I have been getting by with a bottle jack on my Dakota, and would like a floor jack...but the problem is I have a not so good back. The shops I've worked in have had floor jacks up to 10 ton and I love that sturdy feeling they give when lifting equipment, but for occasional use at home I can't see going with even a 3 ton cause the area I park my truck at is separate from where my tools are kept, which means I would have to carry the jack...and after going through one back surgery I don't plan on doing any heavy lifting at home if I don't have to. So from what I have read on here, either I have to go with an aluminium jack or down size to a 2 ton floor jack. I am thinking a 2 ton would be plenty for my use, but the only thing that comes to mind is the small base they have. Are these 2 ton jacks stable enough when lifting? I am more of a buy once cry once kind of person on quality, but from what I see even the nice 2 ton jacks are almost 100 pounds. Are the aluminium jacks trustworthy? What back friendly options do you guys use?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
help point me in the right direction on floor jacks
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
The HF aluminum ones are nice, back in the day when I got one not many similar products were out there for comparable price. But now everywhere has aluminum racing jacks. Their 2 ton is 38lbs and 2.5 ton is 53lbs so not exactly light, but much better than the steel versions 75-100lbs. I've never had any concerns when using my aluminum one. Keep an eye out perhaps HD might have a promo on the Husky aluminum ones for Fathers day.
BD1
Well-known member
Check to see if Costco still sells the Arcan floor jacks. Great jacks for less than $100.00. I bought two years ago when they were $90.00 each.
I know there is many posts on this.
I know there is many posts on this.
Aluminum floor jacks are plenty trust worthy - the harbor freight alum racing ones get solid reviews. You shouldn't be relying on any jack to hold up a car for any extended period of time. Just long enough to throw an adequate amount of jack stands under the vehicle
I've read many MANY posts here on floor jacks. Coming from heavy equipment shops, my head tells me to get the biggest cast iron jack...but my back say NOOOOOO. So I am not quite sure what happy middle ground there is between light easy portability and strength/sturdiness. I can lift 100 pounds easily, but I sure don't want to if I don't have to.
I went through 2 torin aluminum 3 ton jacks in a year with only DIY use...used maybe 2-3 times a month to lift one end of my 3200lb car. Both times the jack deteriorated to the point where pumping the handle resulted in no lift. The first was warrantied into the second...the second was thrown in the dumpster.
I replaced it with an Arcan XL35 from Northern tool. It's not light and wasn't particulartly cheap but has yet to skip a beat (roughly the same use). On top of that i know at least 3 others who own the same jack and have had no issues. Unless I have to transport it I never lift the jack, I'll drag it around the garage...it has wheels for a reason!
I replaced it with an Arcan XL35 from Northern tool. It's not light and wasn't particulartly cheap but has yet to skip a beat (roughly the same use). On top of that i know at least 3 others who own the same jack and have had no issues. Unless I have to transport it I never lift the jack, I'll drag it around the garage...it has wheels for a reason!
1949 caddyman
Well-known member
Check craigs list for jacks, I got a nice snap on 3 ton for $225.
Trey T
Well-known member
Gray color HD low profile jacks are really good
GasNSteering
Well-known member
A 2 ton trolley jack would be light and cheap. Some even have a carry handle in the center