HF jack.

 

[rodm1]

Do you have any advice on how to properly remove ALL wheels, would i have to jack the car up 4x's and place a jack stand, lower the car onto the 1 stand, then move to the other side and do the same thing again, or is there a more sensible way to go about this...just want to make sure i do no damage to myself or to the car...so hope you dont mind my asking

I've seen tire shops use 3 jacks 2 under axle and 1 in front. It seemed to be stable but things definitely can go wrong.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

I've seen tire shops use 3 jacks 2 under axle and 1 in front. It seemed to be stable but things definitely can go wrong.

Yeah id rather use 4, i just want to know the order of how to jack it up and place them

 

[Beercan321]

The OP didn't mention a price range which would be helpful.

I'm an extremely froogle person. I always shop around to find items for the cheapest price possible. Even though I'm cheap, the one exception is anything that involves my personal safety. I'd refuse to crawl under my 3/4 ton truck that is being held up by a cheap Chinese jack and jack stands.

I use a Hein Werner 3 ton jack ($370.00 at Tool Discounter) and Hein Werner jack stands. I'm not a professional mechanic but I'm not going to skimp on my safety. There are plenty of posters here that love the Harbor Freight jacks but I would never use one. My friends always criticize me for being cheap but I'll spend the money on good shop equipment. If you are going to spend any time under a vehicle that could crush you then I'd recommend spending the extra money and buy proven products that will last for years and keep you safe. Just my $0.02.

 

[Plombob]

I'm happy with this set. Jack is well built, 2 pistons. The stands are quality too. I'm seeing a lot of these at the track.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QMV70M/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details

 

[HCRCnow]

Looks nice...pricey...but i won't discard it just because of that. Maybe you can explain why its so much more than ones that are similar. Im sure theres a reason/reasons, im not doubting that,i just want to understand why/how its a higher quality



Omega is manufactured by Shinn Fu. This is the same company that owns, Hein Werner. Omega makes two very nice units, low profile, 2.5". High lift unit, 32". All parts are repairable, seal kits easy to get. The company has very good tech support. In my experience repairing jacks, I have found Omega to be easy to repair and they hold the repair. All jacks do not hold repairs the same.

 

[DZL JIM]

I love my Milwaukee Hydraulics jack. Made in the USA, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I firmly believe it's the floor jack my grandchildren will be using (and I'm still young).

Then again, I think most of you guys would rather just buy a chinese 2 post for near the same cost...

 

[HCRCnow]

I love my Milwaukee Hydraulics jack. Made in the USA, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I firmly believe it's the floor jack my grandchildren will be using (and I'm still young).

Then again, I think most of you guys would rather just buy a chinese 2 post for near the same cost...

The Milwaukee is a great tool.
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/20.cfm

 

[1320stang]

 

[merim123]

I was in the same boat as you looking at different options. I just made a decision three weeks ago and bought the AC Jack. I have zero zero regrets. I have always used the cheapest jack I could get and have two that I got at costco that I will be soon returning. One is aluminum and the other is steel. The aluminum one the seals failed on and will not work anymore, and the steel one, although it works, it's extremely difficult to maneuver.

You say you spend your money on buffers/materials/pads, but if you're not taking care of your knees, back, you won't be doing it for long. Invest where you have to to protect yourself and your ability to earn a living. The thing I love about the AC Jack is how high I can get a car up compared to the standard 21" of the chinese variety (Which I used for 20+ years of wrenching I've been doing since highschool) The aluminum is exaggerated in the pic since the seal is busted and I had to pull it up a little so it will stay up. Also, the AC jack is effortless in the pump action.

Lastly, with the AC jack, I can jack the back half of the car at once (so I can put two jackstands on immediately) and then I do the same on the front. So I jack up the car twice, and I have 4 jackstands under it. Here's a side by side for comparison. I've never seen this before so I took the picture so that others can see what you really get. The costco aluminum jack is similar to that arcan jack.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I have (3) low profile jacks like the OP's and they work fine for my truck, SUV, etc. whenever I wrench on them, which is very rare.

