Floor jack recommendation

[996GT2]

I'm planning on doing my brakes and some suspension parts later this year, so I'm looking into getting a decent floor jack. The jack stands/wheel chokes are only about $25, so the jack is by far the most expensive part of the equation.

Are there any decent jacks that are still relatively inexpensive? Costco had some for around $80-100 IIRC, but I'm not sure if they're any good (or if there are any cheaper alternatives that are still decent).

I'm just going to be lifting a Honda Accord, not a pickup truck or anything like that.

Would something like this suffice? Or is this too low quality even for a normal sedan?

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...nation-ac925-t82001/9040048-P?searchTerm=jack

 

[Kelvrick]

The costco one (if you're talking about the red Arcan 3/3.5 ton jack) is going to be your best bet in that price range. I'd actually recommend harbor freight (hold the rotten vegetables) if you want to spend a little less or if the one at costco isn't that Arcan model. The model I linked below is pretty heavy duty, but you won't be bringing it around with you.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html#.UzTXf6hdVu0

20% or 25% off coupons can be had readily enough in magazines or mailings as well. Hell, I think you can print them off the internet.

Here is a 20%
http://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=lander&hftref=cj

EDIT: We have had a few jack threads here in ATG. Here is one.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2326497

 

[96Firebird]

Can't go wrong with that Pittsburgh jack from Harbor Freight. I have the same one and it hasn't let me down yet.

Kelvrick, the 20% coupon excludes floor jacks.

But $90 is a good price for it, the low profile ones are usually a bit more than the regular but it looks like all the 3 tons are on sale for $90.

 

[Kelvrick]

Can't go wrong with that Pittsburgh jack from Harbor Freight. I have the same one and it hasn't let me down yet.

Kelvrick, the 20% coupon excludes floor jacks.

But $90 is a good price for it, the low profile ones are usually a bit more than the regular but it looks like all the 3 tons are on sale for $90.

Dang, it was a sad day when they excluded tool carts and drawers. Now floor jacks, too?

 

[silicon]

I'm planning on doing my brakes and some suspension parts later this year, so I'm looking into getting a decent floor jack. The jack stands/wheel chokes are only about $25, so the jack is by far the most expensive part of the equation.

Are there any decent jacks that are still relatively inexpensive? Costco had some for around $80-100 IIRC, but I'm not sure if they're any good (or if there are any cheaper alternatives that are still decent).

I'm just going to be lifting a Honda Accord, not a pickup truck or anything like that.

Would something like this suffice? Or is this too low quality even for a normal sedan?

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...nation-ac925-t82001/9040048-P?searchTerm=jack

Buy the best jack you can afford as this is what your life is worth should the jack fail and you're underneath. Seriously if you plan to do this get some jack stands to rest the car on once it is jacked up. Never work underneath with only the jack holding it up.

 

[bruceb]

I got my 2 ton unit from Sears way back in the late 1970's and it is still working fine. Only thing you need to watch out for is how much you are lifting and if the jack is low enough to get under the car.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Buy the best jack you can afford as this is what your life is worth should the jack fail and you're underneath. Seriously if you plan to do this get some jack stands to rest the car on once it is jacked up. Never work underneath with only the jack holding it up.

I wouldn't trust the most expensive jack in the world let alone a cheap one. I never get under a vehicle unless its on jack stands and even then the jack is placed somewhere under the car almost touching the car and acting as a fail safe in case a jack stand fails.

 

[silicon]

I wouldn't trust the most expensive jack in the world let alone a cheap one. I never get under a vehicle unless its on jack stands and even then the jack is placed somewhere under the car almost touching the car and acting as a fail safe in case a jack stand fails.

your point is well taken!!

 

[JCH13]

I have this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68050.html

And a Jegs equivalent to this one (not made anymore): http://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapidpump-68054.html

For former I use all the time in my garage. Easy to wheel around, fits easily under every car I've used it on, included my lowered Miata. It lifts super high, enough to slide a transmission out of said Miata on top of a transmission jack. It's my go-to jack for pretty much everything.

The latter I take when I have to bring tools somewhere, need an extra jack, or need to get into a confined space. The aluminum construction is nice and light and I can lift up a car with half the handle disconnected.

 

[KentState]

I wouldn't trust the most expensive jack in the world let alone a cheap one. I never get under a vehicle unless its on jack stands and even then the jack is placed somewhere under the car almost touching the car and acting as a fail safe in case a jack stand fails.

That's the minimum I would do to feel safe. There has to a really good reason for me to get under a car regardless.

 

[996GT2]

I'm not really planning to get under the car much (just doing brakes and suspension stuff, mostly). But rest assured I will use stands and chocks.

