Looking for an AC Hydraulic DK13HLQ

[afazz]

I have finally picked out the low profile floor jack I want, after ruling out the Omega 29023 and deciding to spend the extra cash on the real deal: an AC Hydraulic DK13HLQ. The problem is, I can't find one anywhere!

-Drivewerks says it's temporarily unavailable on their website.
-ASE Deals says it's out of stock for 4-6 weeks.
-Alltiresupply.com says they don't have them, don't know when they'll get them (hopefully within a few months) and doesn't know the pricing.
-Ultimate Garage doesn't carry the AC line anymore.

Apparently some places have the DK20HLQ still in stock, but it's another $200($850ish with the rubber pad). Self control isn't my strong suit when it comes to tools, but that's a lot of cash for a floor jack!

Anyone have any other ideas? I don't have a problem waiting a month or two, but I'm still not guaranteed to even get one, IF they come in!

 

[afazz]

So four of these popped up on Ebay. Only $784 shipped!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AC-H...Z250341442022QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

I've been holding out on a new jack until the AC was available again, but that's pretty expensive! Considering I can get the Omega 29023 for $350 shipped, I'm not sure I can justify this cost. Back when the AC was $500 it was a good deal, but this is crazy!

 

[GDA]

Wow! Those prices are crazy!

I sure am glad I got mine when they were MUCH more reasonably priced. There is no way I would fork out that kind of coin nowadays.

After 4 years of use and no issues, I am very pleased with them. Good luck with your search.

 

[oldno3fan]

what about milaukee jacks?

 

[kwyjibo]

you may already know this by now, but the importer that the retailers source them from has stopped importing them. at the beginnning of the summer i was told by one of the guys you mentioned that they would ship me one as soon as their shipment gets in, "about a week or two.... " after two weeks, i got the same answer. at one month they told me that they'll likely never see them again and that i should order one from another place. great, most of the other places sold out in that time when the forums got wind of this. i did look for them again in october and was told that there still is no importer.
the current pricing is a nice lesson in supply and demand
i guess me and my weepy omega will just have to be together a while longer

 

[afazz]

That sounds just like my story!

Do you have the Omega 29023 or another model?

 

[kwyjibo]

hello afazz,
yes, i have the omega 29023. i looked for an alternative low-profile jack for a while, and after reading a thread on a vette forum, settled on the omega. got it real cheap too - less than $300 to the door from amazon (watch the prices, they change often). but the old saying "you get what you paid for" definitely applies here. not the greatest quality but it does what its supposed to do, lift from further in than most jacks can go.
my old jack -still living at my parents place- was an older hein warner and that was good quality. did i have to drive my old car onto stacked 2x8s to get the jack in there? yes, but i had no worry that the jack would give and everything would come crashing down.
back to the omega, i pucker until the car is settled on the stands. why? because they didn't care enough to even put it together straight. on level ground, it rocks (not in a good way). one of the back wheels is higher than it should be. last spring it i found that it leaked some fluid onto the floor. just a couple of drops, but its obviously not sealed.
anyway, to sum up, you will find in this and other forums that even the most expensive tools will sometimes have their problems. if you spring for the cheap knockoff - know that you are getting the cheap knockoff and live with it - good or bad. would i get this one again? probably not. as other threads or replies will suggest their favorite brands, i'd probably look into those, even though it probably means paying a bit more than for the omega. just my opinion.

 

[hossmwp]

I was looking for this same jack. I did all the research and called all the retailers that are listed with no luck. I didnt go the route of the Omega. We have a larger Omega at the farm and its not holding up well at all and it just picks up pickup trucks nothing over its specified limits.

I decided to look for used lifts. The price of the jack is 1/2 of what you can get a good used lift for. The one item I found when looking for the AC Hydraulics jack that I cant live without are the Esco flat top jack stands. Wow are they nice but they are expensive.

 

[afazz]

Thanks for the great info! That's almost exactly what I have been debating in my head, it's nice to see somebody else shares the same views. I have read the same "vette forum" thread, and I'm sure you saw the comparison review too (on some other board).

I currently have a Craftsman low profile. It leaks constantly, I've already welded in a new u-joint because it broke, most of the screws are broken and replaced, it's just a huge turd. I build lowriders, so even with the lowest of low jacks I have to drive on 2x4s, but 1 2x4 is a lot less hassle than 2 or 3 - especially when the rocker panel and bumper are both 1" off the ground! Then your 2x4 has to fit in between the tire and bumper... I've done my fair share of damage to rockers and bumper lips

$784 is a lot, but I'm honestly considering it. I use the hell out of my floor jack. I won't be getting a lift for a while, and even then you still need a good floor jack. I can buy the Omega for $300, then another crappy one when it leaks/fails/explodes, and just continuously keep buying junk $300 jacks for eternity, or I can buy this one once.

 

[afazz]

More good info Hoss! That's enough to discourage me from the Omega for good. I've also heard lots of bad about the Rangers. I guess my options have been narrowed down to 1) lift 2)AC or 3) keep buying harbor freight/Craftsman junkers.

edit: spelling!

 

[ratchet_gear]

I am thinking about buying this jack. You should check it out. The only drawback is the shipping charge.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200345429_200345429

Arcan web site:

http://arcanusa.com/

 

[afazz]

Thanks for the tip! I think I'm between the Omega, ATD, and this AC right now.

I'm pretty close to just buying this AC Hydraulic while it's available. I've looked at Omega, Ranger, ATD, the Arcan above, all Craftsman options, various chinese copies from Summit Racing, Eastwood, and Griot's Garage, even Grizzly! Is there anything I've overlooked? I'm looking for the ultra low profile style jack.

 

[Jeckel30]

Did you look at the AFF 200T? After researching jacks for months I have concluded that this is the jack I will end up buying.

http://www.asedeals.com/automotive_floor_jacks.html

 

[GDA]

Thanks for the tip! I think I'm between the Omega, ATD, and this AC right now.

I'm pretty close to just buying this AC Hydraulic while it's available. I've looked at Omega, Ranger, ATD, the Arcan above, all Craftsman options, various chinese copies from Summit Racing, Eastwood, and Griot's Garage, even Grizzly! Is there anything I've overlooked? I'm looking for the ultra low profile style jack.

If you do get the AC jack, you will have no regrets. I can say that at a minimum.

 

[afazz]

Just bought the AC The seller has 100% positive feedback, 1332 score, so hopefully the transaction goes well!

Thanks Jeckel for the suggestion, that looks very nice, but I decided to just go all out and get the good stuff! I will post when it arrives. Thanks all for the help!

 

[bmwpower]

Ouch. Good to know my purchase was a good investment.
You won't be disappointed.
What do we do for warranty work though?

 

[afazz]

The price just went up to $820 shipped!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AC-H...Z370132632425QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

I didn't get a good deal by any means, but I saved $40 by getting it early!

As for warranty, I'm not really sure to be honest. ATD is the only jack of the bunch with a published parts list. AFF claims they have service centers, but I couldn't find any online reviews of the AFF jack. Honestly, I don't have too much faith in the manufacturers' warranty for any of the Chinese jacks, replacement parts would be my main concern. The AC Hydraulic website has a contact page where you can request spare parts, hopefully you can buy direct if necessary.