Reccomend a floor jack?

[TJM2]

Hi everyone,

I know this topic has been covered in many ways, shapes and forms, but I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, info-wise, or the threads were pretty old.

So, I'm here because I know next to nothing about tools and such, and have found that the best way to learn a subject is to ask the guys that know it inside out and 12 degrees from sideways.

In the interest of performing basic maintenance on our vehicles ('02 4Runner and '07 4 door Jeep), I am looking for a good floor jack and jack stands that are heavy duty enough to lift them both (so a max weight of around 3500 lbs.) This will be stuff like oil changes, brakes, etc.

I found a craftsman set that included a creeper, jack, and stands, the whole set going for about $160. I don't know if that's a bad sign (cheap/crappy stuff) or a really really good deal.

So, I'm trying to find stuff I can afford on a student budget that will last me at least a few years. I can get the lifetime stuff next. But I don't want something that will fail.

Can you help?

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Don't chince on a jack. I have the Craftsman aluminum racing jack. I like it. Bought it in 2006. Piston went about three or four years ago, parts are available from the manufacturer http://www.shinnfuamerica.com/. Just make sure you oil the ball bearing in the wheels and the roller and check all the nuts and bolts on a regular basis. You'll pay a little more, but you'll be happy.

Pay a little more for jack stands too. Get some with a wide base, you'll be much more comfortable under the vehicle with the wider base.

Looking for a skinny deal ... watch Craigslist. Look at the welds on the jack stands closely and look for possible overloading.

 

[Wamerjamer]

I bought that deal a while ago,used the jack maybe 10 times ,noticed a leak around the pump,said f@@@ it and bought these :View attachment 20

 

[paulsomlo]

So, I'm trying to find stuff I can afford on a student budget that will last me at least a few years. I can get the lifetime stuff next. But I don't want something that will fail.

Those Milwaukees are beautiful - but they'll cost him a semester's tuition. Find something used on CL that still works, or better yet, find one cheap that doesn't work and rebuild it, if you've got the inclination.

Paul

 

[zkling]

So, I'm trying to find stuff I can afford on a student budget that will last me at least a few years. I can get the lifetime stuff next. But I don't want something that will fail.

Can you help?

Outside of used, in this order lowest to highest priced, least to most favorable.
HF offering
Arcan from costco
Napa pro jack
Hein Werner

The HF jack stands really aren't that bad, try to get the largest capacity ones that your jack will clear. The lower the height to base width ratio the more stable it is going to be, just watch out as some of the 6T+ stands at minimum are a bit tall for some of the lower max lift height jacks.

 

[TJM2]

I suppose I can try rebuilding one, but I have never tried that and would be starting from square 1. Depending on the difficulty/skill level, I might not want to trust my safety to it.

The height to base info is new to me - thanks for posting that, or I wouldn't have even known to think of it. I also heard you want a floor jack that can lift 3/4's of your vehicles total weight? That's why I was thinking a 3 ton would be needed.

I was a little hesitant about HF since it seems to get a bad rap around here, but if you think it will do the trick for a couple years of occasional use, I will check it out along with the others (pretty sure the Hein Werner is outta my league though...)

 

[rburke65]

I have a Craftsman floor jack and it was made in China. On the fourth time I used it the seal blew out. I replaced the seal with one from work and it's been fine since then. Never get under a vehicle without jack stands! Notice I did not say cement blocks or some other item.....use jack stands. And go a little over board on the size of the stands....the life you save my be your own.

 

[BirdRacer]

I know they're not the best quality, but I have a 3 ton, low profile jack from Harbor Freight that I have had zero issues with. I have been using it for the last 3 or 4 years. I left one car on it with no stands for about a week. It never leaked down a bit. I think I paid somewhere around $60-$70 bucks for it. I don't see it on their site now, but it is a black frame with a yellow lift arm, and white handle.

