To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Recommend me a jack/jackstands

yjWrangler

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
801
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
My dad probably needs a new jack now that his Craftsman Pro 4 ton is shitting the bed and I was looking for some recommendations. He doesn't use it too often, only a few times a year to change his wheels before winter and change them back in the spring.

The truck is a 2010 F350, so it's obviously pretty heavy. It also has a lift on it, so it needs to go up decently high. Also need some bigger jack stands since we only have are 2 ton stands and they really don't even go high enough up.

Obviously don't need anything too fancy, but a good reliable jack would be nice. What would the good folks here at GJ recommend?


Off topic: Does anybody make a tire inflator similar to this Blue Point one? I really liked the one I used, but not really liking the price.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=683717&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Jason280

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
3,157
I've actually found that the 6-ton jackstands from Tractor Supply are cheaper than the ones at HF. Of course, they likely come from the same place, but they typically run $5-10 cheaper per pair.

The 6-ton models are great for higher vehicles, and should be fine for the Ford. I bought 2 pair, and they worked great for my Jeeps.
 

trboxman

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Messages
679
Location
North Bend, WA
4,000 pound jack stands for a 7,000 pound truck....Yeah, they'll hold up either end just fine but that's not enough of a safety factor for me, and the bases on 2 ton jack stands have a smaller footprint so they're easier to tip over at any given height. Buy what you need to or what you want to, but I wouldn't buy 2 ton jack stands for my own use.
 

BD1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2007
Messages
4,602
Location
north side
Check out the ARCAN jack thread. They are 3 and a quarter ton for 104.00. Great reviews, I just bought two and like better than harbor freight.Can't beat 220.00 for two. Best part is they are low profile so you it fits under my engine hoist making it easier and safer to pin the front legs. :D
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

JASTECH

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
2,671
Location
Gering, NE
I have a pair of hydrolic jack stands at the shop still in their box. Maybe an idea, also have a pair of US Jack stands ( I think name is correct) that are 6 ton or 12 ton, bought them missmarked so manager had to come out from his office, lol

I have to go feed/water the bulls and will take pics of them.
 

rockchucker

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
1,764
Location
Seattle WA
I have had my set of Craftsman Jack Stands for years.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950163000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7


Of course with larger, heavier vehicles you can really never go too big as your life depends on it when you are under the vehicle...


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950340000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=G23


I have also been using Craftsman Jacks for years and they all still work. I have a 3-Ton Steel and a 2-Ton Aluminum.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950139000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950239000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16


I should have bought the 3-Ton Aluminum one though...


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950244000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2


Wider Footprint and just an all around better Jack than the 2-Ton Aluminum Model.
 

Pro-Painter

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
924
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
The craftsman 2-ton aluminum jack is the most dangerous jack ever made. I bought one for use with my 94 corvette. I used it a couple times with no issues. Then I went to use it, lifted my vette and went to place the jack stands when it fell. Almost took my arm off and put a large hole in the floor of my vette (from the jack stand). I took it back to sears and they would not warranty it because it was past 90 days. All they would offer is to repair the jack free of charge. However, they wanted me to pay for shipping. It was over $100.

When I got home I went to post a negative review on sears.com and found 1000's of horrible reviews about the jack falling and/or not working. Scary floor jack for sure.

I have no other experience with craftsman jacks, but this was enough to scare me away for good.




Dollar for dollar, the best possible jack to buy the Acran XL35R from costco. $109.99 and it is fantastic. I bought one from Northern tool a few years ago for $199 (Black model XL35) and it has been fantastic. SO fantastic, that I just bought another from costco yesterday.


Just an FYI: While at costco yesterday I noticed they have a "new" model that is only 3.25 ton. I compared this model to the 3.5ton display model and their where some noticeable differences. The pump had a smaller cylinder, the dual return springs where thiner, and the lip on the front wheels was thiner as well.
Both models still seem fantastic, But if your costco has both models like mine did, I highly recommend you get the XL35R over the XL325R. The XL325R is still a hell of a nice jack.


here are some pictures I took of both models and the Costco XL35R vs the Northern tool XL35

IMAG0114.jpg



IMAG0115.jpg



IMAG01251.jpg



IMAG01281.jpg
 

fourtythree

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
480
Location
WV
The HF stands are hard to go wrong with. They're fairly stout and if you look around for coupons, you can get them for next to nothing. I paid $15 for my pair of 3 ton stands. IIRC, you can get the 6 ton for $30 with a coupon.
 

trboxman

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Messages
679
Location
North Bend, WA
I got a pair of the 6 tons for $30 with a coupon from a automotive magazine...don't remember which one.

I also have an Arcan 3.5ton jack but it's an older and non-low profile version. If the low profile is made as well it would be hard to beat for the price at Costco.
 

Jeeper

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2006
Messages
2,124
Location
Round Rock, TX
Just an FYI: While at costco yesterday I noticed they have a "new" model that is only 3.25 ton. I compared this model to the 3.5ton display model and their where some noticeable differences. The pump had a smaller cylinder, the dual return springs where thiner, and the lip on the front wheels was thiner as well.
Both models still seem fantastic, But if your costco has both models like mine did, I highly recommend you get the XL35R over the XL325R. The XL325R is still a hell of a nice jack.


here are some pictures I took of both models and the Costco XL35R vs the Northern tool XL35

My Craftsman 4 ton decided to go belly up yesterday. I bought the XL325R from costco. Seems like a good jack but imagine all the imports are good out of the box. It's 5 years later that makes you wonder. I have to comment on the difference of the 3.25 ton. I thought it was just a rebadge; mainly because some other thread said so. Also when I looked through the manual it has the same "power unit assembly" as the manual for the XL35 on Northern Tool's website.
 

Skin

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
For Jack Stands, you can't beat US Jack. They have a wider base than anything on the market and they are rated 3 or 6 tons for the individual jack, not the set.

Just gave them a call. ~$66.00 (+shipping) for a pair of 6tons so i ordered some :thumbup:. I know tons of people use the HF jack stands and are still alive to tell the tale but for me i wouldnt feel comfortable putting my life in the hands of the lowest bidder. I'll use a chinese wrench without batting an eye but wont crawl under a car with cheap jack stands.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom