Hydraulic Jack Selection?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Hydraulic Jack Selection?
The local Harbor Freight store has their Rapid-Pump aluminum racing jack on sale, $160. It's 3.25 inch height, 18 inch reach, 4000 lbs. I was about to buy it, but noticed that Wal Mart has a steel jack, 3.75 inch height, 18 inch reach, 6000 lbs for $95. No doubt both jacks are made in China. Any helpful input about either? I already know that the aluminum one is lighter.... but weight is really of no significance to me (other than lifting it from the shopping cart to the car).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I bought a steel jack called the "Black Jack" from WalMart. It is a low profile, Heavy Duty, jack. It has worked fine. It is very heavy, you must roll it anywhere. I think it is 3 ton and has a handle release.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
The wally world jack has a 1/2" taller dimension on the jacking plate surface. That can be a problem especially if you have lowered the car. You won't be able to get the jack and jacking puck under the side frame rail. I use the Harbor Freight unit and it has been very reliable for 4 + years. Moving it in and out of the tool box on the trailer sometines several times a weekend, the light weight means a lot. Your use should determine the one you get.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
The local Harbor Freight store has their Rapid-Pump aluminum racing jack on sale, $160. It's 3.25 inch height, 18 inch reach, 4000 lbs. I was about to buy it, but noticed that Wal Mart has a steel jack, 3.75 inch height, 18 inch reach, 6000 lbs for $95. No doubt both jacks are made in China. Any helpful input about either? I already know that the aluminum one is lighter.... but weight is really of no significance to me (other than lifting it from the shopping cart to the car).
Just so you know though, I think I paid like $130-140 for it. But HF tends to have different prices across the nation. I saw something online for $1 and when I went into the store it was $2.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Once the jack hits my garage floor, it could be years before I have to lift it again. The Black Jack is the one I saw today. Clearance is no problem for you? Do you use it with jacking pucks on the side rails?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 2
From: Keystone, I.T.
I bought a Harbor Freight racing jack a couple of years ago, but It seems like is was a lot less than $160. It is blue and silver annodized aluminum. The light weight and low profile make it really handy on the Vette. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Harbor Freight has a cheaper aluminum racing jack, approx 3.5 inch height, but it only has a 14 inch reach. Would work fine on the frame access points (puck locations), but would it work for the center lift points (forgot what they're called) to lift the entire front or rear of the car?
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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Likes: 0
From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Bought a walmart jack several years ago (alum) for about $90.00, but think it only has a 14" lift. The lift has not been a problem as I drive up on ramps and use a 2x6 across the front member for extra support and heighth.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 648
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From: Macomb Township MI
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 2
From: Keystone, I.T.
Here is the ad copy from the Harbor Freight website. They are listing it (U. S. General #91039) for $99.99 at the moment. I think they had them on sale when I bought mine for $69 or $79.
3000 Lb. Capacity Lightweight Aluminum Racing Jack
Aluminum racing jack lifts 3000 lbs. to a maximum height of 14-3/4"
Low-profile saddle with 3" minimum height, 360° rotating rubber pad
Made out of machined, high strength, aircraft aluminum billet material
4-5/8" wide, single front roller wheel
Two piece knurled aluminum handle prevents slipping
Handle overall length: 35-1/2''; Overall dimensions: 19-3/4" L x 9-3/8" W x 8" H
Weight: 24.2 lbs.
3000 Lb. Capacity Lightweight Aluminum Racing Jack
Aluminum racing jack lifts 3000 lbs. to a maximum height of 14-3/4"
Low-profile saddle with 3" minimum height, 360° rotating rubber pad
Made out of machined, high strength, aircraft aluminum billet material
4-5/8" wide, single front roller wheel
Two piece knurled aluminum handle prevents slipping
Handle overall length: 35-1/2''; Overall dimensions: 19-3/4" L x 9-3/8" W x 8" H
Weight: 24.2 lbs.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Here is the ad copy from the Harbor Freight website. They are listing it (U. S. General #91039) for $99.99 at the moment. I think they had them on sale when I bought mine for $69 or $79.
3000 Lb. Capacity Lightweight Aluminum Racing Jack
Aluminum racing jack lifts 3000 lbs. to a maximum height of 14-3/4"
Low-profile saddle with 3" minimum height, 360° rotating rubber pad
Made out of machined, high strength, aircraft aluminum billet material
4-5/8" wide, single front roller wheel
Two piece knurled aluminum handle prevents slipping
Handle overall length: 35-1/2''; Overall dimensions: 19-3/4" L x 9-3/8" W x 8" H
Weight: 24.2 lbs.
3000 Lb. Capacity Lightweight Aluminum Racing Jack
Aluminum racing jack lifts 3000 lbs. to a maximum height of 14-3/4"
Low-profile saddle with 3" minimum height, 360° rotating rubber pad
Made out of machined, high strength, aircraft aluminum billet material
4-5/8" wide, single front roller wheel
Two piece knurled aluminum handle prevents slipping
Handle overall length: 35-1/2''; Overall dimensions: 19-3/4" L x 9-3/8" W x 8" H
Weight: 24.2 lbs.
I think the 4000 lb one goes up to like 18" or something
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
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From: Arroyo Grande CA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Machesney Park Illinois
I bought a Hein-Warner floor jack. It has a removable handle. The pad height is 3.25". It fits under my C5 and a 1" jack puck with room to spare. Jack is rated at 3000# and is all steel construction and USA made
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
The Black Jack at WalMart jacks from 3.3 inches to 17.72 inches.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Aug 9, 2009 at 11:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
It's interesting you should mention both the Walmart Black Jack and the H F 2 ton jack. I've been looking for a good jack for the last couple of months. Have noted that they almost all are made in China. I ended up buying the Walmart Black Jack but once I got it home and unboxed, decided it was not what I wanted. Much too heavy and no pad on the lift arm. Took it back and got my money back and then bought the HF two ton jack. It it much lighter and has a lower profile.
By the way, if your worried about quality, you can purchase an extended warranty for around 35 dollars for two years. I will only be using mine two or three times a year so it fits my needs perfectly. Good luck.
By the way, if your worried about quality, you can purchase an extended warranty for around 35 dollars for two years. I will only be using mine two or three times a year so it fits my needs perfectly. Good luck.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Do you think it's a good idea to check Costco even if the jack isn't listed on their website? I'm in NJ btw.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
I bought this one not long ago.. it's a bad *** jack and the wide stage on it holds up the rear end without having to use a wooden board.
My car is lowered too, by the way, and it has no problems getting underneath the car. It lifts high, fast.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-new-jack.html
My car is lowered too, by the way, and it has no problems getting underneath the car. It lifts high, fast.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-new-jack.html
Last edited by TheDingo; Dec 9, 2009 at 02:04 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
H F has two sizes of their aluminum jack,,and I've had both sizes for a long time(est 8 years) and have used them from everything from sub compacts to my F-150 Super Crew!! One thing to consider,,the have them on sale OFTEN,,PLUS many car magazines are running adds for H F and they have 15 or 20% off on 1 item. Get a sale price THEN 20% off you can get a really good deal !!They work fine,,,and a LOT less weight to lug around!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
HF has a steel low profile on sale next mo, in the mid $ 60 range. Thats the one I would get. Don't get the ex. warrenty, as with most jacks, including Sears (Esp. the alum. ones are all thow aways). Good luck.
