Need New Floor Jack - How High do I need?

[jake9]

Since I've gotten my '01 LC, my old trolley jack will no longer go high enough to get wheels off the ground. Looking around, it seems a 3 ton rating will work, but what is the max height I should look for? I'm running stock wheels and tires (275/70R-16).

Thanks.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The Arcan jack they sell at Costco works pretty well and I think lifts to 29 inches. There are some long body jacks that lift higher but they are spendy!

Anyway, I've had 5-6 years out of a Costco Arcan, and would/will buy another. Good enough, but not great. My 1 experience with Harbor Freight jacks, says they are complete junk and I would avoid.

Chinese jacks sell in the $100-$200 range. Some are pretty decent. Really good and rebuildable jacks are close to $1000. I'm not sure if there are any USA jacks left. There are old Hein-Warners that you can rebuild on ebay.

At one time, Norco jacks, were said to be the best of the imports.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Costco Jacks are great, they are the best bang for the buck right now. There will be some instances where you need to stack some wood to get the vehicle jacked up, not always the best idea though

 

[97 AZ LC]

The Arcan jack they sell at Costco works pretty well and I think lifts to 29 inches.

It wouldn't be 29 inches, probably more like 19-20, which is more than adequate.

 

[95Fantasma80]

can't go wrong with harbor freight, most is all chinese built so might as well get it for a good price.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

can't go wrong with harbor freight, most is all chinese built so might as well get it for a good price.

I generally won't trust harbor freight with anything that A) my life depends on B) I want to use more than once

 

[Cruiserdrew]

can't go wrong with harbor freight, most is all chinese built so might as well get it for a good price.

Maybe, but I had one (3.5 ton) that was dangerous. It would drop the load with no warning. Where as the Arcan jack from Costco is smooth operating and works well.

@97 AZ LC is right. Maybe a 19 inch lift. It's enough, though, and I've never run out of jack.

SO I'd decide if you want to spend $125 every 5 years or $1000 once. Then buy accordingly.

 

[95Fantasma80]

I generally won't trust harbor freight with anything that A) my life depends on B) I want to use more than once

you don't use additonal jack stands? only the one floor jack? I'd definitely agree if dependent on one item to save life then don't cheap out.

More then once is awfully hard review of harbor freight, they'd be out of business by now.

 

[CruiseLanderAZ]

Daytona jack from harbor freight is awesome. Plenty of height for a lifted truck, very sturdy, quick, long handle.

https://harborfreight.com/3-ton-daytona-professional-steel-floor-jack-super-duty-63183.html

 

[95Fantasma80]

Maybe, but I had one (3.5 ton) that was dangerous. It would drop the load with no warning. Where as the Arcan jack from Costco is smooth operating and works well.

@97 AZ LC is right. Maybe a 19 inch lift. It's enough, though, and I've never run out of jack.

SO I'd decide if you want to spend $125 every 5 years or $1000 once. Then buy accordingly.

yeah that's scary definitely worthy of a return, i haven't had that happen so i recommend them, online at HF you can read reviews and harbor freight doesn't censor reviews so you can see which products are good or crap.

 

[nissanh]

About 19 to 20 inches should do. HF 2.5 Aluminum jack is what I am looking at. It got to be light too. I still have their cordless impact gun that I bought in 2011 and it still removes cruisers wheel lugs and crank bolt. Their tools are good. I know a busy shop in Staten Island uses HF floor jacks. Once in a while things fail and for the price, can't complain. If not for HF, I'll have less than ten snap on tools!

 

[jake9]

Thanks for the replies. The Costco Arcan aluminum looks pretty good for $99. It goes to 18.6" according to the web site. That might be high enough. I don't mind the HF stuff for occasional use. The Daytona line looks nice too.

 

[nissanh]

How many tons it can lift? If 2.5 or more, thats a great price!

 

[jake9]

How many tons it can lift? If 2.5 or more, thats a great price!

According to web site, it's a 3 ton.

Costco Wholesale

 

[97 AZ LC]

you don't use additonal jack stands? only the one floor jack? I'd definitely agree if dependent on one item to save life then don't cheap out.

More then once is awfully hard review of harbor freight, they'd be out of business by now.

Indeed, if you're betting your life on a jack you're not using it correctly, or prudently. Harbor Freight jacks are very good, and durable. Costco has just the one jack, HF has a full selection.

 

[Kofoed]

s***....HF has some damn heap jacks on sale. I normally use two floor jacks to rotate tires and some other stuff. This would be a good replacement for the POS my neighbor gave me that I use as a second lol

 

[Kofoed]

Maybe, but I had one (3.5 ton) that was dangerous. It would drop the load with no warning. Where as the Arcan jack from Costco is smooth operating and works well.

@97 AZ LC is right. Maybe a 19 inch lift. It's enough, though, and I've never run out of jack.

SO I'd decide if you want to spend $125 every 5 years or $1000 once. Then buy accordingly.

I still use Pop's Walker floor jack, it's at least 50 years old.....he used the s*** out of it. A nice floor jack and tool box are really helpful if you turn wrenches yourself. Pop's got me a lincoln for a house warming present LOL

 

[MuseChaser]

Count me among the "why would it ever be necessary to bet your life on a jack?!?!" people. The only time I don't use jack stands is when I will not ever, for any reason, have any part of me underneath a part of the car that would be touched if the car came off the jack. Jack stands are mandatory if you're putting any part of you underneath a vehicle.

Having said that, I haven't found a need for anything special for this vehicle, jack-wise. I usually don't even bother lifting it for routine maintenance or repairs that aren't involved or lengthy and/or don't require the removal of a wheel.. I've got enough room to just slither under it and get the job done as it sits w/ stock AHC, even at the "low" position. O' course, I'm not exactly linebacker material.

 

[ibrahim83]

I use the yellow Daytona Jack from harbor freight. 24 inch lift and is made at the same factory as the snap on Jack. Great quality. I love it.

 

[Qtonic]

Yeah I'd go with one of these HF options:

The low profile is nice if you also have sports cars.

You can read the coupon code to the cashier to get the discount price. Or have them scan the phone if clear enough.