high lift (26") jack recommendations?

[amolaver]

i've got a moderately heavy race car (~2200lb) that i need to get onto setup boxes (scales and roll off area). while eventually i will use a 2 post lift to accomplish this, right now i'd like to be able to use a jack. i built the boxes to the height i wanted (16")..but didn't think to check if my jack could get the car onto them... yes, yes, i'm an idiot

while theoretically i could jack the car up, put it on stands, lower the jack and add some blocking, jack it up farther, etc, i'd prefer not to; i've had issues with the blocking moving as the car reaches steeper and steeper angles.

i'm aware this is a suboptimal scenario and would prefer not to have the car up on a jack that high, but it is what it is, and until my building is up and lift installed, this will work...if i can find a jack with enough reach.

ahm

 

[Tavy]

How about a bottle jack or two once you get it started with a regular floor jack?

[edit] I thought most of the 'racing' fast-catch jacks like Torin makes are relatively high lift. Don't know the exact specification off hand but I'm sure their site'd help.

 

[Judd55]

This one goes 31" http://flemaproducts.com/product_info.php/cPath/0_21_22/products_id/38 only Dealer I know of is in Canada and runs about $700

 

[amolaver]

looks like AC also makes a lower capacity version (DK13HLQ vs DK20HLQ - http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/en/products/hydraulic-jacks/) too bad it appears no one still carries them in the US i remember seeing one a couple of years ago..guess i should have got it while i could.

anyone know of someone who still carries them in the US?

damn you guys are good

ahm

 

[amolaver]

thanks for the torin suggestion - i checked all their jacks and none seem to go over 21-22" (even their bigger 5-10ton units).

ahm

 

[Hiball]

You are gonna be Hard Pressed to find a "Floor Jack" that will elevate to 26". I think your best bet is gonna be to Modify the Lift Pad on a Current Jack to give you the Added Clearance. I have no idea what your kind of Clearance issues your dealing with your Race Car, But im sure you can fab something up.

 

[amolaver]

i was thinking the same thing. while i would still have to drop it onto stands and swap lift pads (something like a truck adapter for a lift), that may be the compromise.

i am surprised i can't seem to find anyone who carries AC Hydraulics. I contacted them last night and they sent me two sites (pelicanparts.com and flemaproducts.com). pelican doesn't seem to list any AC items, and flemaproducts.com has the item listed, but is a call for pricing deal. i'll ring them today and see what the story is, but guessing it is a non-stock item that i'd have to wait who-knows-how-long before (maybe) getting.

they seem to be extremely high quality products, priced competitively with high end US-made jacks and with some extremely unique features such as the super high lift with their DKxxHLQ series (~29") and low profiles.

ahm

 

[slopdog]

How about one like this -- > http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/champ-hydraulic-sideend-lift-4501-p-15201.aspx

 

[amolaver]

i stand corrected - another gj thread popped up with bmwpower passing along this link: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1-detail.htm which is pelicanparts list of ac hydraulics items. unfortunately, the DK13HLQ is OOS will have to call them as well and see what the story is.

ahm

 

[amolaver]

slopdog - that looks very interesting, only downside the is the 7" min height and what i think is a min 23" wide lift pad. if they started lower than 7" (like 1/2 that), two of those would be a neat solution - could raise both sides simultaneously. unique design - i like it!

ahm

 

[5lima30]

Could you use the traditional Hi-Lift jack (most 4x4 enthusiasts carry them) they have a standard 48" and a 60". They are 6000# capacity.

 

[LEVE]

My background is Off-road. I'd never use a Hi-Lift in a garage for anything. Don't get me wrong, they're a wonderful tool, and very handy when in the field. But, I remember "Bumper-jacks" from when I was a kid. They killed a whole lot of people. Hi-Lifts aren't designed to be placed on cement and be stable. It's out of their design pervue. I'd have to think twice about it, and the stability of it's base.

When I'm in my garage and need to lift the Jeep, pickup or van up high, I use my collapsible HF two ton engine lift with chains adapted to lift from two points on the frame. Then I lift one end of the vehicle at a time, place the jack-stands and relieve the weight off the lift.