I have a Corvette that I wrench on the most and because of the low clearanace and recommended jack points, these standard hydraulic jacks typically don't fit under the car at the jack points, need a brace, long handle throw hits the bumper, etc.

Now you all can laugh, and this works for me on my vette, but the jack that gets the most use in my garage are the 12VDC scissor jacks.

http://www.google.com/search?source....,cf.osb&fp=ac39f3650977fb7d&biw=1920&bih=961

These scissor jacks are lightweight, low profile, and fit under the rocker panels at the jack points. I bought two jacks and place them on opposite sides and lift at the same time. If I'm working under the car, I place a few jackstands.

I just had to pull the rear wheels off a few days ago. Didn't have to move the car to get a hydraulic under it, etc. Pulled out the electric scissor jacks, slid it under the rocker panel at the frame lift points and had it raised in a minute or two.

Convenient, functional, inexpensive.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

I was in the same boat as you looking at different options. I just made a decision three weeks ago and bought the AC Jack. I have zero zero regrets. I have always used the cheapest jack I could get and have two that I got at costco that I will be soon returning. One is aluminum and the other is steel. The aluminum one the seals failed on and will not work anymore, and the steel one, although it works, it's extremely difficult to maneuver.

You say you spend your money on buffers/materials/pads, but if you're not taking care of your knees, back, you won't be doing it for long. Invest where you have to to protect yourself and your ability to earn a living. The thing I love about the AC Jack is how high I can get a car up compared to the standard 21" of the chinese variety (Which I used for 20+ years of wrenching I've been doing since highschool) The aluminum is exaggerated in the pic since the seal is busted and I had to pull it up a little so it will stay up. Also, the AC jack is effortless in the pump action.

Lastly, with the AC jack, I can jack the back half of the car at once (so I can put two jackstands on immediately) and then I do the same on the front. So I jack up the car twice, and I have 4 jackstands under it. Here's a side by side for comparison. I've never seen this before so I took the picture so that others can see what you really get. The costco aluminum jack is similar to that arcan jack.

Hey man i really appreciate the pictures...they really tell a clearer story as to the height difference compared to the others. Plus you say you can jack up the whole front and whole back at once which i find to be a very nice option...especially if i'm going to be pulling off all four tires.

I never meant to leave the impression that i was trying to skimp on safety, i just wanted to make it clear that i'm not a wrench turner and this is something that would be getting use only part time...not day in day out...but that i DID want something that was going to get the job done and work well (be safe)...so my apologies if i left that impression at all.

What model AC jack did you get? Also, where on the vehicle do you place the saddle (right lol?) at to jack up the whole back or front end at once? Laslty, do you think a 2 ton jack would be enough capacity for larger trucks or SUVS if i'm only jacking up once end at a time?

Thanks for the input and the pictures.

 

[merim123]

I have this one http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1_pg1.htm

the reason i can jack up the front or back is because of the reach. i can get this under the rear end and jack in the middle and when high enough drop in the jack stands

on the front, i jack under the kmember and get it high enough and then put in the jack stands.

as for capacity, this thing has it, it's two tons lifting, so unless that truck /suv weight more than 8,000 pounds, you shouldn't have any issues picking up the front or back with this jack.

 

[BTC]

I have this one http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1_pg1.htm

the reason i can jack up the front or back is because of the reach. i can get this under the rear end and jack in the middle and when high enough drop in the jack stands

on the front, i jack under the kmember and get it high enough and then put in the jack stands.

as for capacity, this thing has it, it's two tons lifting, so unless that truck /suv weight more than 8,000 pounds, you shouldn't have any issues picking up the front or back with this jack.

That link says the capacity is 2800 lbs, but the manufacturer's site says 2900lbs.

 

[bmfenn]

I've owned the costco arcan jack for about 10 years now, bought it back when they were painted blue.

 

[merim123]

the only thing i wouldn't try raising with this jack is a tow truck. but anything I could get regular license plates for, i would have no issue lifting with this jack.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

the only thing i wouldn't try raising with this jack is a tow truck. but anything I could get regular license plates for, i would have no issue lifting with this jack.

lol well the biggest thing im looking at lifting is a 1500 chevy express van at the moment...which is a pretty big vehicle..