Floor Jack and Stands?

[reffug]

OK so I have been wanting to pick up a quality floor jack and jack stands for quite some time now. Did some searching on Amazon and a few other sites and it seems truly hard to differentiate what to buy or why to buy any particular one. Not looking for a low profile racing type set up or anything like that but I do want a serious floor jack, weight isn't an issue either. Looking for one that doesn't have the piece of crap handle that breakes into pieces nor is a foot pedal something I consider necessary. 3 to 3 1/2 ton capacity is a requirement as well as quality. As a matter of fact quality is the primary requirement IMO. No jerky drop when used and ease of roll, the sort of things I have noticed in most garage type jacks although I have never looked at a name brand when in a garage. I'm sure with all the fab and work alot of you fella's do you would have an opinion so please discuss................

 

[Junk]

Hey Scar, try posting this in Outfitting

Go to Sears and buy their 3-1/2 ton floor jack. Don't know the term for it, but it reaches load in just 2 pumps then goes normal from there. Same one as what I have. Get your jack stands at the same time.

 

[Junk]

Read this in outfitting it will help https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=121831

 

[reffug]

would someone who is at least somewhat normal please give me an opinion.....

 

[Romer]

One of the things to consider is lift height. Some are around 18 some average 21. I bought one at Sams club for $49 thats a 3.5 ton Jack. They have two, the michelin for $69 and the other blue one for $49. They look like they came from the same factory and have the same specs.

With the lifts on our rigs, every inch counts.

 

[e9999]

would someone who is at least somewhat normal please give me an opinion.....

yes, here I am : I think that you should..... SEARCH!














also, get way big stands, like 12 tons (see other threads). Get a real tall jack (see other threads), some go to 30", mine is more like 24" and it's not quite enough for suspension work on a lifted 80. I'm otherwise very happy with my Costco Alcan one (see other threads)....

added: one other advantage of the Alcan is that it's ultra low too so you can use it for DDs etc... also zerks everywhere. just not as smooth releasing as I'd like, but I helped that with a crossbar on the handle

 

[Biff]

Try this one , its on sale at Sears $90. Works great and its simple to use. Total capacity 4 tons

 

[dingdong]

I like the looks of these ones. The 4 ton goes from 5" to 26".

Snap-On

Mac Tools had some nice ones at slightly more reasonable prices. i didn't see one that went to 26' though.

Mac Tools

I will be stopping by Sears.

 

["N8"]

I have the craftsman aluminium floor jack and the thing has lasted through us thrashing on it. Granted its on its last legs... but it has been a quality tool and I will prolly go shell out another $120 when it finally goes. Also heed prior advice and get a set of 12 ton jack stands, the larger stand bace makes them super stable and all i have seen have a quick release wich is a life saver.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I bought a lincoln from Stumbaugh and the thing is NICE! Used it to swap tire sets on pop's 100 2 weeks ago and it had no problems picking up his cruiser one end at a time(this is a 2-ton jack).

I used to hang around a garage when I lived in VB and these were the same jacks they used. I also have a cheap pro-lift brand jack that I bought from Advance Auto parts a few years ago. Not a bad jack, but doesn't even begin to compare to the Lincoln. Then again the Lincoln's retail from $300 on up

 

[spressomon]

I also, after having several of the "disposable" jacks (i.e. Costco, etc.) finally this last spring opted for a Lincoln 4T. It's like DesertDude says: You only cry once when you buy the good stuff! It is made in USA out of high quality parts (for sub $1,000 price anyway); smooth pump; smooth release; one piece handle; solid and smooth describe this jack. Lifts to 24"-25"...low profile so it works on our low slung Audi too. Absolutely no regret...I think I paid around $700 no tax and free ship. Coupled with 12-ton jack stands that together allow me to get the 100 up in the air a few more inches than before.

 

[e9999]

I also, after having several of the "disposable" jacks (i.e. Costco, etc.) finally this last spring opted for a Lincoln 4T. It's like DesertDude says: You only cry once when you buy the good stuff! It is made in USA out of high quality parts (for sub $1,000 price anyway); smooth pump; smooth release; one piece handle; solid and smooth describe this jack. Lifts to 24"-25"...low profile so it works on our low slung Audi too. Absolutely no regret...I think I paid around $700 no tax and free ship. Coupled with 12-ton jack stands that together allow me to get the 100 up in the air a few more inches than before.

I don't know why you would say that the Costco jack would be a "disposable" one. For one thing, the quality and design seem very good. Plus if it fails you can just return it no questions asked. What's not to like for $69?

 

[spressomon]

I don't know why you would say that the Costco jack would be a "disposable" one. For one thing, the quality and design seem very good. Plus if it fails you can just return it no questions asked. What's not to like for $69?

Mine, from Costco, was $129 (about 8-years ago); strained to get the LC up 19" and eventually needed a trip to the dump. That was the second China made floor jack...and the last. I am sure there are many out there that use them every day for years and years and years with great results...but not me. FYI: A true commercial floor jack is generally $2K+.




Some peoples drive *eep's and some peoples drive Landcruisers

 

[Cruiserdrew]

A tough call for sure. The old line American made jacks are great-heirlooms-but they are so crazy expensive only Jay Leno can afford them. 2k for a floor jack is what I have seen them for, and I can't see it. Harbor freight jacks are complete junk-BTDT and gave it away (although it's still in use and working fine).

I am currently using a chinese made jack from Kragen of all aweful places, but it's done the job at least the last 3 years. I would love an old USA jack to rebuild-the very best ones all have rebuild kits available going back to the 1920 models, cool and old school.

 

[reffug]

All great info and much appreciated fella's. As already stated by many of you lift height is a great concern especially when dealing with rigs of our size. That is why I wanted to solicit opinions from here. I am contemplating going to the 6 inch Slee set up on my rig in the future with larger meats. Don't want to end up with a jack that won't enable me to work on the rig. I'm not sure that 21" will be enough to get that set up off the ground thus the concern. I have always operated under the theory of spend the $ once and that way you don't cry. So trying to approach this with the same logic.

Oh and e I said normal people you definately don't fall into that category........

 

[NMuzj100]

Once you start talking about $2k for a floorjack the lifts start to sound downright affordable.

Lift thread

 

[aim]

Try this one , its on sale at Sears $90. Works great and its simple to use. Total capacity 4 tons

I have one. Doesn't go low enough; doesn't go high enough; after beeing used in freezing rain isn't as smooth as it used to be; has trouble lifting one side of an 80 to its maximum 20" extension. It is, however, very sturdy, stable and lowers *very* smoothly. Compared to what I had before it is a pleasure.

 

[NMuzj100]

Makes me wonder what the key to smooth lowering is and if a person could just "tune" a $39.99 Chinese model.

My Harbor Freight 3-ton isn't real smooth but it gets the job done.