A forklift would be nice. I keep seeing 'em on Craigs List... and have been tempted, but as yet, never pulled the trigger.

 

[amolaver]

definately won't use a hi-lift - hate the 'bumper jacks' and don't have a good lift point for it. two heavy engine hoists with some lift point fabrication would probably work but would be yet another project (the fabrication part) - i have enough of those right now

the ac hydraulics appears to be the 'best' option, although there also appears to be a similar ranger model RFJ-2TX (http://www.gesusa.com/Ranger-RFJ-2TX-Floor-Jack-p/118330.htm). the big difference is the ranger has a roughly linear slope from back to front of the lift arms (meaning it is not as low profile) vs the AC which has a 'step' design allowing it alot more reach with less height. that and the 1/2 price of the ranger...

in the application i'm specifically looking at, the extra low clearance reach of the AC isn't important, but it is a nice feature. question is, is it worth 2x the price...probably not. hell, i probably should just get truck adapter pads for my current jack and do the lift, lower on stands, swap lift pad, lift higher....shimmy. i just dread doing it - it always seems so precarious.

ahm

 

[amolaver]

for those following along at home, i found some more options...

1) ranger RFJ-3000LPF - http://www.bendpak.com/RFJ-3000LPF_Floor-Jack.pdf - 1.5ton capacity, but extremely similar to the AC hydraulics - same stepped lift arm profile, BUT max lift height of 24" (vs 29" for the AC). available much more cheaply ($250).

the RFJ-2TX is significantly more money (~$330) but has a larger lift capacity and its lift arm slope isn't a problem for my current scenario. the extremely low profile of the RFJ-3000LPF clearly has a utility advantage due to profile, but the lesser lift capacity makes it less, well, useful (ie, i would question its use on my dually).

2) using this 'cross beam' twin pad adapter - http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/champ-2-ton-cross-beam-jack-adapter-5507-p-12468.aspx on top of the RFJ-3000LPF, giving me the needed lift, although it would still be a 2 step lift since i wouldn't be able to get the adapter under the car when it was on the ground.

3) pelican parts does have the DK13HLQ for $550 plus shipping(!). given the quality issues reported (broken wheels, broken handles) - never mind the cost - i'm very hesitant to go down this road. pelican does not have the DK20HLQ in stock and only orders once or twice a year from AC...so it would be a while (not an option) and significantly more money.

i can't seem to find a 'truck adapter' as a 'normal' jack pad replacement. any hints?

ahm

 

[metal1313]

what about one of these http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:24,s:0&biw=1407&bih=712 .... wow big link. but its a gray brand end lift/bumper lift i dont even know the exact name. it would lift more than high enough, they are pretty stable and you can find them pretty cheap

 

[Garage_Mahal]

How about rigging up something like this from Pelican?

 

[bigjon]

My Compac 1.5T hi-lift jack has a lift height of 800mm or ~31.5". There made in Denmark and have a good reputation for quality. Does anyone in the US sell them?
http://www.calfinn.com.au/images/stories/pdf/Simple Jack Brochure 1 5THA.pdf

 

[amolaver]

metal1313 - that looks interesting, but that listing doesn't have a price and i'll be damned if i could find anything like it for sale anywhere else.

Garage_Mahal - hehe, that would be nice, but not an option. the tech people would not be impressed. no body modifications allowed in my class, no non-oem panels either.

bigjon - that is a dead ringer for the ranger RFJ-2TX. same constant slope lift arms, similar capacity, similar lift height... weird. i couldn't find a US retailer any idea what that jack costs you in AUD?

ahm

 

[Garage_Mahal]

What do you race?

 

[amolaver]

spec miata with NASA Mid-Atlantic (DC area). we run at Summit Point and VIR, although i instruct with groups all up and down the east coast (from the glenn to road atlanta).

ahm

 

[simplec6]

I'm following along at home, so be sure and update us to let us know what you figured out...

 

[Orangestang]

Can you build shorter setup boxes and save $$$ ? Did you build these out of wood? BTW 2200# is considered light in my drag racing world.....