 

[nolimits76]

IMO, jacks and jack stands is somewhere I would spend extra money. If they fail, they can cause major damage to your vehicle or possibly take your life. I'd rather eat at home and use rabbit ears a few months to get the good stuff.

Also, being a former Jeep owner, be aware if you have lifted your Jeep you may need extended reach items. Some might suggest a "hi-lift" jack to you. They have their place in the world, but are very, very unstable. But lots of guys use them as manual winches for recovery.

 

[brycez28]

I too got a 3 ton jack from Harbor Freight for around $70 with coupon. I've had it for about 2 years with no issues. I've left the front corner of my F150 on it for a week (jackstand under the frame for backup) and it never dropped down any.

I have a creaper, I think from Harbor Freight, but I personally don't like creepers. You need to jack the vehicle up another 3-4" to account for the height lost from the creeper and my concrete has cracks in it so the wheels are always catching on something and never going the direction I want. I like using an old rug or large piece of cardboard to lay on.

 

[James E]

The jack that comes in the Craftsman sets is super-cheap and problematic. My first really bad experience with Craftsman tools came with the crappy jack that came in their least expensive set. It wouldn't stay up from day one. I returned it and the replacement had the same problem, so I quit trying.

Their next set up in price has a decent jack but it doesn't lift very high and it's HEAVY. Honestly, I don't think it will work for the vehicles you're talking about.

I have the Craftsman aluminum jack and love it. It's never let me down and it's light enough that I can lift it in and out of my pickup with no straining at all.

Still, even that might be too low for a 4Runner and a Jeep. It's probably ok for the 4Runner if you haven't modded it any but the Jeep--I'm not so sure. If you're talking about using a hydraulic jack, you may want to spend a little extra and look into a high-lift style somewhere.

 

[BirdRacer]

I definitely wouldn't trust my life to the HF jack without stands, but I wouldn't trust my life to a $1000 jack without stands either.

 

[Flivver250]

While I want a Hein-Werner, I have an Arcan 3.5 ton. I hate buying cheap Asian junk, but this one is 4 years old with no problems. Cost around a hundred bucks I think.

 

[rshadd]

The Hein-Warner 3-ton (HW93652) is a great floor jack. Made in the U.S.A.

 

[BD1]

I too bought the Arcan. I don't think you can beat it for the price.

 

[Iggi]

The absolute best there is in floor jacks.
http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/en/products/hydraulic-jacks/

 

[StanGetz]

I bought one of these about 3 years ago to work on various project cars.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UM7B98/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's not a big name fancy jack, but it's damn solid. I've never had a single issue, spending hours underneath it, sans jackstands from time to time, it's held up cars overnight, no big deal.

It deals with my 98 4runner just fine. Can lift it fairly high, while still having a low enough profile to get underneath the average car, as well as some lowered cars.

 

[Streetbu]

The Hein-Warner 3-ton (HW93652) is a great floor jack. Made in the U.S.A.

Ditto! Buy it once and use it for life. Or buy the cheap $100 HF ones and plan on replacing them every 3-5 years depending on usage....

 

[TJM2]

Well, I like buying US made products, and from the look of it I will be getting a Hein Werner next. But in the mean time, with what I can afford, I will be hitting up HF.

As far as jack stands are concerned, you can get good ones pretty cheap, right? At least compared to a floor jack? How good of a set can I pick up for no more than $100? For $150? From my view (please, correct me if I'm wrong - it's why I'm here) the stands are more important, since you will be relying on them to actually keep the truck in the air, versus lifting it into the air.

Oh, and my 4Runner is lifted - I have roughly 2.5 to 3 inches overall lift between the tires and the Old Man Emu shocks/coils. The jeep is mostly stock. Mostly because it's hers.

 

[paulsomlo]

I suppose I can try rebuilding one, but I have never tried that and would be starting from square 1. Depending on the difficulty/skill level, I might not want to trust my safety to it.

