New floor jack?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Dover Oh
New floor jack?
As we all know, it's a bit of a challenge to get the front of the Corvette up in the air. I have a Lincoln floor jack (USA version 
) and it works (fron the side) but not without touching the rockers a little. 
I've been looking at those cheap aluminum jacks Harbor Freight has been pushing. They look neat and just may be the answer if the saddle height is low enough. Does any one have the cheap aluminum or perhaps the expensive aluminum jack and has had good success with stuffing under your C4?
) and it works (fron the side) but not without touching the rockers a little. I've been looking at those cheap aluminum jacks Harbor Freight has been pushing. They look neat and just may be the answer if the saddle height is low enough. Does any one have the cheap aluminum or perhaps the expensive aluminum jack and has had good success with stuffing under your C4?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I've seen those Harbor Freight jacks and you know the old saying, "You get what you pay for"?
Well, it's true, I've seen two of those jascks up close and they don't compare to my Crafstman jack and NAPA even sells one.
The NAPA jack was around $100-140 and the Craftsman cost me $200(but I got a few discounts and the final cost was around $175).
Here's the 1.5 ton(I bought the 2 ton)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00950240000
I couldn't find the 2 ton one on line.
Well, it's true, I've seen two of those jascks up close and they don't compare to my Crafstman jack and NAPA even sells one.
The NAPA jack was around $100-140 and the Craftsman cost me $200(but I got a few discounts and the final cost was around $175).
Here's the 1.5 ton(I bought the 2 ton)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00950240000
I couldn't find the 2 ton one on line.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I have an AC Hydraulic jack. Made in Denmark. It's is SERIOUS.
I have the DK13HLQ. It is low, low, low... and will reach under the front to lift the car from the k-beam.
This link is from their UK subsidary - http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/division_uk.htm
It ain't cheap... but the best damned jack I have ever used.
I have the DK13HLQ. It is low, low, low... and will reach under the front to lift the car from the k-beam.
This link is from their UK subsidary - http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/division_uk.htm
It ain't cheap... but the best damned jack I have ever used.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
I have one from HF. It is the Aluminum racing jack. 3000lbs lift. Handy for autocrossing since it is fairly light, about 35lbs. I can get it under my C4 from any angle. The saddle height is low enough. I got the $150 one. So far after a year I have no complaints and it doesn't appear to be junk. I use it at home all the time.
Granted they do sell a lot of cheap stuff that is questionable quality. For example they have a $20 1/2 drive torque wrench. On sale for $10 now. Great for tightening the lug nuts up when I swap wheels around at home or autox. Probably have to replace it after a couple of years. But the very high quality ones at Sears are 3-10 times the cost. The rest of my tools are all Craftsman so I'm not a cheapskate all the time
Graham
Granted they do sell a lot of cheap stuff that is questionable quality. For example they have a $20 1/2 drive torque wrench. On sale for $10 now. Great for tightening the lug nuts up when I swap wheels around at home or autox. Probably have to replace it after a couple of years. But the very high quality ones at Sears are 3-10 times the cost. The rest of my tools are all Craftsman so I'm not a cheapskate all the time
Graham
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Dover Oh
I was watching American Hotrod and I noticed Boyd's guys using a nice aluminum jack. I paused the show (thank you Tivo) and wrote down the name "Litening". I did a search and those things are pricy 
:
http://www.performancebodies.com/200...cks/jacks.html
Does anyone know anything about them? I'd be willing to invest in one IF I knew it would slide under the Corvette easier than my Lincoln. On the other hand, the 2x6 suggestion sounds much cheaper.
:http://www.performancebodies.com/200...cks/jacks.html
Does anyone know anything about them? I'd be willing to invest in one IF I knew it would slide under the Corvette easier than my Lincoln. On the other hand, the 2x6 suggestion sounds much cheaper.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 18
From: Panhandle FL
My local walmart just started carrying aluminum floorjacks. The look cool and at $75 it's one of the most expensive tools they carry. I'm not saying its any good, but you might want to take a look. :o
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by bogus
I have an AC Hydraulic jack. Made in Denmark. It's is SERIOUS.
