I need a low profile jack ....

[Pho20]

That works on gravel and dirt. I change wheels/tires on my 2013 Subaru BRZ in my drive way driveway is dirt/gravel so all of my rolling jacks dig in and the jack pad starts to slide out from under the jack point. I have been using the widow maker in the trunk and last night it failed. So I need something that’s low profile able to be used on dirt/gravel lifts straight up and can utilize the factory pinch weld

I have up to $500

TIA

 

[tomtomgt356]

When I have to jack a car up on gravel, I usually put a piece of plywood underneath to spread the load and allow the jack to move. You can get pinch weld adapters for normal jacks pretty cheap. If you need a low profile jack, you can get them for less than $100 at Harbor Freight.

Pinch Weld Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/TMB-Single-Universal-Slotted-Protector/dp/B01GXPIHY6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1515681724&sr=8-6&keywords=pinch+weld+jack+pad

 

[aka Larry]

When I have to jack a car up on gravel, I usually put a piece of plywood underneath to spread the load and allow the jack to move.

This. A rolling jack has to be able to, wait for it...roll.

 

[Druder]

Yeah low profile and offroad really don't go together unless you improvise. Harbor Freight has a really low profile 2 ton and a standard low profile 3 ton in the $80-120 then they have their Daytona 3 ton for $180 when you catch a sale like this coming weekend. Snag a half sheet of plywood and an adapter and you'll still be under half your budget.

 

[Pho20]

What thickness plywood should I get?

 

[achirdo]

Highly suggest the harbor freight 3 ton Daytona. Surprisingly great quality from harbor freight. Honestly probably feels like the most well made product in that entire store.

 

[Farmall450]

I also suggest the Daytona from HF. Had mine a year now, very nice. Excellent fit and finish plus low enough to get under your car (it goes under my friends miata No problem).

 

[Druder]

What thickness plywood should I get?

3/4 is probably your best bet, this is not a less is more type scenario. Just don't get cheap **** because it will crumble.

 

[Druder]

Also, a full sheet would hold the jack and two jack stands if you did one side at a time. Jack stands are important (mandatory for me) all the time but especially since you're working on a soft, uneven surface.

 

[exmaxima1]

Here's a really nice European-made floor jack that will last a lifetime. Expensive, but within your budget ($499 delivered). I bought this jack (previous model) a few years ago and like it alot---my friends all want me to leave it to them in my will.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/produc...MI0MaImLHQ2AIV24KzCh12Fw6GEAYYASABEgJju_D_BwE

 

[Pho20]

3/4 is probably your best bet, this is not a less is more type scenario. Just don't get cheap **** because it will crumble.

Awesome thanks this may be the first time gj has saved me money

 

[Wamsutta]

The most important part is the pad size that contacts your car. If the pad diameter is too small, it's going to put a dent in your car. Try to shoot for a five to six inch diameter pad.

 

[ovrrdrive]

What thickness plywood should I get?

I'd grab a piece of 1/8-1/4" steel plate if I were you. if your car sits as low as my son's mustang a sheet of 3/4" plywood will make it too tall to go underneath. We have to drive it up on 2x4's to get the jack far enough under it to get to a good lift point. I have the regular low profile 3 ton jack from HF. their jacks are made well. I recommend it too.

 

[wretched73]

They do make skid plates for jacks as well

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...MIobTE1bfS2AIVHp7ACh2F4AmzEAQYAyABEgJ6jfD_BwE

 

[Druder]

They do make skid plates for jacks as well

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...MIobTE1bfS2AIVHp7ACh2F4AmzEAQYAyABEgJ6jfD_BwE

That's actually not a bad price when you consider what plywood costs. Then you just have to come up with something to support your jackstands. One word of caution and this was most likely an isolated incident, I bought my father a 3 ton low profile from HF and it has two different casters making it wobble. It's getting exchanged today but it may be worth checking out in the store before taking it home like I did.

 

[jml74]

Yeah, jack stands are the way to go. I've used them on gravel with a piece of plywood underneath cut big enough to provide a platform for the jack stand. I'll do tires and brakes that way, but I wouldn't get underneath it (it's stable, but I'm pretty conservative when it comes to having a car fall on me).

 

[wretched73]

That's actually not a bad price when you consider what plywood costs. Then you just have to come up with something to support your jackstands. One word of caution and this was most likely an isolated incident, I bought my father a 3 ton low profile from HF and it has two different casters making it wobble. It's getting exchanged today but it may be worth checking out in the store before taking it home like I did.

You could always weld a piece of steel to the bottom, just like the jack skid

 

[mike93lx]

They do make skid plates for jacks as well

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...MIobTE1bfS2AIVHp7ACh2F4AmzEAQYAyABEgJ6jfD_BwE

That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing

 

[apollo11]

They do make skid plates for jacks as well

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performa...MIobTE1bfS2AIVHp7ACh2F4AmzEAQYAyABEgJ6jfD_BwE

or these
https://www.quickcar.com/64-088-Floor-Jack-Dirt-Wing/

 

[Druder]

You could always weld a piece of steel to the bottom, just like the jack skid

That's what I have and I love it, but not everybody knows a welder so I'm hesitant to offer a solution that isn't store bought. Great suggestion.

 

[Pho20]

That's what I have and I love it, but not everybody knows a welder so I'm hesitant to offer a solution that isn't store bought. Great suggestion.

so basically i just need to weld a sled onto the bottom of the jack?

 

[wretched73]

so basically i just need to weld a sled onto the bottom of the jack?

You could do that or buy a skid, like the ones posted earlier

 

[48RON54]

I'm impressed that 90% of this problem will be resolved with a piece of plywood. I feel dumber for not having thought of that lol.