All this talk about jacks...
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
All this talk about jacks...
So, I'm in search of a new floor jack. I have a big one, but it's a big piece of crap I don't feel safe under. It's out of commission now that I saw it drooping the other day, and my Bronco slowly crept earth-ward. I have jack-stands...5 ton ones actually. I also have ramps for my Nissan, and it's own little scissor jack for flats...but now, no floor jack.
So, I still have a Bronco, and some other cars that are not going on these ramps, and won't be seeing this floor jack anytime soon.
Where should I look? Particular bands? Particular capacities? (heaviest truck is Bronco, or Tahoe). How about prices? Price is no object to me and my chest and kneecaps, but maybe a reliable one that is still cheap would be a nice option?
And for the sake of making it an all around type of thread...
is there general maintanence involved? How about proper ways to use and treat it to prolong it's life?
So, I still have a Bronco, and some other cars that are not going on these ramps, and won't be seeing this floor jack anytime soon.
Where should I look? Particular bands? Particular capacities? (heaviest truck is Bronco, or Tahoe). How about prices? Price is no object to me and my chest and kneecaps, but maybe a reliable one that is still cheap would be a nice option?
And for the sake of making it an all around type of thread...
is there general maintanence involved? How about proper ways to use and treat it to prolong it's life?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 28
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From: Colorado
I picked up a nice unit at the local Sam's club. Not overly expensive, it has performed very well for me. It had 2 shoes for it, the standard dish and a 4" tall one for extra reach under the truck. Please don't get under any vehicle supported by only a jack.
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
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From: "Islander"
Check into a jack rebuilder service as they may have a Hein Warner 1 1/2 ton model WS commercial grade made in USA. I paid $166.50 out the door for one 5 years ago, it had its first rebuild since new, needed ram and valve seals. It lifts a 68 CS completely up front where "cheapo" jacks have bent apart. Buy quality once and you'll have a lifetime tool not a bunch of failed replacements.
Do use jack stands.
.....=o&o>.....
Do use jack stands.
.....=o&o>.....
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
Buy quality once and you'll have a lifetime tool not a bunch of failed replacements.
Do use jack stands.
.....=o&o>.....
Do use jack stands.
.....=o&o>.....
Someone mentioned Harbor Frieght to me once before...I assume the jacks are working well?
I'm basically going for a jack that I shouldn't have to question the integrity of.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 258
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From: Black Hills South Dakota
My cheapie 1.5 ton has a lift limit, which is not that hard to find, but I've never had it not lock properly. It struggles to lift the F-150's full front, so I do one side at a time. I use jackstands, plus leave the jack under there with some tension on it.
It'c chief drawback is the pressure release is a separate deal, you have to remove the handle to turn it. I am always trying to turn the handle while it's in the lift position, like a good jack does.
-Smoky
It'c chief drawback is the pressure release is a separate deal, you have to remove the handle to turn it. I am always trying to turn the handle while it's in the lift position, like a good jack does.
-Smoky
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"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
I like to have 2 jacks on hand in addition to a floor jack - a 5 ton and a 20 ton bottle jack. Amazing how handy they can be.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
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From: Georgia
Getting a new jack is a good idea. I wouldn't be too quick to throw the old one away though. I would try replacing the seals and refilling with jack oil. Sometimes having an extra jack around is great.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
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From: Georgia
http://www.blackhawkparts.com/generic45.html This page will tell you about the maintenance of a floor jack and also has a troubleshooting guide. They sell repair kits too but there minimum is 15 bucks and alot of jacks use common orings that you can get cheaply at napa.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Reasonable home use, I've picked up a couple at Sam's club. For a made in America and heavy duty, look at OTC at thetoolwarehouse.net. A Bronco or any suv and you might look at a bigger and/or longer jack. The downside is they don't go as low as a regular jack. My home one has around 4" of clearance, while the shops is around 3".
Look for a universal joint, not a spider gear, how well does it roll. When you buy it, test it that day, make sure it works. I picked one up for a friend (retired mechanic) and he didn't use his till he was on the road and had a vehicle failure. Anytime he needed something he used the rack at the shop, and got complacent.
Look for a universal joint, not a spider gear, how well does it roll. When you buy it, test it that day, make sure it works. I picked one up for a friend (retired mechanic) and he didn't use his till he was on the road and had a vehicle failure. Anytime he needed something he used the rack at the shop, and got complacent.
Last edited by CheapRanger; Oct 7, 2005 at 10:31 AM. Reason: clarification
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: charlotte, nc
Speaking of jacks and loads that are too much for them, i got a semi-flat tire out on the road, but i was nowhere near my house. thankfully one of my good friends house was right there, ready for me to pull into to change the tire(i amm wary to change a tire in the street in this city of mine, too may stupid people). so i go down behind his house where he has a little garage thing, and ask him for a jack. he produces a 2.5 ton hydraulic jack, plus some jack stands. im like ok, cool. i procede to jack up the front passenger side of my '80 f-250 with it, cautios to the sounds, load limit being put on the jack. right when i get to about where i need the truck, i hear this loud "crack"!!!. the jack has broken right at the point where it would be lifting my truck up. thankfully it did not break after we had lifted it up, even with jackstands i feel that could have been bad.
Point being, make sure your jack is strong enough and that your truck is light enough. Dont buy cheap greatneck or harbour frieght/chicago tools.
Point being, make sure your jack is strong enough and that your truck is light enough. Dont buy cheap greatneck or harbour frieght/chicago tools.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 153
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I picked this SNAP ON up over 10 years ago and have used it extensively for my old '71 Vette, and now my Crown Vic, and F-250 diesel.
Never had a problem with it and would never trust my life with a POS from china. JMO
Never had a problem with it and would never trust my life with a POS from china. JMO
Last edited by Hangfire; Oct 9, 2005 at 11:52 PM.