Help me decide on a floor Jack

[Jeremy5431]

Hi All,

I decided that I don't want to pay the dealer to change my oil or rotate my tires anymore ( They forgot about me for 2 hours one night).

I am looking for a floor jack to lift my F150 and wanted to get some advice.

The two I am looking at are:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200345429_200345429

and

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-Steel-Heavy-Duty-Floor-Jack-with-Rapid-Pump-68048.html

Will the Harbor Freight jack be able to pick up my F150 or would it be better to go with the extra 1/2 ton from Northern Tool?

 

[KingCobra98]

I would go with the arcan. I do not have one, but was looking at one before I bought my hein werner 3 ton jack. the arcan has a lower profile than Harbor and I feel the build quality is better on the arcan.

 

[Garage Junky]

I tried the 3 ton HF model 3 times. Bought, bled, wouldn't lift diddly, returned, repeat x3. I finally gave up and bought an old Weaver jack that's older than my dad, replaced a couple of missing parts and have had zero problems since. YMMV, but after my experience I wouldn't trust a HF jack to lift and hold a vehicle over me.

 

[vag_tech]

I've owned this jack for 5 years. I work on cars full time. I've not had any problems with it and it really saves a lot of time dealing with lowered cars. It is made in china and there are some negative reviews out there of guys claiming early hydraulic failures but mine has been used 5-6 days a week for 5 years and is still going strong with no issues. If you do some digging you can find it cheaper than the link I posted. My cornwell dealer ordered mine and matched the amazon price and I didn't have to pay shipping.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFUETA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BFHtime]

Send a PM to hiball.

 

[bgblue1978]

I have the low profile version of the hf and I havent had any problems lifting my f150, and it gets low enough to get under the corolla. Got it on a sale, its been a couple years but I think I paid around $75

 

[Hiball]

In these cases I always recomend buying from whomever you will have the best replacement/warranty based of your location. IMO some quality jack stands trump any discussions concerning a $90 dollar jack and a $130 jack, just pick one.

I figured I would respond in the thread versus via PM.

 

[mauro]

I would go with the arcan. I do not have one, but was looking at one before I bought my hein werner 3 ton jack. the arcan has a lower profile than Harbor and I feel the build quality is better on the arcan.

In the photos for that arcan, the guy is lifting a truck by the rear diff.... Is that safe?

 

[xbeatles4x]

OP. I do not have very much to add to the thread as I am nowhere near a pro. I am an amateur DIY guy in my garage. With that said, I purchased that HF jack that you linked. It was heave as hell. So heavy in fact that it was destroying and leaving huge gouges in my garage floor from the wheels. I returned it the next day and purchased the aluminum low profile one from harbor freight that is rated to 2.5 tons or something (I don't recall, but it is not the small one) I have been extremely pleased with my purchase and have had no complaints. Because of my purchase 2 of my friends have since purchased the exact same jack and have been very happy.

 

[RECox286]

I could care less about the mfg whom supplies the equipment,

as long as it does the job as advertised. What I look for is

that it be easy enough to use, heavy duty enough and the

frame long enough to do the job that I want it to do.

Most affordable jacks these days will be COO=Someplaceoverseas

to begin with, so take your blindfold with you when you go shopping.

Uncle Bob

 

[outdoorspace]

The arcan for sure an extra 1,000lbs and 3.5 inches higher lift.

 

[crucible]

In the photos for that arcan, the guy is lifting a truck by the rear diff.... Is that safe?

It's the recommended method for my Sierra FWIW, and I do it when I need to put the rear up on stands.

That said, I go sloooowly.

C-

 

[kythri]

At risk of hijacking, is there some reason you wouldn't lift by the diff? I thought that it was a common way of doing things, regardless of vehicle type?

 

[DEEDDUDE]

Arcan. I've had the same one for close to ten years, never a problem. I researched jacks before I bought mine and the Arcan was highly recommended at the time.

 

[1950mercury]

I tried the 3 ton HF model 3 times. Bought, bled, wouldn't lift diddly, returned, repeat x3. I finally gave up and bought an old Weaver jack that's older than my dad, replaced a couple of missing parts and have had zero problems since. YMMV, but after my experience I wouldn't trust a HF jack to lift and hold a vehicle over me.

I wouldn't trusy ANY jack to lift and hold a vehicle over me...thats what jack stands are for...i know plenty people with hf jacks that work fine.

