Floor Jack suggestions
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Joined: Jun 2020
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Floor Jack suggestions
Hi, I have an 02 Convertible. I need to buy a floor jack to R/R the tires. What is the height minimum when the jack is fully lowered to get so it fits under the car?
Any brand preference. Thank you for your help. Frank
Any brand preference. Thank you for your help. Frank
.
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Oregon
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Buy yourself an early christmas present and get a Quickjack
https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tl/
https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tl/
Racer
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Basehor, KS
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: WI
Depends if you're going in from the side or front/back.
I have 4.5" on the sides with jacking pucks in. From the front, I don't even think there's a jack low enough, you'll need to drive onto ramps or wood etc. In that case the clearance you need depends on what you've driven onto.
I believe low profile jacks are 3.25" and they'll be your best bet.
I have 4.5" on the sides with jacking pucks in. From the front, I don't even think there's a jack low enough, you'll need to drive onto ramps or wood etc. In that case the clearance you need depends on what you've driven onto.
I believe low profile jacks are 3.25" and they'll be your best bet.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 485
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From: Basehor, KS
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Buy yourself an early christmas present and get a Quickjack
https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tl/
https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tl/
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: South Hill Wa
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I tell people all the time of your are going to set them up, and then use them, and then put them away every time, you will probably end up hating them in the long run.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
I use a conventional jack, with a C5 lift pad insert like this:
It replaces the removable metal pad on a regular jack. It goes up into the frame slot, so there's no chance of slipping off the jack or similar. For the front, I drive onto a piece of 2x8 board to get clearance (car is dropped on OEM bolts). I also have one of the low profile Harbor Freight jacks - very useful and very cheap when on sale.
It replaces the removable metal pad on a regular jack. It goes up into the frame slot, so there's no chance of slipping off the jack or similar. For the front, I drive onto a piece of 2x8 board to get clearance (car is dropped on OEM bolts). I also have one of the low profile Harbor Freight jacks - very useful and very cheap when on sale.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Somewhere, Florida
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Any of the Harbor Freight aluminum jacks will do the job. I have the 3 ton and it fits under my lowered C5 with ease with enough height to place stands, too.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Orlando Florida
Similar to others here, I run the Harbor Freight low profile aluminum floor jacks, but I tend to use them in pairs to limit how much twist I put to the frame. I know the frame is stiff and such, but I just would rather to lift either one end or one side at a time:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ack-64545.html
I've used both the generic aluminum twist lock jacking pads and the fixed in place aluminum pads -- I really like the fixed aluminum pads now that I've used them. If I need both ends of the car in the air at the same time, I rent time on a twin post lift at a local DIY garage.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ack-64545.html
I've used both the generic aluminum twist lock jacking pads and the fixed in place aluminum pads -- I really like the fixed aluminum pads now that I've used them. If I need both ends of the car in the air at the same time, I rent time on a twin post lift at a local DIY garage.
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I bought an aluminum racing jack made by Pittsburgh Automotive from my local Harbor Freight. Has worked very well and easily fits under the sides of the C5.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Redondo Beach CA
One of the critical considerations is the amount of lift, some floor jacks barely manage a functional working distance . I also went to a close by harbor freight for a floor jack, they had a selection on display from which to choose, and I selected the low profile steel jack, the front was thin and the lift was the highest they sold. Most auto parts stores had only one jack, usually with a short lifting arm, for sale.
I use simple DIY wooden ramps to raise my lowered car enough to get the jack underneath.
While I appreciated having a selection on display to make shopping easier , now that I know the merchandise better I would have gotten a set , with matching jack and jack stands. my mismatched stuff works fine, but looks very shade tree mechanic . Although that is the true situation, I try to avoid a handyman mindset.
I use simple DIY wooden ramps to raise my lowered car enough to get the jack underneath.
While I appreciated having a selection on display to make shopping easier , now that I know the merchandise better I would have gotten a set , with matching jack and jack stands. my mismatched stuff works fine, but looks very shade tree mechanic . Although that is the true situation, I try to avoid a handyman mindset.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 289
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From: Texas
Fastest way for me is to have bought and use this super low ramp:
With the above low profile jack to get it up in the air fast. Mine is lowered a bit so no jack will fit under it without a little help from a ramp.
With the above low profile jack to get it up in the air fast. Mine is lowered a bit so no jack will fit under it without a little help from a ramp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 8,342
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From: WI
One of the critical considerations is the amount of lift, some floor jacks barely manage a functional working distance . I also went to a close by harbor freight for a floor jack, they had a selection on display from which to choose, and I selected the low profile steel jack, the front was thin and the lift was the highest they sold. Most auto parts stores had only one jack, usually with a short lifting arm, for sale.
I use simple DIY wooden ramps to raise my lowered car enough to get the jack underneath.
While I appreciated having a selection on display to make shopping easier , now that I know the merchandise better I would have gotten a set , with matching jack and jack stands. my mismatched stuff works fine, but looks very shade tree mechanic . Although that is the true situation, I try to avoid a handyman mindset.
I use simple DIY wooden ramps to raise my lowered car enough to get the jack underneath.
While I appreciated having a selection on display to make shopping easier , now that I know the merchandise better I would have gotten a set , with matching jack and jack stands. my mismatched stuff works fine, but looks very shade tree mechanic . Although that is the true situation, I try to avoid a handyman mindset.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
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From: Northville, MI
I have 2 of the $59 Harbor Freight jacks and lift both sides and pack the Jack stands. The rear only needs one Jack to raise the axle with a 2x4 in the center section. Also I have stay in place jacking plugs so no time lost trying to locate them. With two sets of tires/wheels (8), it become a 15-20 minute job to change tires.
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From: Iowa
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I have one of these plus another Harbor Freight low profile jack (not long reach). Harbor Freight almost always have jacks on sale and would wait until they do before purchasing..
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...lue-56641.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...lue-56641.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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I don’t think anything fits under the front without at least one or two boards under the tires. Do you want some plans for an axel cradle and wood ramps?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: WI
I've made my own plan for ramps, but I would like exact measurements on cradles or whatever people use on things like rear cross member, and hear about how people use jack stands after jacking front or rear up.