Hey guys,

I need to do some things to my car that require lifting but am undecided on a jack. I used to have a Craftsman 3ton floor jack, with the stands/creeper/etc... but that thing was insanely heavy to cart from shed/driveway. I gave it away because I was in the military and we had access to DIY autoshops and had lifts.

Though now that I'm back to being a civilian I could use one. Our cars aren't insanely heavy so I don't think a 3 ton jack is needed, and it'll be supported by jack stands anyway so the Jack is really the "small" piece to the puzzle. Jacks range from el cheapo to insane nose bleeders, but is there any certain brand/model that has good quality for a decent price?

Also, I've noticed that "trolley" jacks, are essentially the same deal. They weigh considerably less and lift just as much. (Just not as high) This a good route to go?

 

Are you using the jack in a "dirt" driveway or concrete/asphalt?

I have a small craftsman that I use and by the time I jack it up all the way, it "sinks" slightly into the gravel, I can't get the car high enough to get it up on a stand...

 

Also with a smaller jack I noticed that I have to "get under" the car to jack it up, But with a longer/large jack, it's a little easier to jack without it being all the way under the car??

 

Hey George,

It's a concrete driveway. I ended up deciding on a 2 1/4 Craftsman "Trolley" Jack. The smaller jack surface means I'll be able to jack it up at the body seams (which are lower than the pumpkin/popular jack spots anyway) So that will make up for the loss in jack height I think. Eliminates the need to crawl under the car? That's my theory anyway we'll see how well it turns out.

$70 to include two 2 1/4 ton Jackstands and the jack only weighs 27 lbs; I think it'll meet my requirements. Just need to get it high enough on jack stands to do some routine maintenance.

PS It has a max height of 15", 13" was the typical height for jacks this size which is why I went with the Craftsman. The larger ones have up to 19" so again losing 4" of lift height but we'll see.

 

I've been using the same "MVP" brand floor jack for years, and it was handed down to me from my father. I bet the damned thing is 20+ years old, and a cheapie to boot. It's served me well, but is starting to leak fluid. The rapid lift jacks harbor freight always has on sale are starting to catch my eye.

 

Haha. See? Where were you before I made my purchase?! Jk. I always forget/never use harbor freight... but their jacks do seem pretty affordable. I am almost certain I will be able to use this one to do what I need to do with it. I doubt it'll be "rapid" but... what's a few extra seconds jacking up a car?

In the event that I need a different one, I'll try out one of these from Harbor Freight. Thanks!

 

I have one of those cheapie aluminum Harbor Freight "racing" jacks. It works pretty well & is easier to use than the smaller Craftsman one that bled itself to death.

 

My Harbor Freight (Taiwan Tools) jack started leaking a few years ago so I put some hydraulic jack leak stop in it and it has worked like a champ.

 

I have a craftsman aluminum race jack. It works good for jacking under the body seems with my 1.5 inch drop. It did start leaking, but after changing the o-rings it has since stopped.

If you don't need the weight off the tires, i'd use rhino ramps. Less chance of the car falling on you.



Here's the jack

 

I always had problems with cheap jacks. The last jack I bought was an OTC racing jack. It works great. It has two pumps and a LONG handle. As far as jack stands go Ive got two set of 6 ton stands from Northern Tool that work great. I dont know how many years ive had the OTC jack but so far no problems.