Lightweight jack
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
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From: Flagstaff Az.
Lightweight jack
Harbor Freight has their 3,000 lb. capacity lightweight aluminum jack on sale for $79.99. I've had one for over a year-no problems. Goes down to 3". number is 91039-2WWA. 
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Good price on that jack. Thanks for the info.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
...not to hijack your post, but has anyone considered using an inflatable air bag to lift their C5/Z06 instead of a hydraulic jack? Inflatable air bags are used to move air craft and boats, by firefighters to move automobiles...small, lightweight and will support much more than any Corvette weighs...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
This is what I had in mind...
Simplex Air Bag Is Handy Alternative To Standard Hydraulic or Mechanical Lifting Devices
BROADVIEW, IL, August 5, 2001 - Simplex has expanded its family of quality lift equipment to include the new Simplex MaxiForce Air Bag, an ultra-strong, inflatable Kevlar envelop equipped with a air-powered lifting device. Available in 13 models ranging in size from 6-inches x 6-inches to 36-inches x 36-inches with capacities of 1.5- to 72-tons, Simplex MaxiForce bags provide fast, safe and simple lifting solutions using the power of compressed air.
The bags are highly effective in industrial, construction and maintenance applications, such as in changing tires on off-road equipment or aircraft, shifting pipelines and other odd-shaped loads, and rerailing railroad and mining cars. Especially attractive to users is the bag's ability to excel in limited clearence lifting, where it needs less than one inch of insertion space to be set and inflated. The bag's positive grip furnishes optimal friction, so the bags can be put to use on slippery surfaces. The grip also enables two or more bags to be stacked together for added stroke.
Virtually any air source can inflate the bag: standard air cylinders, truck air brake systems, compressors, even a foot or hand pump. Less than 60 seconds is required to inflate the largest MaxiForce bag. Inflation and deflation is operator controlled by use of a safety control valve with a color-coded gauge.
BROADVIEW, IL, August 5, 2001 - Simplex has expanded its family of quality lift equipment to include the new Simplex MaxiForce Air Bag, an ultra-strong, inflatable Kevlar envelop equipped with a air-powered lifting device. Available in 13 models ranging in size from 6-inches x 6-inches to 36-inches x 36-inches with capacities of 1.5- to 72-tons, Simplex MaxiForce bags provide fast, safe and simple lifting solutions using the power of compressed air.
The bags are highly effective in industrial, construction and maintenance applications, such as in changing tires on off-road equipment or aircraft, shifting pipelines and other odd-shaped loads, and rerailing railroad and mining cars. Especially attractive to users is the bag's ability to excel in limited clearence lifting, where it needs less than one inch of insertion space to be set and inflated. The bag's positive grip furnishes optimal friction, so the bags can be put to use on slippery surfaces. The grip also enables two or more bags to be stacked together for added stroke.
Virtually any air source can inflate the bag: standard air cylinders, truck air brake systems, compressors, even a foot or hand pump. Less than 60 seconds is required to inflate the largest MaxiForce bag. Inflation and deflation is operator controlled by use of a safety control valve with a color-coded gauge.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Do an internet search on "air bag jack" and you'll come up with a bunch in the menu. Right click on the image, click properties and it'll give you the company which sells that particular bag...clue, thomasnet. I can't give the link since they're not a supporting vendor. I don't know the cost, but it can't be any worse than a quality USA hydraulic jack. I'm trying to think of a manner to lift my Z16 when it's on my BEND PAK lift. The jack bridge clearance under my stock height car to the cross members is less than 6".
Last edited by hotwheels57; Dec 16, 2006 at 09:48 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: St. Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I have the aluminum jack and love it. As for the air bag I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a cross member but would be cautious about the body panels. They may be fine because they spread the weight out I don't know.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Well, I found a source of the flat industrial use air bags...YIKES! Depending on the size and lift capacity desired, they range in price from $900-2,000.00 There are bubble shaped bags more commonly available, even on EBAY for much less. I still think the idea has merit...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Dec 19, 2006 at 12:10 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
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From: Sparks, Nevada
Hello everyone. I'm new around here. I just wanted to thank James for his tip.
After reading this thread yesterday, I went to Harbor Freight and got one on sale. Still in the box, but I did notice it says 3.5 inches.
Not a complaint, just an FYI. Looks like a good deal for me, on my new toy.
Thanks James.
After reading this thread yesterday, I went to Harbor Freight and got one on sale. Still in the box, but I did notice it says 3.5 inches.Not a complaint, just an FYI. Looks like a good deal for me, on my new toy.
Thanks James.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
harbor freight jack
I went with the $129.00 3000# Harbor Freight jack which I got on sale for $105.00. Its Larger and HEFTIER then the $79 dollar one and has handles on BOTH sides of the jack. Still Low profile. Also made HOCKY PUCK lifts using REAL hockey Pucks $2 each, and Eye bolts $.50 each. Keep em in rear stowage compartment in case I need to lift the car somewhere away from home.
BIGHANK
BIGHANK
