Floor Jacks

herndy_1 · 04-16-2008, 08:19 PM

I am currently shopping around for a decent floor jack, but I have no idea what brands are reliable. I am looking for something around 3.5 tons with the low profile design that most importantly won't spill its fluid after 6 months of use.

I have heard good things about Hein-Werner, but I have yet to find one with the low-profile design. Also, I haven't found much from them for under $300.

I did run across this, but have never heard of the manufacturer before.
http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200345429.htm

Any expert advice?

zigzagg321 · 04-16-2008, 08:27 PM

That one looks like it should work fine. I guess thats "expert" advice considering my profession. haha.

SxyXc · 04-16-2008, 09:33 PM

we have a very nice craftsman aluminum floor jack that is really nice..
its light, dependable, strong, and it goes up to the spot you need it fast, still like normal for jacking... but we love it for our race cars... don't know price or anything. but its a craftsman aluminum, easy to carry because of handles...
like this one (but ours has a 3 1/2 tons capacity if i remember correctly..)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment
we also have one like this but the bad thing is that its very heavy... very..
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment

01FR500 · 04-17-2008, 01:18 PM

You might want to check out Harbor Freight. They have a pretty big selection of jacks, alot of different alum. low profile jacks. A 3.5 ton alum. jack might be a little difficult to find for <$300.

bassman97 · 04-17-2008, 01:51 PM

OTC, especially their old US made jacks that just got discontinued, which can be had for a decent price. Whatever you do, don't go w/ the cheaper stuff from Sears. Their more expensive stuff are good but their 2-1/4 ton jack I go from them BLOWS. Leaked after the first couple of uses and the 2-1/4 ton stands that came w/ it started to buckle, after only a year of use. As for Harbor Freight, I've heard good things, as well as Snap On. Just remember, this is NOT the place to skimp on cash.

herndy_1 · 04-17-2008, 02:03 PM

Yeah, I have pretty much heard nothing but bad things about jacks from Sears. I am definitely not opposed to spending 300 because I really just want something that is reliable, and I really don't need an aluminum one. I will check out OTC if I can find them, and Harbor Freight. Thanks.

Lazerred6 · 04-17-2008, 02:24 PM

Cheap jack =

PureStang · 04-17-2008, 02:29 PM

i got a Craftsman hydrolic jack and 2 jack stands on sale from sears for $59.99 about 2 years ago....havent failed me to this day and i use them a lot...i just wish they wend up higher sometimes.

herndy_1 · 04-17-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazerred6

Cheap jack =

haha, that's nice.

01FR500 · 04-17-2008, 04:19 PM

I got pretty scared once when I was changing a tire w/o a jackstand and the jack started to leak w/o a rim on the hub, had to get a new rim on there quick. It was a friend's cheap jack so no worries lol.

Lazerred6 · 04-17-2008, 04:27 PM

Cheap jack or no jack stand =

(restatement)

Even if you aren't under the car a jack stand is always a must.

Steeda97 · 04-18-2008, 08:07 AM

Lowes has a 3 ton Kobalt Floor Jack for like 50 bucks. lol.

01FR500 · 04-18-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeda97

Lowes has a 3 ton Kobalt Floor Jack for like 50 bucks. lol.

Do you know what the min. and max. lift on it is? It's probably steel isn't it? I need a new jack too by-the-way lol.

bossman302 · 04-20-2008, 12:11 PM

I was in the market for a new jack as well. I just went to Sears and picked up there aluminum jack and if you are a craftmans club member you can get it right now for $160. It's a really nice jack.

spike_africa · 04-20-2008, 06:27 PM

Search around there is a company who sells nice full light aluminum ones for like $110.

nightzx · 04-20-2008, 07:30 PM

I have a napa jack. Seen it on the floor when i went to pick up some parts. I think it was like 130. its pretty low but it goes high enough to get my jacks under the car at their highest point. My car is pretty low. It rubs when i put it under the front just on that little plastic fender thing but thats it.

Zaff03GT · 04-20-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightzx

I have a napa jack. Seen it on the floor when i went to pick up some parts. I think it was like 130. its pretty low but it goes high enough to get my jacks under the car at their highest point. My car is pretty low. It rubs when i put it under the front just on that little plastic fender thing but thats it.

the napa jack just barley fits under my car too

Steeda97 · 04-20-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01FR500

Do you know what the min. and max. lift on it is? It's probably steel isn't it? I need a new jack too by-the-way lol.

5-1/2" to 15"

herndy_1 · 04-26-2008, 05:43 PM

I have heard good things about this Omega jack. It is not cheap though, and only 2 tons.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200329613.htm

I have however heard bad things about Northern Tool.

01FR500 · 04-26-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herndy_1

I have heard good things about this Omega jack. It is not cheap though, and only 2 tons.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200329613.htm

I have however heard bad things about Northern Tool.

I'm sure that is a really good jack. It's super low and has a high lift max. But yeah it's not cheap for being only a two ton jack. Probably cheaper alternatives that fit your needs.

How important is the tonage rating on a jack? I would think that a two ton jack would be plenty for a Mustang since ours doesn't even weigh that much total. Ofcourse I reaslize that the higher the better/safer. But if the jack is built with good quality, it shouldn't take a crap on you for jacking up less than it's rated weight right? Is there a rule of thumb that you should get a ton more than what you are going to use it for or anything?

herndy_1 · 04-27-2008, 12:35 AM

Some jacks have like a relief valve thing that won't allow them to exceed their max rating. I think where you run into trouble on the weight capacity ratings is if you get a jack that does not have this protection and you lift something close to its capacity. Otherwise, you should probably be fine.