 

[u118224]

I've been very satisfied with my Ranger floor jack. It's a little more expensive than what you're looking at. They are made in China but it's a much nicer jack than my old HF. Asedeals.com is a good place to look at them.

 

[Garage Junky]

I wouldn't trusy ANY jack to lift and hold a vehicle over me...thats what jack stands are for...i know plenty people with hf jacks that work fine.

Point taken. I always use jack stands. I should have phrased it better. Regardless of my poor phrasing, not something you really want to risk failure with.

 

[_Stang_]

I use the HF 2 ton steel low profile / high lift and HF 6 ton jack stands. 24" lift and 6 ton stands for the height needed on the Raptor. Best jack I've owned. Love the rapid pump and quick release knob. 2 ton is fine on the jack. You're only lifting a corner at a time on the front or the rear from the center which is light.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't rotate tires. I'd rather have two tires wear out than all four.

 

[DekeT]

I don't rotate tires. I'd rather have two tires wear out than all four.

This is the definition of "penny wise and pound foolish".

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have a newer Craftsman (made by Florida Pneumatic for Sears) that's an import and a '84 Walker 1.5 ton that I saved from the dumpster.

The '84 is out of commission for a U-joint issue, but would be my go to jack. It's light years ahead of the Craftsman, however, the Craftsman does the job nicely.

I can fit the Walker under my Chevy Sonic, but I have to drive it on wooden planks before I can use the Craftsman.

Back in December, my sister bought a Craftsman 3 ton jack and floor stands/creeper that Sears had on sale for $90 with free shipping. That is actually also a "875" model prefix jack like mine, except that it's made by Torin for Sears, not FP. I think Torin may have bought out the jack division of FP?

It works for what I need up there, however again, I have to drive on wood first and then jack up.

 

[Jeremy5431]

I went to the MN State Fair yesterday and got another $20 off the Northern Tool Jack. I tested it on my F150 and it works great.. My only question is if I placed the jack in right spot.

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[Virgil Cain]

I tried the 3 ton HF model 3 times. Bought, bled, wouldn't lift diddly, returned, repeat x3. I finally gave up and bought an old Weaver jack that's older than my dad, replaced a couple of missing parts and have had zero problems since. YMMV, but after my experience I wouldn't trust a HF jack to lift and hold a vehicle over me.

I don't trust *any* jack to hold up a vehicle. The jack is only to get it up in the air so I can get jack stands under it.

 

[wyo george]

I don't trust *any* jack to hold up a vehicle. The jack is only to get it up in the air so I can get jack stands under it.

I agree times a million!!


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[Adam.C]

Anybody here ever talk about the rubber jack pads? I like the ones with the slots that fit cars' pinch welds. I think these are important accessories.

 

[cnk]

Anybody here ever talk about the rubber jack pads? I like the ones with the slots that fit cars' pinch welds. I think these are important accessories.

Hockey puck with a slit cut down the middle will work.

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[Jeremy5431]

I don't trust *any* jack to hold up a vehicle. The jack is only to get it up in the air so I can get jack stands under it.

I bought 4 HF jack stands. So I'll be using those when I rotate my tires. I would never get under anything supported by a jack alone..


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[Adam.C]

Hockey puck with a slit cut down the middle will work.

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The one I have is much softer than that. And it fits perfectly between rocker panel and the pinch weld. I have jacked many cars on the pinch alone and the jack bends the pinch, removes it's finish etc.

 

[cnk]

The one I have is much softer than that. And it fits perfectly between rocker panel and the pinch weld. I have jacked many cars on the pinch alone and the jack bends the pinch, removes it's finish etc.

I don't use anything except the rubber pad on the jack. Have never had a problem with bending or damaging the pinch welds. I have a yellow polyurethane adapter for the pinch welds, but don't use it on my lowered car as there's not enough room.

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[Coach James]

The one I have is much softer than that. And it fits perfectly between rocker panel and the pinch weld. I have jacked many cars on the pinch alone and the jack bends the pinch, removes it's finish etc.

What do you use?

Coach

 

[skruft]

I would personally not buy any HF stuff except gloves, but I have seen two HF aluminum jacks used by a man in a mobile wheel repair business, where they are not banged around but are used several times a day to pick up (and hold up) ends or sides of cars. He bought them so he would not have to hoist heavy jacks in and out of the truck. He said he has had no problems. So at least the two he has have worked out well.

Personally again, I would not spend for a new one. I have two very old floor jacks that I bought used, a 2-ton and a 4-ton. They work fine.