Transmission jack from Harbor Freight
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Seems the link I posted was too long, and wrapped onto the next line, causing some folks to be unable to see the jack I'm referring to. Here's an abbreviated link to the correct page:
http://tinyurl.com/292wzvu
Thanks!
Live well,
SJW
http://tinyurl.com/292wzvu
Thanks!
Live well,
SJW
The four corners thing......if you try to align that with the DNE 4x3, (I know you have a ZF, but just in case anyone reads this with a 4x3) you'll be too far back and it won't be balanced....the balance point for the 4x3 is just in front of the O/D oil pan. So, if I were to design one.....it would be a radius-ed cradle for just in front of the oil pan with a strap.
But that jack has the XY adjustment.....and you need that.....ask my Left arm.....it has been sore many times due to lifting the tail of that tranny trying to get it to line up properly and stab......the next day is always interesting for my body...
Last edited by jhammons01; Jul 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I purchased this one about 10 years ago when it sold for $50.00.
Has excellent castor's which allows you to maneuver the trans. very
easily.
It uses a threaded rod to raise and lower it. The platform tilts but
it's hard to change the angle of the platform with the trans. on it.
Two wing nuts lock it in place.
I use a 1/2 impact wrench to raise or lower it to get close to the
height needed, then use a 1/2 ratchet to get it to the final height.
http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-...ack-39178.html
Has excellent castor's which allows you to maneuver the trans. very
easily.
It uses a threaded rod to raise and lower it. The platform tilts but
it's hard to change the angle of the platform with the trans. on it.
Two wing nuts lock it in place.
I use a 1/2 impact wrench to raise or lower it to get close to the
height needed, then use a 1/2 ratchet to get it to the final height.
http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-...ack-39178.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I just bought the above trans jack for $40 on craigslist. Looks like it was never used. just dusty.
I'd go there first. You might save a few bucks.
I'd go there first. You might save a few bucks.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
I purchased this one about 10 years ago when it sold for $50.00.
Has excellent castor's which allows you to maneuver the trans. very
easily.
It uses a threaded rod to raise and lower it. The platform tilts but
it's hard to change the angle of the platform with the trans. on it.
Two wing nuts lock it in place.
I use a 1/2 impact wrench to raise or lower it to get close to the
height needed, then use a 1/2 ratchet to get it to the final height.
http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-...ack-39178.html
Has excellent castor's which allows you to maneuver the trans. very
easily.
It uses a threaded rod to raise and lower it. The platform tilts but
it's hard to change the angle of the platform with the trans. on it.
Two wing nuts lock it in place.
I use a 1/2 impact wrench to raise or lower it to get close to the
height needed, then use a 1/2 ratchet to get it to the final height.
http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-...ack-39178.html
alone. This jack earned its place in my garage. Best $75
i've spent in a long time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 2
From: California City Ca
Just remove the motor take out the front.
Ha Ha I doing a motor swap just chained up the bell housing and use the cherry picker and a floor jack on the rear.
But I have found a furniture dollly works great to put the trans on to get in or out from under the car and move around the garage.
Harbor Freight $20.00.
I used in the past some Ply Wood bolted to the Standard floor jack works yea it's getto but hey it cheep and it works.
And if needed add some 2X4 to the side of the ply wood so the trans wont slide off.
Ha Ha I doing a motor swap just chained up the bell housing and use the cherry picker and a floor jack on the rear.
But I have found a furniture dollly works great to put the trans on to get in or out from under the car and move around the garage.
Harbor Freight $20.00.
I used in the past some Ply Wood bolted to the Standard floor jack works yea it's getto but hey it cheep and it works.
And if needed add some 2X4 to the side of the ply wood so the trans wont slide off.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Hesperia California
Do you have the 800lb capacity, hydraulic unit they sell? Or the scissor-jack unit? The one I'm considering is the hydraulic. Weighs almost 80 lbs, looks pretty solid. I'm sure it's chinese, but for as seldom as I plan to use it, it looks like the best choice for use under the Kwiklift. Harbor Freight also has a low-profile, heavier-duty unit, but the cost is double, and the sucker weighs something like 145 lbs. I need to be able to stow this thing outta the way when it's not in use, and I don't want anything that big and heavy to store.
Thanks for the reply.
Live well,
SJW
Thanks for the reply.
Live well,
SJW
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,282
From: Central Maryland
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,282
From: Central Maryland
Live well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
The mass of the ZF is no small part of why I'm in the market for a tranny jack. When I was 18 years old, I'd have thought nothing of manhandling that gearbox in and out of the car. That's the way we did 'em back then. But that was a long time ago, and I'm not about to try it at my age.
Live well,
SJW
Live well,
SJW
before i got the jack I thought to my 52 year old in pretty good shape self, " I can do this 
", and after spending 20 minutes wiggly under the tranny, then having it roll off my chest onto the floor, I promptly got in the car and went and bought a jack.....even with the TKO, which I can handle at 100lbs, I still use the jack.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,282
From: Central Maryland
before i got the jack I thought to my 52 year old in pretty good shape self, " I can do this ", and after spending 20 minutes wiggly under the tranny, then having it roll off my chest onto the floor, I promptly got in the car and went and bought a jack.....even with the TKO, which I can handle at 100lbs, I still use the jack.
Live well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Yea, the way to do it when i was in high school and college was to put on two sweat shirts, push the trans under the car, crawl under the car, then put a piece of thin plywood between you and the trans, hug the trans, and roll onto your back. pick up the input shaft, and rest it on the bellhousing hole. then the trans tailshaft with a driveshaft yoke stuck in the back of it would slide up a little ways on the plywood until you got your hands on the middle of the gear box, and you bench pressed the trans into the hole.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,282
From: Central Maryland
Yea, the way to do it when i was in high school and college was to put on two sweat shirts, push the trans under the car, crawl under the car, then put a piece of thin plywood between you and the trans, hug the trans, and roll onto your back. pick up the input shaft, and rest it on the bellhousing hole. then the trans tailshaft with a driveshaft yoke stuck in the back of it would slide up a little ways on the plywood until you got your hands on the middle of the gear box, and you bench pressed the trans into the hole.
1. I was young.
2. Those were Muncies. I don't know how much they weighed, but I don't recall them being any 165 pounds.
That was then, and this is now. I try to keep myself in decent shape, but I'm not a young man anymore. It's time to buy a trans jack.
Live well,
SJW
