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?

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Cheap jack =

 

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.

 

haha, that's nice.

 

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.

 

Cheap jack or no jack stand = (restatement)

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

5-1/2" to 15"

 

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?

 

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.