JACK opinions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: NWI IN
JACK opinions
Ok. I was hot to trot for this aluminum racing jack SEARS has but they wanted $199.99 for it. So then I went to Pep-Boys and they had a similar one for $129.99. But then I notived it was made in china!! 
I was at SEARS last night and just for kicks took a look at that $200 jack and sure as $hit......... MADE IN CHINA WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK guys, what are your thoughts on jacks???
What ton rating do I need, opinions on jack stands are needed as well.
There are alot of $150 combos'a t sears with 3 ton jacks and jack stands in the package.
Help!!!!!!!
I was at SEARS last night and just for kicks took a look at that $200 jack and sure as $hit......... MADE IN CHINA WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK guys, what are your thoughts on jacks???
What ton rating do I need, opinions on jack stands are needed as well.
There are alot of $150 combos'a t sears with 3 ton jacks and jack stands in the package.
Help!!!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
I have a C4 and I bought a $90 aluminum jack at Harbor Freight. It's rated at 3,000 lbs. It's a fast pumper and comes down fast too. I ALWAYS use jack stands, and I don't have any problem with my cheapie jack. Plus, it's light to handle.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: South Boardman MI
I use the cheapy $50 floor jack from Sears. It's a bit high when down so I have to drive the fronts on 2X8s before I can get it under the car. It lifts fine, though. Then I use 2 or 2.5 ton jack stands on each corner. Never had an issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: Portland OR
There is a second model from Sears for $119 which is aluminum and steel. 3000lbs. I did that instead of the Harbor Freight (which I normally love!) because I know Sears has a better chance of standing behind the jack if something goes wrong.
Sure they are both made in China but one is inspected and approved by Sears and the other one isn't.
For me the little extra was worth ~$30. Especially when it's my Corvette it's sitting on.
Sure they are both made in China but one is inspected and approved by Sears and the other one isn't.
For me the little extra was worth ~$30. Especially when it's my Corvette it's sitting on.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I believe a C4 weighs approx 3700 pounds or less and its weight distribution is approx 52/48 or closer to 50/50 so any jack or stands that are 2000 pounds or more are fine.
Good luck if you think Sears or any retailer will stand behind it if it fails....
It will cost you more in legal fees to fight than you are likely to recover.
If a name brand give you comfort go for it.
Personally, I understand that I take a risk on every purcahs ei make so I check it out and make as informed a decision as I can. Lately, i have been buying a number of things at Harbor Freight
Good luck if you think Sears or any retailer will stand behind it if it fails....
It will cost you more in legal fees to fight than you are likely to recover.
If a name brand give you comfort go for it.
Personally, I understand that I take a risk on every purcahs ei make so I check it out and make as informed a decision as I can. Lately, i have been buying a number of things at Harbor Freight
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
i have two Craftsman jacks and have been working flawlessly the three years i've had them. they did only carry a one-year warranty though.
my friend bought a cheapy brand at walmart (i think it was AC Delco) - he's only had it over a year but it doesn't lower easily anymore. he has to really crank on the handle.
bogus bought a really nice floor jack recently that i'm still salivating over. it does cost a pretty penny, however.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=863382
my friend bought a cheapy brand at walmart (i think it was AC Delco) - he's only had it over a year but it doesn't lower easily anymore. he has to really crank on the handle.
bogus bought a really nice floor jack recently that i'm still salivating over. it does cost a pretty penny, however.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=863382
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I have a Sears floor jack (made in Japan at that time) and it's been bullet proof for over 20 years. It doesn't quite go under the front of the Vette but I have the homemade wooden ramps so no problem. A friend recently got a nice aluminum "racing" jack at Northern Hydraulics for $120 and it's very nice too. It DOES go under the front of our Vettes and is very light and quick to raise.
Last edited by Corvette Kid; Sep 8, 2004 at 10:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
A friend recently got a nice aluminum "racing" jack at Northern Hydraulics for $120 and it's very nice too. It DOES go under the front of our Vettes and is very light and quick to raise.
I need something that'll reach the front spring channel, and fit in there. All the racing jacks are 6" tall right where the spoiler would be... I only have about 5" of clearance there. Maybe I should hook up hydraulics on the vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
these look nice. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=63697
i cant remember the name of the long nose highlift jobbies that were discussed here a few months back.awesome but around 300 bucks.
i cant remember the name of the long nose highlift jobbies that were discussed here a few months back.awesome but around 300 bucks.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I just happen to have the Corvette Black Book sitting out and the lightest base coupe is 3,192# in 1984 and the heaviest is 3,338# in 1992.
Richard Newton advises to jack the entire side of the car from the middle of the frame rail. He does this at the race track to change over to his track tires quickly. He then places large wood blocks under the car for support. He says this is a common racer's technique. He has pics in his latest C4 book.
Richard Newton advises to jack the entire side of the car from the middle of the frame rail. He does this at the race track to change over to his track tires quickly. He then places large wood blocks under the car for support. He says this is a common racer's technique. He has pics in his latest C4 book.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
I just bought a 3 ton floor jack from Harbor Feight. It is made by Central Pneumatic (never heard of them before), but is seems to work just fine. It was on sale for $59, and is obviously more jack than I will ever need. Better to be safe than sorry when lifting your baby!