That brings me to the other question...since I'm going to be using stands/chocks anyway regardless of what jack I get, would it really be any worse to buy a cheap jack (e.g. the one in that Advance Auto Parts package deal that I linked), except for the cheaper jack being less convenient?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I'm not really planning to get under the car much (just doing brakes and suspension stuff, mostly). But rest assured I will use stands and chocks.

That brings me to the other question...since I'm going to be using stands/chocks anyway regardless of what jack I get, would it really be any worse to buy a cheap jack (e.g. the one in that Advance Auto Parts package deal that I linked), except for the cheaper jack being less convenient?

I wouldn't go that cheap. You still need the jack to hold up the car while you remove or replace jack stands underneath. Would suck to remove one side and have the cheap jack leak down and who knows what happens next.

 

[JCH13]

I'm not really planning to get under the car much (just doing brakes and suspension stuff, mostly). But rest assured I will use stands and chocks.

That brings me to the other question...since I'm going to be using stands/chocks anyway regardless of what jack I get, would it really be any worse to buy a cheap jack (e.g. the one in that Advance Auto Parts package deal that I linked), except for the cheaper jack being less convenient?

Having had a cheap jack, I'd never go back for the following reasons:

-tiny wheels (and usually a lack of ball-bearings) mean that cheap jacks don't roll over anything, like tiny pebbles, and can cause the jack to try to pull a car off of jack stands while lifting
-so much pumping to lift the car... poorly fitting jack handles only made this worse
-generally higher minimum height and relatively short reach compared to a good jack
-usually you need to take the jack handle out, shut the cylinder valve, and then put the jack handle back in to pump the jack, this always annoyed me
-cheap jacks are generally narrower than good/more expensive jacks, making them less stable, laterally

 

[evident]

spend the $100 on the costco arcan xl one and be done with it. $100 is not much and you'll make it back after one brake job

 

[996GT2]

spend the $100 on the costco arcan xl one and be done with it. $100 is not much and you'll make it back after one brake job

Yeah this is probably the route I will go with. Will head down to Costco this weekend or next and see if they still have the Arcan in stock.

 

[Kaido]

spend the $100 on the costco arcan xl one and be done with it. $100 is not much and you'll make it back after one brake job

Is this the one you're talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL20-Bla.../dp/B00BMPFI6I

On a tangent, I'm looking for a good-quality floorjack that I can keep in my car. I have a huge spare wheel well that will fit a full-size spare & a real jack, but it only came with a patch kit (no tire, no jack), so I'm going the DIY route. I'm looking for something with an easy handle so I can easily change a flat tire if it ever comes to that. I've had two flats in the last year and I hate those crummy stock jacks :biggrin:

 

[thedarkwolf]

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-jack-68053-html-7814.html

I have a their steel jack and their aluminum jack. The aluminum one is a hell of a lot nicer if you want take it anywhere. The steel one will get the car higher but God help your back if you need to take it somewhere other than your own garage.

 

[fleshconsumed]

I'm pretty sure I've asked this before, but say I want to change a rotor. I need to jack up my car using floor jack and then lower it on the jack stands that will support it at the reenforced jack stand points just behind the wheel. Where do I put the floor jack to raise the car?

 

[NutBucket]

Under the front or rear jack point in the middle of the car. It's usually on a cross-member of some sort.

 

[evident]

Is this the one you're talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL20-Bla.../dp/B00BMPFI6I

On a tangent, I'm looking for a good-quality floorjack that I can keep in my car. I have a huge spare wheel well that will fit a full-size spare & a real jack, but it only came with a patch kit (no tire, no jack), so I'm going the DIY route. I'm looking for something with an easy handle so I can easily change a flat tire if it ever comes to that. I've had two flats in the last year and I hate those crummy stock jacks :biggrin:

yep that's it. it's pretty dang heavy though and takes up a decent amount of trunk space.

 

[Jimzz]

The Costco near me does not carry the big/heavy arcan anymore. They carry the arcan aluminum one. Same price but lighter.

For most DiYs probably a better fit. I still do work on the side so the larger arcan works best for me.

 

[Ksyder]

yep that's it. it's pretty dang heavy though and takes up a decent amount of trunk space.

yeah and the handle probably doesn't come off easily.

Kaido, the jack in the op probably would be a good bet for what you need if you want a floor jack for the trunk.

 

[DougoMan]

Costco has a nice Aluminum jack for like 150 sometimes. Better than anything else you can get for the money.

 

[996GT2]

Thanks guys, it looks like the Costco one is probably the best bet (or the HF one).

When using a decent jack like the Arcan, is it safe to leave the car supported by the jack? Obviously I'll have jack stands in place underneath to catch the car if the jack fails, but should I jack it and rest it on the jack stands instead of leaving the jack to support the car?

 

[someone16]

The jack is used to lift the car up. You need to use the jack stands to hold the car.