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Floor Jacks, School Me please

Bubba_s

Bubba_s

Pissant Squid #186
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Location
Sonoma
Moto(s)
04 R6
Name
Shaun
Hi BARF,

I'm going to ask Santa for a floor jack (Trolley Jack?) and I want to get a decent one that will last for the rest of my life (I'll use it a few to several times a year, it will sit a fair amount of time). I'll use it mostly for oil changes probably.

I don't want a cheap one but I also don't need a super pro level one either. I am not sure of how much a good one costs, is $150 or less going to get me something nice? I've seen nice low profile aluminum (Lightweight) ones, are those good?

Thanks for your opinions/knowledge
 
It depends on what you're jacking. Changing oil in a Ford Fusion or a F350?
 
I thot it was about a bike jack.....you can buy something to pick up a car with $150???
 
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motomania2007 said:
In 1985 I bought a 2 ton rolling floor jack from the local autoparts store for $20. I still usejt and have never had an issue with it.

You can still buy those jacks about $30.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-compact-trolley-jack-64874.html

I recently bought a bigger 3 ton floor jack from HF and it works great!

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-rapid-pump-floor-jack-56617.html
Click to expand...

I have my FIL's older cheap looking one that leaks and won't lift now, his might be quite a bit older than yours but it is heavy as hell, i'm guessing the cheaper ones are also very heavy, no?

Bay Arean said:
I thot it was about a bike jack.....you can buy something to pick up a car with $150???
Click to expand...

Well, I only want to lift up one side at a time, not looking for a lift (though that would be awesome to have).

dravnx said:
It depends on what you're jacking. Changing oil in a Ford Fusion or a F350?
Click to expand...

Good point, I'll use this on my Honda Fit and my son's GTI, possibly our VW Atlas.
 
It sounds like the HF Daytona 3 ton low profile is going to do everything you ever need. It will meet your price point and handle your requirements.

edit: Actually I take it back. looks like the low profile price has gone up this year. The regular 3 ton should still get the job done under $150. I think the coupon is $105 right now.
 
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auntiebling said:
a floor jack should be heavy. "racing" jacks are the most ridiculous application of marketing... right up there with the harley lifestyle schtick. i do not trust the designers to have adequately considered the ramifications of Aluminum instead of steel.

a little light reading
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ing-as-a-usa-made-aluminum-floor-jack.763104/

here are some US made aluminum jacks. note their price and low load limit
http://www.hyjacks.com/race.htm
Click to expand...

Very interesting. So now I am looking at steel and it is hard to see the difference between the $79 and $150 jacks. Thoughts?
 
You'll also want jack stands. Never, never, never crawl under a car that is supported solely by a jack.
 
Most shit is made in China, so take your pick unless you're willing to spend the dough on a US made jack.
 
Ive owned a 1.5ton AL U.S. General floor jack from Harbor Freight for 15 years now. It works great.
 
dravnx said:
You'll also want jack stands. Never, never, never crawl under a car that is supported solely by a jack.
Click to expand...

And chock your wheels if you're only lifting one end/side, and set your parking brake!! Eliminate any possibility of the car rolling off the jack stand.

I lost a good friend who was married & had a bunch of kids to not blocking the wheels. :cry Shade-tree mechanic of many years and one mistake killed him.
 
Cincinnatus said:
And chock your wheels if you're only lifting one end/side, and set your parking brake!! Eliminate any possibility of the car rolling off the jack stand.

I lost a good friend who was married & had a bunch of kids to not blocking the wheels. :cry Shade-tree mechanic of many years and one mistake killed him.
Click to expand...

I'm really sorry to hear that. I will take your precautions to heart and use them in your friends honor.
 
I'm noticing that there are a few different styles of mechanisms in the jacks I have looked at. Can anyone comment on that? Thanks for all of the replies so far, this has been very helpful!
 
Examples:
 

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