Transmission Jack - HF vs Vevor

[DGersic]

Planning to replace a transmission, first and probably the only time I’ll do this. I’m too old to bench press a transmission in or out, so I need a jack. Choices so far are HF (new or used) or Vevor (new).



HF must sell a lot of these. The local store is out of stock, and there are a half dozen on FBM used, most look like they were used once. Hand cranked, seems simple enough. Not sure that the base is wide enough. The top mounting plate seems like a bad design. But it’s cheap.




This is supposedly nicer, and the tilt mechanism seems like a good idea. Base width seems about the same as the scissor lift, so maybe that’s ok. Top plate seems a lot better. Biggest downside side is that I really don’t want something this big, even temporarily. One car garage, so space is a premium.




Vevor sells this. I already have a floor jack it would fit on, so it’d be easier to store than the HF jack, and seems better than the HF scissor jack.

Any opinions on any of these?

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I can't tell you how many transmissions I have installed on my back using a ATV jack. From my experience the issue with the ones you posted are the height, they are to tall to roll under a car with the transmission on it unless its jacked up stupid high..

What are you working on?

 

[Speed-Racer]

I would avoid the cheap HF manual one. This is for a manual 5 speed, very tippy and actually broke on the second use( part we’re the thread engage), but then entire piece is cheap. Actually surprised they still sell it. My project was an aluminum case manual 5 speed, was light compared to most automatic automatic, lucky I was strong enough to avoid injury. Your safety is worth more. The floor jack models articulate easier avoiding installation issues.

 

[DGersic]

I can't tell you how many transmissions I have installed on my back using a ATV jack. From my experience the issue with the ones you posted are the height, they are to tall to roll under a car with the transmission on it unless its jacked up stupid high..

What are you working on?

37 Chevy. Already thinking I‘ll have to lift it a lot. Cribbing will be built.

700R4 coming out. Heavier than I want to be under.

TKX going in. Not as heavy as the automatic, but still don’t want it on me.

 

[Speed-Racer]

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[cgrutt]

Assuming you mean 87? I bought the HF with low stance and wider footprint and made a custom plate for it that fit the oil pan when I did mine. It's nice to have ability to adjust lift, tilt and angle independently. Whatever you get be sure to strap it securely its probably going to want to move on you esp while pulling it back and trying to reinstall it. I wound up ditching the chain that came with jack and used two ratchet straps. I wish you were closer I'd lend you mine. Good luck.

Older version of this one I believe (the one I bought is grey).

 

[mikedodge]

I don't like the adapters that fit on a regular jack, it makes them too tall and awkward to move. If anything get a jack that was made for that purpose.

A 700R4 shouldn't be a problem getting out without one. Use a normal floor jack under the pan. Don't do it with the car super high. I always do it with cardboard on the ground and only use the jack to get the transmission out, then pull it off the jack and slide it out on the cardboard. Easier to maneuver.

 

[welder4956]

I would not use the Vevor attachment. I made something similar for my floor jack and while the attachment worked great, the jack was not stable due to how narrow it is. My choice would be the HF ATV jack plus a ratchet strap, rather than the other two HF offerings.

 

[finn]

I had the HF type that replaces the saddle on a regular floor jack.

it worked as well as can be expected for the $35 I paid for it in the last century. Changed a 9” center section, a four speed (overdrive) in my old Econoline, and a couple of T5s as well as an AOD in Fox mustangs. Not ideal, though.

I gave it to my grandson after I got a lift and a transmission jack, although I wish I had held out for a three stage (or whatever) jack that retracted lower to save my back.

 

[liliysdad]

I have the HF manual jack. Since I have had it, I have used to it remove a Five Speed from a 96 Ranger, a TH400 and Dana 20 transfer case from a Jeep J10, and a G56 and transfer case from a Dodge Cummins 3500. We did that one twice.

Its worked fine each time, with zero issue.