The height to base info is new to me - thanks for posting that, or I wouldn't have even known to think of it.

The most difficult part of rebuilding one is removing the tank nut - you'll need a big vice or a shop press to hold it, and a big wrench. And you NEVER want to be under the car without it supported by jackstands - whether your floor jack is a $60 HF special or a $600 Milwaukee.

I believe the height to base info is in reference to jack stands, not floor jacks.

 

[paulsomlo]

You might check out this link from your local Craigslist: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tld/4227858323.html

Also, I believe forum member "Hiball", who rebuilds floor jacks, lives in Mexico MO.

 

[jwhcars]

Get double locking jack stands or screw type. AC- hydraulic has both type.
I've read many posts about jack and jack stand accidents, buy the best stands!

 

[Contract_Pilot]

Rebuilding the hydro cylinder on a HF jack is a must I have seen them leak right out of the box. But i have also seen Snap-on jacks and other jacks leak as it seems they use crappy seals in the newer stuff. So, MS or AN O-rings and wipers are rather inexpensive and better then the chi-com stuff and replace the fluid with good MIL 5606 will not leak 1 drop and be as reliable as a more expensive one.

 

[ludakris04]

Well, I like buying US made products, and from the look of it I will be getting a Hein Werner next. But in the mean time, with what I can afford, I will be hitting up HF.

As far as jack stands are concerned, you can get good ones pretty cheap, right? At least compared to a floor jack? How good of a set can I pick up for no more than $100? For $150? From my view (please, correct me if I'm wrong - it's why I'm here) the stands are more important, since you will be relying on them to actually keep the truck in the air, versus lifting it into the air.

Oh, and my 4Runner is lifted - I have roughly 2.5 to 3 inches overall lift between the tires and the Old Man Emu shocks/coils. The jeep is mostly stock. Mostly because it's hers.

If your just placing the stands under the axles, 3 ton are good. if your on the frame, you may need 6 tons. The difference (other than capacity) is the height. I had a cherokee on 34's, with 3 ton stands maxed out on the frame, the tires where not off the ground.
I needed the 6 tons for suspension stuff.

 

[Witsbusa]

I needed a heavy duty floor jack for a header / exhaust install on my tundra.. the Harbor Freight 4 ton heavy duty did the trick lifting the front end of my truck about 20 inches without no sweat.. I use jack stands under the frame, but until I got them positioned and lowered the truck onto them, the jack held perfectly.. had the truck up and down a ton of times and no issues whatsoever. here is the link to mine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68056-8050.html

Definitely feels solid as hell, though I was surprised at the described weight of 100lbs.. I do know if I am lifting it a bit as opposed to maneuvering on the wheels, it definitely has some heft!

 

[SHELLFISH]

My floor jack looks like The Hein Warner but it's a Walker . I bought it about 35 years ago. It's been rebuilt once. Mine is the same colors as the Hein Warner as shown. It's a two ton. My jack stands are 5 ton from the same company.

 

[frankush]

Well, I like buying US made products, and from the look of it I will be getting a Hein Werner next. But in the mean time, with what I can afford, I will be hitting up HF.

As far as jack stands are concerned, you can get good ones pretty cheap, right? At least compared to a floor jack? How good of a set can I pick up for no more than $100? For $150? From my view (please, correct me if I'm wrong - it's why I'm here) the stands are more important, since you will be relying on them to actually keep the truck in the air, versus lifting it into the air.

Oh, and my 4Runner is lifted - I have roughly 2.5 to 3 inches overall lift between the tires and the Old Man Emu shocks/coils. The jeep is mostly stock. Mostly because it's hers.