I have the DK13HLQ. It is low, low, low... and will reach under the front to lift the car from the k-beam.
This link is from their UK subsidary - http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/division_uk.htm
It ain't cheap... but the best damned jack I have ever used.
I have the DK13HLQ. It is low, low, low... and will reach under the front to lift the car from the k-beam.
This link is from their UK subsidary - http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/division_uk.htm
It ain't cheap... but the best damned jack I have ever used.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Redmond Wa
Originally Posted by dwestsr
One trick I've learned is to drive the car onto a 2x6board under each of the front wheels to give the needed clearance for my jack. That way almost any kind of floor jack will do.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by comp
looks Nice
the down height is 3.5", max lift, 31".
It is heavy and expensive, no question, but it is well worth it.
I bought the jack and 2 stands for $800.00.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
I have one of those aluminum racing jacks from harbor freight and I like it so far. I also had problems with contacting just the frame rails and nor the fiberglass lip, so I fashioned a sort of saddle out of C-channel for the fraame rail to set in. The C-channel now makes contact with the jack saddle, and it seems to work well.
I'd post pics if I knew how.
I'd post pics if I knew how.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Naples Fl
I use the 2x6 trick and can easily get my Lincoln Jack under the rocker, The old man told me of a buddy trapped under a car for seveal hours due to a cement block used as a jack stand collapsing. I figure one cheap jack or jack stand can ruin your weekend or worse.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Decatur Al
I have a 3.5 ton Arcan "UltraLow" floor jack that I bought at Costco for less than $90. The saddle sits at 3" and lifts to 21". It seems to be extremely sturdy and very well constructed.
(Pretty car, RWS!)
(Pretty car, RWS!)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
Got the 2 ton aluminum jack form Sears, slides right under the nose of the car no problem, even without boards, just pushes the spoiler up a little. Rockers clear fine. Handles on it make it real easy to move around under the car, and it's light enough to carry between my garages. Best jack I've ever used, got it on sale for $128 after multiple discounts.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Costco sells an Alltrade aluminum jack for $119 which is apparently the same version as the red/silver one that Shuck's (Kragen) carries. 2 ton capacity and about 45lbs weight with a 2-piece handle. The Shuck's jack was on sale last week for $99.
The small HF aluminum jack would be great for taking to autocross or track days, but it only has a 15" lift which is OK for tire changing. Their larger jack also has a 3000lb capacity but you get 2 extra inches in lift. HF always has sales going so the larger jack for $99 would be a good deal if the 3000lb capacity is enough.
The small HF aluminum jack would be great for taking to autocross or track days, but it only has a 15" lift which is OK for tire changing. Their larger jack also has a 3000lb capacity but you get 2 extra inches in lift. HF always has sales going so the larger jack for $99 would be a good deal if the 3000lb capacity is enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I've seen those Harbor Freight jacks and you know the old saying, "You get what you pay for"?
Well, it's true, I've seen two of those jascks up close and they don't compare to my Crafstman jack and NAPA even sells one.
The NAPA jack was around $100-140 and the Craftsman cost me $200(but I got a few discounts and the final cost was around $175).
Here's the 1.5 ton(I bought the 2 ton)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00950240000
I couldn't find the 2 ton one on line.
Well, it's true, I've seen two of those jascks up close and they don't compare to my Crafstman jack and NAPA even sells one.
The NAPA jack was around $100-140 and the Craftsman cost me $200(but I got a few discounts and the final cost was around $175).
Here's the 1.5 ton(I bought the 2 ton)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00950240000
I couldn't find the 2 ton one on line.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...do?itemid=2672
I got the aluminum racing jack from HF as well, just bought it the other day and am very impressed, it is by no means a piece of crap, much better than the smaller sears jack i have been using for years, and much lighter too
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I bought this Michelin one at Sams Wholesale ( basically wal-mart wholesale) for under $70. It's not aluminum and it's about as heavy duty as they come (3-1/2 ton) It's the same one used in Michelin tire stores. I cant believe it was so cheap. I was in there yesterday and they still had some.