 

[CRTDI]

A Milwaukee Model 40 lifts to 24", throw a hockey puck on the saddle and you've met the height requirement:

http://www.jackxchange.com/products/40.cfm

http://www.milwaukeehydraulic.com/products.html

 

[dwm]

for those following along at home, i found some more options...

1) ranger RFJ-3000LPF - http://www.bendpak.com/RFJ-3000LPF_Floor-Jack.pdf - 1.5ton capacity, but extremely similar to the AC hydraulics - same stepped lift arm profile, BUT max lift height of 24" (vs 29" for the AC). available much more cheaply ($250).

the RFJ-2TX is significantly more money (~$330) but has a larger lift capacity and its lift arm slope isn't a problem for my current scenario. the extremely low profile of the RFJ-3000LPF clearly has a utility advantage due to profile, but the lesser lift capacity makes it less, well, useful (ie, i would question its use on my dually).

2) using this 'cross beam' twin pad adapter - http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/champ-2-ton-cross-beam-jack-adapter-5507-p-12468.aspx on top of the RFJ-3000LPF, giving me the needed lift, although it would still be a 2 step lift since i wouldn't be able to get the adapter under the car when it was on the ground.

3) pelican parts does have the DK13HLQ for $550 plus shipping(!). given the quality issues reported (broken wheels, broken handles) - never mind the cost - i'm very hesitant to go down this road. pelican does not have the DK20HLQ in stock and only orders once or twice a year from AC...so it would be a while (not an option) and significantly more money.

i can't seem to find a 'truck adapter' as a 'normal' jack pad replacement. any hints?

ahm

I'm not aware of any quality issues at AC. I've had my DK13HLQ for many years and have friends that have been using them for many years as well.
No issues whatsoever; still work like new, and nicer for sportscars than any jack I've used or seen.

I am aware of packing/shipping issues. Back when Steve D. was still carrying AC jacks, I believe he unpacked, inspected, and repacked them before shipping to a customer (and the last few I think were only available for local pick up). That gets tiresome.

Of course, AC isn't the only one that has problems shipping heavy pieces. McMaster is probably the only place that has consistently packed heavy things correctly for me (love the tubes they pack bar stock in, except when I have to spend 5 minutes tearing one apart to dispose of it). Everyone else, it's hit or miss, whether it's by freight or UPS.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

amolaver, I announce races at several tracks. Spec Miata races are always a lot of fun to call. I can see, though, why my solution won't work. At 2200 lbs I was thinking of some type of purpose-built race car.

 

[amolaver]

I'm not aware of any quality issues at AC. I've had my DK13HLQ for many years and have friends that have been using them for many years as well.
No issues whatsoever; still work like new, and nicer for sportscars than any jack I've used or seen.

I am aware of packing/shipping issues. Back when Steve D. was still carrying AC jacks, I believe he unpacked, inspected, and repacked them before shipping to a customer (and the last few I think were only available for local pick up). That gets tiresome.

Of course, AC isn't the only one that has problems shipping heavy pieces. McMaster is probably the only place that has consistently packed heavy things correctly for me (love the tubes they pack bar stock in, except when I have to spend 5 minutes tearing one apart to dispose of it). Everyone else, it's hit or miss, whether it's by freight or UPS.

sorry - i was referring mostly to the packing/shipping issues resulting in broken wheels and handles. i really have 2 issues with the AC - one is in the case of such shipping damage (or the unlikely event of something failing), how available are parts? two is the cost; its not like the ranger products are no-name, flea market finds, and they are a LOT cheaper.

i would probably prefer the AC, but it looks like i'm going to end up with one of the ranger products. haven't decided yet whether the RFJ-2TX or RFJ-3000LPF is the better option. on the one hand, i'd prefer the 2 ton capacity of the 2TX, but it is a $~100 more. the 3000LPF will probably be more useful for race cars and sports cars (2.75" vs 3.5" lowered height, at least as advertised). the 2TX has a max lift of 31.5" vs 24", though in the future i anticipate using my setup boxes in conjunction with a 2 post lift so that particular need will go away... will probably end up with the 2TX and just use one of my low profile AL jacks to get something up high enough that the 2TX can get underneath it.

ahm