Harbor Freight Transmission Jack

[brooksdr]

I have never bought anything at Harbor Freight. I have noticed one item I am interested in. Is the 800 lb ****** jack any good. Item #60234 or Item #69685. They both are the same price. I think one lifts 2 inches higher. Opinions?

http://www.harborfreight.com/800-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-69685.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/800-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-60234.html

 

[calduke]

Did you ever get one? If so, what are your thoughts on it? I am considering getting one from harbor freight or possibly ebay. I won't use it all that frequently...

 

[Zexx]

I got one back when they were red, worked fine for the few times ive used it, also fits under the 72" tool box they sell.

 

[junkman12]

I've had one for a couple years and it's done what I needed it to do. A little lower profile would be nice so you do have to have the car up so high to clear the frame rails with a trans on it as you slide it under. It seems like it's been just on the edge of what my floor jack would do so I have to put some blocks or something to get the car up high enough. It's not something I use all the time, but when I have I'm glad to have it.

 

[jgromada]

I bought a smaller HF trans jack (450 lbs) and it has worked fine for me. https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lbs-Low-Lift-Transmission-Jack-61232.html I don't think i will have to deal with a trans from something the size of a truck like you are looking at. I also bought the HF beam support for the engine while the trans was out. Both worked real well and were very cost effective for what I needed.

 

[brownbagg]

i needed one but one for a carlift so I was looking at the ranger by bend pak

 

[dimichele]

I have one, don't use it often but it works just fine.

 

[tarbellb]

Meh, very typical HF quality. Lifts, lowers, but the mounting system is ****, chain lock is completely ineffective.

That being said, not many good choices, few better choices, and no cheaper ones. Oh and made the job much easier.

 

[WWheeler]

I bought a smaller HF trans jack (450 lbs) and it has worked fine for me. https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lbs-Low-Lift-Transmission-Jack-61232.html I don't think i will have to deal with a trans from something the size of a truck like you are looking at. [...] worked real well and were very cost effective for what I needed.

I grabbed that same little jack earlier this year and have used it several times now. Was pleasantly surprised it works as well as it does. Perfect for my uses. Well worth the ~$80 I spent on it.

The jack screw had a thick layer of cosmoline (or similar) on it that repelled initial attempts to grease it until I got that all cleaned off. I prefer to raise and lower it with a small impact with a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter (being careful not to go full stop either way).

 

[calduke]

Thanks for the input. I finally got a four post lift and now need to do a clutch in one car (07 Infiniti) and replace a drive speedo gear in a T5 in another car due to swapping rear gears (easier to pull the transmission than just the tailshaft in the car).

I've done trannies a couple times with just jack stands and my regular floor jack, but thought I'd make life a bit easier now that I have a four post Thanks for the help.

 

[Cobradriver]

I bought the red version a couple of years ago. I have used it to swap a couple of manual transmissions while the vehicle is on jack stands.

Like tarbellb said....the mounting system is about worthless for anything that isn't flat on the bottom. I just took a couple of pieces of scrap metal strap I had laying around and made short brackets to go from the transmission to the flat plate on the jack. Once the transmission is bolted up solid, the jack actually works really well.

I'm not 21 any more so no more bench pressing transmissions into place....

 

[seang81]

I'd say the low profile 450lb jack is much simpler to work with. I like using a ratchet or impact to raise/lower as opposed to the handle on the other model.

Its probably not the best for big transmissions, but for cars and light trucks it makes things pretty easy. Its plenty sturdy for my v6 Tacoma w/ Tcase.

For storage, its light enough to hang from a hook on the wall.

 

[ScottsGT]

I bought the scissors type. When it was in the down position loaded with a T-5 trans, my son cranked on the ratchet to lift it up. He turned it the wrong way, big C clip came off, bearings scattered all over the floor and made a mess of things. Replaced the clip, still works, but not as smooth. Should have been spot welded in place.

 

[DakotaMan]

What's the advantage of a transmission jack over a standard floor jack?

 

[ScottsGT]

Just to name a few off the top of my head....
Wider pad to hold the transmission
Wider foot print to increase stability
Straps to hold transmission in place
Adjustments to level/angle transmission to go into place. Especially helpful with a manual.

 

[lookin4fun79]

I bought a smaller HF trans jack (450 lbs) and it has worked fine for me. w w w. harborfreight .com/450-lbs-Low-Lift-Transmission-Jack-61232. I don't think i will have to deal with a trans from something the size of a truck like you are looking at. I also bought the HF beam support for the engine while the trans was out. Both worked real well and were very cost effective for what I needed.

I've used this same one for 10 years( 4 times that is) pulling out the trans in my 1 ton plow truck. Really works well and as stated I don't even have to jack the truck up to pull trans with this jack.

 

[FordTruckWench]

Just to name a few off the top of my head....

Swivel casters all around so you can move the jack sideways.
Shorter jack handle so it can be used under a vehicle.

 

[metaleltr]

Last transmission I did I decided it was time to buy a trans jack. Shopping around jegs, summit racing and harbor freight all appeared very similar with a different paint color. Jegs was the cheapest at the time and shipped right to my door. It's bright yellow but works fine. Just used ratchet strap to hold the trans on. Never installed the 4 little arms.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'd say the low profile 450lb jack is much simpler to work with. I like using a ratchet or impact to raise/lower as opposed to the handle on the other model.

Its probably not the best for big transmissions, but for cars and light trucks it makes things pretty easy. Its plenty sturdy for my v6 Tacoma w/ Tcase.

For storage, its light enough to hang from a hook on the wall.

I agree, and I use 2 at once for big 4wd stuff.

You do have to put them down carefully, or the wheels eject their bearings.