knever3 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I am in the market for a new floor jack, I currently have a inexpensive one and it has a hair trigger to let the truck down. It also looses pressure and falls ever so slowly. So which one/brand would you choose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have a Pro-lift I bought from Advance auto and I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I grew up using my fathers AC-Delco floor jack, he still uses it. It is a solid unit and real heavy, yet it operates very smoothly. It does sit a little high to use under most fwd cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Its one of those cases where you get what you pay for,how much are you looking to spend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 I'm not sure, if it's what I want I will spend what it's worth. I have two "must have" uses: #1. Must be low profile enough to get under my Grand Prix. #2. It must have a speedy lift lever or action. I really am tired (literally) wasting my effort pumping it 15 times before it even hits the body to lift it. I am also considering one with a replaceable pad to lift higher. I've seen ones with a round pipe with a pad ontop, kind of an extra lift jack. But this must be removable to replace said pad to lift my car. I don't even know if they make such a thing. :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdocdave Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Result ... &Nty=1&N=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 :agree: Napa sells some nice jacks,last shop I worked at had 2 of the 3.5ton ones from napa. they weren't cheap but they worked well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Results.aspx?Ntt=floor%20jack&Ntk=Keyword&Nty=1&N=0 don't listen to this joker. he doesn't even have an mj anymore :shake: :ack: :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brdhntr Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 first let me say that i think the jack stands are far more important than the jack. they are what really should hold the vehicle up and should be used at all times, even for small stuff. spend money on the stands first, then the jack. :smart: i have a craftsman professional model i love. it's been heavily used for 10 years or so and never let me down. i've never had to add oill until this week. it has the 1 pump to frame and lowers as slow as you want. it fits under my audi in almost all places as well. it is heavy but moves around pretty easy. i can't stress how much i have used this jack, and it's been awesome fro me. the "tubular pieace with a pad ontop" is an exstension that can be bought for many jacks. i think that harbor freight has offered 1 at 1 time. torin makes a pretty good jack as well. they sell them through other brands band usually last. they're not even close to my crafstman imho though. when i had my shop i had 3 jacks at all times made by other companies and they failed every year or so. these were used almost all day 6 days a week (16 hours a day) and were beat to hell, so that wasn't actually too bad. i bought a craftsman (the model i have) and it was still working when i left several years later. i did also by a jack at napa for the shop that lasted quite awhile. i have a buddy that bought a blue low profile aluminum jack from harbor freight that he loves. i've used it with him and it's pretty nice. i don't know how durable it will be though. it doesn't seem like it would make it as long for my uses, again imho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I agree stands are very important,I own a few sets and I used the crap out of them. I have a couple harbor freight 3ton jacks,one is over ten years old. They work great for the price but definitly are not the same as a high quality jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 sears craftsman 4 ton quick jack is what I've got. I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Sears typically doesn't sell junk,so thay are usually a good choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 :soap box: first let me say that i think the jack stands are far more important than the jack. they are what really should hold the vehicle up and should be used at all times, even for small stuff. spend money on the stands first, then the jack. :smart: Ok, I must clear the air a bit, I didn't say I don't use jack stands. I do ALWAYS except when I go to remove them the car has settled down onto the jack stands so I must jack the car up to remove them. I have four 12 ton jack stands that I use all the time, thanks for your concern though. :thumbsup: This is what I have, except I have two more 12 ton stands not seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody4359 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 i got a pretty decent 2.5 ton jack from costco. it has a low profile which is good for my car and lifts around 20-24" at max stroke, i don't rember the exact heigth. it was $90 and i think when u buy stuff from costco, if it breaks/stops workin, take it back with the recipte and the swap it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I've got a 3-ton Craftsman - had it for 6+ years - works well - no complaints I also have a 3-ton Harbor Freight - had it for maybe 3 years now - also works well, but has a very fine window of adjustment when you're lowering a vehicle. You can either have it creep down at a snails pace or have it come crashing down like a bag of bricks. BTW, I think it's currently on sale for $50. Pretty good deal. It's a three-piece coupon... http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/ema ... n21_01.jpg http://images.harborfreight22.com/barco ... 2014530000 http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/ema ... n21_05.