Why not get the matching stands for the jack you'll get down the road. The 3 ton are also available for less money.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011O2RYQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kgorman]

If you want quality, safety, reliability, and low profile the AC Hydraulics;

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1_pg3.htm

 

[brownbagg]

i got a harbor freight , its the orange one, its a piece of chit. its worth the money but asa good jack its a cheap worthless copy

 

[TJM2]

Paulsomlo,

I did see that the height/base ratio was for the stands, I guess I just wasn't clear in saying that. Thanks for making sure I knew though. Also, I looked on craigslist, and saw that particular ad; the problem was that almost all the floor jacks were 2.5 ton, and I'm looking for a 3 ton minimum. The reason is that I don't want to be getting the jack close to it's limits, especially at the top of the lift. No need to strain a lighter weight jack if I can just find a 3 or 3.5 ton.

Same will go with the stands. I like the Hein Werner 6 tons. I will most likely use them on the axles most of the time, but like ludaris04 pointed out I might as well have the flexibility in case I need to put them on the frame. Plus, having a tool rated for more than I will throw at it won't hurt, in my humble opinion...

Well, it looks like a HF floor jack until I get out of school and start making some good $$$, and a pair of HW 6 ton stands (the HF jack only needs to last me about 2 or 3 years).

Thanks, everyone, I feel like I slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night!

 

[mrborohachi]

Ditto! Buy it once and use it for life. Or buy the cheap $100 HF ones and plan on replacing them every 3-5 years depending on usage....

+1 my first floor jack buy was one of these tried and true blue/yellow's. You want peace of mind and something that will last 4-5yrs before a seal job buy one and be done.

On the cheap and taking some time. Scour on Craigslist and be sure to look in major cities. Shops are going out of business or mechanics need $$.

I recently scored on Craigslist and bought this:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3687264&postcount=313

looking on CL for floor jacks is a must, I even came across 2 Made In USA jacks an hour drive from me.

 

[TJM2]

+1 my first floor jack buy was one of these tried and true blue/yellow's. You want peace of mind and something that will last 4-5yrs before a seal job buy one and be done.

On the cheap and taking some time. Scour on Craigslist and be sure to look in major cities. Shops are going out of business or mechanics need $$.

I recently scored on Craigslist and bought this:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3687264&postcount=313

looking on CL for floor jacks is a must, I even came across 2 Made In USA jacks an hour drive from me.

The issue with buying a proper jack right now is funds. I have to do this on the cheap, and get something that will last me the next two years. I will get a good one after that.

If I buy something off craigslist, unless it was from someone that rebuilds them, it seems like I'd be rolling the dice with the safety/quality of the unit, don't you think? Being new to these, I wouldn't know what to look for to make sure nothing was amiss.

 

[charger6773]

I have a harbor freight I got long ago (before they had stores and were mail order only, 15+ years ago) It is orange and white, with removable saddle. It has never failed me, and never leaked. I use it almost every weekend. Used it with one of those transmission adapters (from when the Chuck Homier sales use to come around) to pull rear wheel drive transmissions. Have even used it on a gravel drive. But be aware on gravel driveway (mostly for tires) it does not roll when lifting so only lift one side at a time. Napa has jack stands 3 ton and 6 ton now for 39.99 and 59.99 a pair. ALWAYS use jack stands unless you have big life insurance policy and want your wife to live well when you are gone! I have the HF 3 ton 6 ton and 12 ton stands. They have served me well. 12 ton stands go to 30 inch height.

 

[TMcCay]

The NAPA pro jack is on sale regularly. I know I paid less than $200 for mine 3 years ago and that is some of the best money I have spent on a tool. They had both the 2 ton aluminum jack and the 3 ton steel jack. I bought the 3 ton.

 

[exmaxima1]

So, I'm trying to find stuff I can afford on a student budget that will last me at least a few years. I can get the lifetime stuff next. But I don't want something that will fail.

Can you help?

When you are ready for the "lifetime stuff", you won't be disappointed with the OTC 5200. I have the Griot's Garage version (it's painted red), and all my friends are amazed at the power and smoothness of operation. If yiou shop around you should be able to get it for under $400 (I paid $350 a few years ago). Here's a thread on it:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114727