regular vs low lift jacks

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Feb 23, 2017 | 09:48 PM

LT1driver

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 6,209

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From: Texas-out west

regular vs low lift jacks

besides one will go under a very low car, are there any differences or advantages to either assuming both 3 ton steel jacks and NO i do not want aluminum prefer steel, thanks for imputs

Feb 24, 2017 | 12:17 PM

MelWff

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

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i assume you mean low profile, capable of fitting under a car with low ground clearance. I would compare the maximum lift height of the jacks you are considering and their load capacities.

Feb 24, 2017 | 12:33 PM

Mr D.

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 44,671

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From: Huntsville AL

I have the below 2 Ton Aluminum Racing Floor Jack with Rapid Pump from Harbor Freight. Great Jack so far.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-a...ump-62247.html

Feb 24, 2017 | 01:33 PM

MIKE80

Drifting

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,968

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From: East TN

I bought this Arcan for it's low profile and the height range: 2.75 inch to 24 inches.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007G83T16/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also bought a few of these rubber hockey pucks to add cushion when lifting.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BPHES8W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Feb 25, 2017 | 10:41 AM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

Aluminium is lighter and easier to move around. A 3-ton jack is still a 3-ton jack, aluminium or steel. I'd look for a jack with the highest lift but will still get under the car at its lowest point. My next jack will be aluminium.

Feb 25, 2017 | 12:15 PM

gbvette62

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 12,678

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From: Shamong, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr D.

I have the below 2 Ton Aluminum Racing Floor Jack with Rapid Pump from Harbor Freight. Great Jack so far.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-a...ump-62247.html

I have the 3 ton version of that jack, and so does the vintage racer I crew for.

We've been using his jack at the races, for about 5 years now. Every time the car comes off the track, we put the car on jack stands. If you figure we raise and lower both sides of the car, 3 or 4 times a day during the typical 3 day race weekend, it probably gets used 50-60 times at every race. We do 10 races a year, so that jack has probably lifted the race cars 2500-3000 times in the last 5 years, and it's never missed a beat!

It may be aluminum, but I don't find it to be noticeably lighter than my old steel 3 ton jack. Still, I think it's a great jack.

Feb 25, 2017 | 12:40 PM

Iceaxe

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 4,355

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From: Draper Utah

It's hard to beat the Harbour Frieght jack's when comes to what you get for your dollar, particularly if you watch for their sale coupons as their jack's are on sale at least once a month.