04-16-2008, 08:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
herndy_1 Red Six Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 559	Floor Jacks I am currently shopping around for a decent floor jack, but I have no idea what brands are reliable. I am looking for something around 3.5 tons with the low profile design that most importantly won't spill its fluid after 6 months of use. I have heard good things about Hein-Werner, but I have yet to find one with the low-profile design. Also, I haven't found much from them for under $300. I did run across this, but have never heard of the manufacturer before. http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200345429.htm Any expert advice? __________________

04-16-2008, 08:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
zigzagg321 yup. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: OH Posts: 6,566	That one looks like it should work fine. I guess thats "expert" advice considering my profession. haha. __________________ image courtesy of wnracing /\/\FOR SALE/\/\

04-16-2008, 09:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
SxyXc Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 674	we have a very nice craftsman aluminum floor jack that is really nice.. its light, dependable, strong, and it goes up to the spot you need it fast, still like normal for jacking... but we love it for our race cars... don't know price or anything. but its a craftsman aluminum, easy to carry because of handles... like this one (but ours has a 3 1/2 tons capacity if i remember correctly..) http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment we also have one like this but the bad thing is that its very heavy... very.. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment __________________ Racing from a roll is just like masturbating, no matter how good you think you are, it is still not the real thing! PARTS FOR SALE: PI cams off 03 gt PI intake off 04 gt 99 Cobra rims (no tires) 6 OEM 97 gt rims (no tires) Last edited by SxyXc : 04-16-2008 at 09:42 PM.

04-17-2008, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
01FR500 Cones Beware Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texarkana, TX/Conway, AR Posts: 645	You might want to check out Harbor Freight. They have a pretty big selection of jacks, alot of different alum. low profile jacks. A 3.5 ton alum. jack might be a little difficult to find for <$300. __________________ 2003 GT H&R SuperSports l Tokico Illumina dampers l Maximum Motorsports c/c plates l MM XL SFCs l JLT RAI l MGW shifter l other goodies...

04-17-2008, 02:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
herndy_1 Red Six Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 559	Yeah, I have pretty much heard nothing but bad things about jacks from Sears. I am definitely not opposed to spending 300 because I really just want something that is reliable, and I really don't need an aluminum one. I will check out OTC if I can find them, and Harbor Freight. Thanks. __________________

04-17-2008, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
bassman97 blank Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,349	OTC, especially their old US made jacks that just got discontinued, which can be had for a decent price. Whatever you do, don't go w/ the cheaper stuff from Sears. Their more expensive stuff are good but their 2-1/4 ton jack I go from them BLOWS. Leaked after the first couple of uses and the 2-1/4 ton stands that came w/ it started to buckle, after only a year of use. As for Harbor Freight, I've heard good things, as well as Snap On. Just remember, this is NOT the place to skimp on cash.

04-17-2008, 02:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
PureStang WE ARE PENNSTATE Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Downingtown/West Chester, PA Posts: 4,651	i got a Craftsman hydrolic jack and 2 jack stands on sale from sears for $59.99 about 2 years ago....havent failed me to this day and i use them a lot...i just wish they wend up higher sometimes. __________________ Brandon J My Ride sig by purestang

04-17-2008, 04:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
01FR500 Cones Beware Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texarkana, TX/Conway, AR Posts: 645	I got pretty scared once when I was changing a tire w/o a jackstand and the jack started to leak w/o a rim on the hub, had to get a new rim on there quick. It was a friend's cheap jack so no worries lol. __________________ 2003 GT H&R SuperSports l Tokico Illumina dampers l Maximum Motorsports c/c plates l MM XL SFCs l JLT RAI l MGW shifter l other goodies...

04-20-2008, 12:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
bossman302 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 171	I was in the market for a new jack as well. I just went to Sears and picked up there aluminum jack and if you are a craftmans club member you can get it right now for $160. It's a really nice jack. __________________ Mineral gray 2002 Mustang GT manual 5 speed. Maximum Motor sport suspension. Forge 4.6 with VT stg 2 cams. BBK 75mm tb and LT's. JLT RAI. 290 HP and 308 tq at the wheels.

04-20-2008, 06:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,892	Search around there is a company who sells nice full light aluminum ones for like $110. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

04-20-2008, 07:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
nightzx Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 28	I have a napa jack. Seen it on the floor when i went to pick up some parts. I think it was like 130. its pretty low but it goes high enough to get my jacks under the car at their highest point. My car is pretty low. It rubs when i put it under the front just on that little plastic fender thing but thats it. __________________ 2001 Mustang Cobra too many mods to list.....451hp 408tq at the wheels SOLD 2002 Yellow Mustang GT K&N Cold Air Intake, BBK 70mm Throttle Body, FRPP 3.73 gears, SLP X-pipe(no cats on atm), MAC 2.5" catback, XCAL 2 tune. Best time: 1/8th - 8.92 @ 79.92 2.1 60' 1974 Chevy Nova Built 350 11.5 to 1 compression- 202 camelback heads, 511 Isky cam, P Jackson Gear Drive, Hooker Longtubes, 3.73 posi rear end. Built Turbo 350 with 2500 stall .

04-26-2008, 05:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
herndy_1 Red Six Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 559	I have heard good things about this Omega jack. It is not cheap though, and only 2 tons. http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200329613.htm I have however heard bad things about Northern Tool. __________________

04-27-2008, 12:35 AM	#21 (permalink)
herndy_1 Red Six Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 559	Some jacks have like a relief valve thing that won't allow them to exceed their max rating. I think where you run into trouble on the weight capacity ratings is if you get a jack that does not have this protection and you lift something close to its capacity. Otherwise, you should probably be fine. __________________

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