 

[colintrax]

I bought the HF manual one many years ago when I was a teenager. It has worked well enough for the original transmission job I was doing and everything since. Axles, transfer cases, differentials. It gets the job done

 

[DGersic]

Assuming you mean 87? I bought the HF with low stance and wider footprint and made a custom plate for it that fit the oil pan when I did mine. It's nice to have ability to adjust lift, tilt and angle independently. Whatever you get be sure to strap it securely its probably going to want to move on you esp while pulling it back and trying to reinstall it. I wound up ditching the chain that came with jack and used two ratchet straps. I wish you were closer I'd lend you mine. Good luck.

Older version of this one I believe (the one I bought is grey).

37:



The running board is ~8” from the floor. I can take the running board off, but that only gains an inch or so before running in to the frame rail.

The wider HF jack looked like it was taller in the pictures than the other one. Might just be an artifact of the pictures. I want to go see these in person.

Tilt and angle adjustment does seem like it would be helpful. Can probably work around not having it, but it would be nice.

I have great respect for the stored energy of heavy things that have been lifted. I’ll be securing the trans to the jack, may even add some extra cribbing to minimize its ability to unexpectedly move away from where I want it to go.

 

[DGersic]

I would not use the Vevor attachment. I made something similar for my floor jack and while the attachment worked great, the jack was not stable due to how narrow it is. My choice would be the HF ATV jack plus a ratchet strap, rather than the other two HF offerings.

That‘s an interesting maybe better idea. I’ll have to look at those, too.

 

[zendriver]

I have the 2 ton HF jack, that uses that mechanism. Only used it to drop a full gas tank, so really didn't to test the tilt head. Seems like if it could get to fit it would work ok. In the end they probably have to be wrestled around some no matter what.

there are a half dozen on FBM used, most look like they were used once.

Maybe they only needed to use them once? If they had a problem with it, seems they just return them.

 

[bwringer]

...Maybe they only needed to use them once? If they had a problem with it, seems they just return them.

Yup, this is the sort of equipment that you can buy, use, and then sell when you're done pretty easily if you don't want to give up the space for it permanently, and it's still a LOT cheaper than renting.

I've done the same with an engine crane from HF. Bought it, took about two weeks of farting around in my spare time to complete the mission, then sold it on CrackList in about 20 minutes for $60 less than I paid.

The guy who bought it showed up in a brand spankin' new Camaro. I was starting to gather cardboard and a few moving blankets to protect the car, but he just folded the seats down and tossed it in there (I had it partially disassembled for easy loading) and took off without a care. Some gearheads just plain don't give a hoot.

 

[zendriver]

Looking at the prices of FMB **** in my area, I'd just buy something new.

 

[Beerhippie]

Tilt and angle adjustment does seem like it would be helpful.

Closer to essential. It'll save you a LOT of effort and frustration.

 

[whateg01]

I would not use the Vevor attachment. I made something similar for my floor jack and while the attachment worked great, the jack was not stable due to how narrow it is. My choice would be the HF ATV jack plus a ratchet strap, rather than the other two HF offerings.

The thing that makes a dedicated transmission jack attractive is the short handle that swivels.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would avoid the cheap HF manual one.
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The floor jack models articulate easier avoiding installation issues.

Like many HF tools, to basic design is acceptable, but during actual use they leave a lot to be desired ! And, again like many HF tools they can (relatively) easily be improved !

Dump Truck Repair: Clutch, Transmission, and Near Disaster If you don't want to watch the whole video, jump to 28:50

 

[T444e]

I have the grey HF transmission jack. Used it handful of times, F350 ZF6 and transfer case and Dodge Tremec 6 speed. It works, but I welded D-rings to it for securing the ZF6 and transfer case with straps. I added roller thrust bearings on the swivels, they were binding up on me. However, this may have been a user caused issue knowing me.

 

[DGersic]

$40 later, I now own an ATV jack. We’ll see how that works out.