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I too have a harbor freight model. never again. leaks fluid and he's not kidding about that hair trigger for letting the truck down. :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I too have a harbor freight model. never again. leaks fluid and he's not kidding about that hair trigger for letting the truck down. :ack: I've heard a ton of complaints about the HF jacks leaking. I guess I got lucky as mine doesn't leak at all, but my Craftsman does leak a little bit. I've used my Craftsman on MUCH heavier vehicles, though. Vehicles that were pretty darn close to the maximum weight limit of the jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACKED88 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have a big h/d Craftsman (don't remember tonnage) and its a pc of sh-t. First thing that failed was the bolt head it uses for the valve control rounded off making it impossible to open or close the valve by turning the handle. I had to use channel locks to turn the geared wheel that opens/closes the valve. Second is the hydraulic plunger started leaking resulting in having to add fluid just about every time I needed to use it. It now sits in the garage collecting dust. I'm currently using an aluminum low pro that works great. [Alltrade Trades Pro 3000lbs./1.5ton Aluminum Racing Jack Model No. 837000] Granted it being a low pro I usually have to add a 4x6 block of wood on top of it but other than that it's the best jack I've ever owned. And a lot lighter to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWinland Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200345429 It's been a good one. Puts my '04 Ram in the air with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdocdave Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks Pat, how long have you been waiting to do that? :wavey: I posted the Napa link and they're going to be better than any big box stuff. I have a craftsmen that works well, quick action and all, I've had for probably 10 years, and I also have a Walker that I inherited from my Grandfather. The Walker is in a whole nother class, you barely notice there's a vehicle on top of the Walker, the wheels move like butter, the release action is like nothing else. There is a difference between full on professional equipment, and craftsmen. If you are lucky enough to find a Walker on flea bay or CL buy it, and rebuild it if it needs it. Yes they sell parts for them, try to rebuild a craftsmen EDIT: my statements on Walker are all before Lincoln ever got involved, Walker only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brdhntr Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 i just grab the bumper with one hand and move the jackstands in place with the other. :brows: (sorry. i felt a mandatory smart a$$ comment was needed) :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJCARENA Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I own a HF one, it is at least 15 years old, No leaks and still works good. I would not recommend one from what I have read about them now days. I think it all depends on what kid put them together and the quality of steel they used that day. I have never used it without jackstands. Never really trusted it from day one, but the thing won't die. If you can afford to get a better quality one, that would be the way to go. Like others have said, at least get really good quality jackstands. I always lower the jack so the jackstands take the weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbrand Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I always lower the jack so the jackstands take the weight. I thought that was the whole idea of jackstands? Just use the jack to get it up and down, and let the stands hold it? Or am I doing it wrong? :hmm: I use a little goofball of a 2.5 ton jack I got from Checker in a pinch. It doesn't lift especially high, but I've had it almost 2 years, casual usage, and for the ~$30 I paid, I have no complaints. It didn't like lifting the rear end of the parts truck, with the motor in the bed, but you can't expect too much when you only have two feet of leverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brdhntr Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 i carry a cheap one in the vehicles just in case i get a flat. i hate to use those crappy jacks that come with vehicles. i rather use a cheap floor jack. i don't use them for regularly lifting vehicles for working on stuff though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Ok, just wanted to give you all an update on this one. I was looking for the jack made by AC and it was over $500 and it is no longer made so after giving up hope for a while my fiance suprised me this Valentines Day with this as you may have seen. I must say I give it VERY high marks and with the price you can't beat it. This IS the one to buy! Features + Benefits Professional low-profile jack Only 3 1/2in.H to get under low loads Two-stage quick lift Maximum lift height: 21 3/8in. Thick side plates and reinforced lift arm for added strength, chassis torsion and durability Dual pump pistons for a quick rise Piston dust shields prevent hydraulic contamination Bypass and overload valves prevent over extension of hydraulic ram, jack use beyond rated capacity Ball bearing-mounted rear swivel caster wheels and wide-track front wheels for maneuverability and stability 2-piece handle for easy storage Meets or exceeds ANSI/ASME and PALD standards What's Included (1) Service jack (1) 2-pc. handle Key Specs Lift Capacity (tons) 3 1/2 Min. Lift Height (in.) 3 1/2 Max. Lift Height (in.) 21 3/8 Manufacturer Warranty 12 months parts / 12 months labor Ship Weight 109.0 lbs Item# 144236 Brand Shop for Arcan It's on sale for only $109!! http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... 200345429# Now time to get to work!! :wrench: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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