I need a new floor jack..little help shopping?

[Obi..]

Well, it's time I go ahead and pick up a new floor jack, and since I am promised one "techy" gift for my gift each year I figured I'd go with the standard most of my friends and family are running. The Craftsman #50188 Floor Jack and Jack-Stand combo. This way I would end up with 4 good jackstands (2 left from the old combo I have) and a jack that exceeded the minimum 2 ton spec (vehicle is around 4 tons, always exceed half the weight...).

I sent off my gift list to only find out Sears has now discontinued that setup, and I can only get a jack with a smaller plate and no jackstands, or a jack of lower spec and jackstands. The new #50188 is here: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950188000P?keyword=floor+jack and they have added a creeper I imagine because most customers have the same complaint I do here.

I would like to consider my options and see what you all are running in the garage, and for those that are also doing expedition stuff, if you like the aluminum model, since I can remove the wheels easily enough and have a nice skid plate fabbed up so it'll work most places and I'm willing to fork out the difference in the value of the gift if I end up seeing a nice MAC or SnapOn, give me choices here. I don't need a highlift, I'm good there.

So again, minimum of 2-1/2 ton spec, jack stands would be nice if it's a kit, heck, a creeper would be even better as it'll keep my back and shoulder off of cold concrete.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=floor+jack&vName=&x=0&y=0

So requirements again, 2-1/2 ton, wide plate, jackstands, maybe a creeper. More specifically, it has to be of a quality that will go through all that the one I have used most has and last 20+ years.

[corax]

I was going to suggest this one from Craftsman - I've heard good things about it, but no first-hand experience
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00950242000?hei=180&wid=180&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75

they also have a 1.5 ton version of this one for $100 less, but it has LEDs in the saddle :D

[Seanz0rz]

id avoid sears. the one we bought blew the seals after a year.

i LOVE my super long reach harbor freight i got for x-mas last year. (cant find it on their site anymore, but its like 31" of total height)

it was 150 for the jack. you can pick up stands and a creeper for about that much.

purchasing 6 or 12 ton stands will allow you to actually jack up your truck with out putting blocks under the stands.

[4x4mike]

I know it wouldn't be new and hard for someone to shop for-for you but I'd check Craigslist. An old floor jack is much better than most things you can buy now (especially kits). An older jack will be rebuildable and last much longer. Locally I've seen high dollar jacks go for under $100. There are a few threads on garagejournal forums of guys that have bought old jacks and rebuilt them and done nice work. I don't need one to look pretty I just need it to lift high enough, fast enough and hold it if I need to.

Older Snap on and Mac stuff is no doubt good. They were rebranded stuff then and are now but now most of it comes from overseas but you pay a domestic price. I've got the Michelin special that Sam's Club had about 10 years ago. It lifts to contact in one pump but I don't know the capacity or total lift off the top of my head.

[4x4mike]

Quick google search gave me this:
http://answers.canadiantire.ca/answers/9045/product/0091054P/questions.htm

This is my jack (22" 3.5 ton). It's an overseas special but it's worked well for me. I've got 4, 12 ton stands from HF and they rock. Like Sean said I'd stay away from Sears. Google chase trucks and floor jack and you'll see a lot of options out there (jacks and mounting).

[CJM]

I got the one Mike linked, and couldnt be happier-they used to carry it at sams club for like 50 bucks. So far it has lifted EVERYTHING I have ever tried, including my E250 work van with probably 2500lbs of gear in it. Oh according to the link it weighs 97lbs, IT DOES NOT-probably a good 45lbs tho.

I would look into something akin to that jack from harbor freight. The sears stuff is junk. FWIW the big red brand SUV jack and low pro jack we use in every single work truck hasnt failed, only issue is there is a clasp that grabs the piston on these kinda jacks that can come loose and fall off overtime (can be put back on). Big red may make a jack similar to the michelin iirc last i was at pepboys.

I have craftsman 3.5 ton jack stands that are pretty nice, dont think they carry them anymore. I also have a set of cheapo goodyear branded ones from wallyworld-kinda hard to screw up a jackstand unles its made of thin metal. Next set I want is a 6 or 12 ton from HF.

[slosurfer]

.... and a jack that exceeded the minimum 2 ton spec (vehicle is around 4 tons, always exceed half the weight...).


What vehicle do you have that weighs 4 tons? That's a big vehicle! :headscratch:

[CJM]

4 tons isnt much, a ton is 2000lbs, each toyota truck weighs about 4000-6000 depending on what ya got in it.

Even so the jack is only lifting a portion of that.

[slosurfer]

I know how much 4 tons is and even my Ford truck with a utility bed full of tools doesn't weigh 4 tons. That's why I was asking what he had that weighs 4 tons.

[strykersd]

I have the same one as CJM and 4x4mike. I paid $50 at Sams Club for it and I have no complaints about it.

[Obi..]

Corax..the alloy one's have the seals go out pretty quickly from what I've heard and seen.

SeanOrz..yeah I am not overly happy with the new stuff coming from Sears.

Mike, I actually had those same thoughts and am just checking my options. I can always get one from either of the local reps.

Slo..ever weighed your 4Runner? Unless the weigh station at CHP and the one going through South lake Tahoe are both wrong..

Mine is near that if loaded up on a trip. I am not going to rely on a bottle jack if we have another double flat. Too much time and drama. I like being able to throw the jack into the rubbermaid along with the tools and fix what needs to be. This past trip around the Sierras i had the double flat and a repair on a friends boat trailer happen, both would've sucked w/o 'Ole Faithful. Problem is when we got back, I let someone help me unload. He couldn't handle the weight of the box, so took out things one at a time and the jack fell from the tailgate and actually had a crack appear near the bottom of the cylinder. I've had it drained and mig'd and tig'd, both still let it leak under pressure, so it's safer to just recycle it and get a new one.

[4x4mike]

Can you replace just the cylinder on your current jack?

I've got the Michelin one and another old made in the USA jack I use. The older one is much smaller and easier to use sometimes. When I rotate tires I use both jacks and an impact and get the job done in less than 10 minutes.

[slosurfer]

Slo..ever weighed your 4Runner? Unless the weigh station at CHP and the one going through South lake Tahoe are both wrong..


No, but I guarantee it's nowhere near 4 tons (8,000 lbs.). Not saying to not a get a two ton jack (I have a 3 ton jack), only pointing out that none of your rigs weigh 8,000lbs. So, yes, if the weigh stations said that your rig weighs 4 tons, then I'm saying that they are wrong. :hillbill:

Curb weight on a 2nd gen is 3800 lbs. so yes you are probably well over 2 tons loaded, but unless you managed to double your curb weight, you aren't near 4 tons. :)

[Obi..]

Math fail again... D'Oh..OK two tons, 4000 lbs. For some reason I translated into metric's for the tonnage, 1 to 1000, my bad. :tapedshut:

Mike, nah, I am not going to bother with it anymore as the cylinder isn't worth saving. It was bought when I got my license, so it's life of 20 years has been a great investment.

Lemme see, $450/20=$22.50 a year, and that is with the value of the dollar then, so let's say I've spent less than $15/yr on it. :wrenchin:

I'm gonna go hit up HF and visit the shop that gets it's SnapOn/Mac service tomorrow and see what I can get.

[Obi..]

*Staff, ever consider getting some support for members/sponsorship via one of the tool companies?

[2ndGen]

I bought an used crapy yellow HF 3-ton jack, almost throw it away because it only goes up about 3 inches. picked up a 3.5-ton Arcan from Costco for $100, couldn't be happier with it. I think it lifts up about 20 inches. later on, i found a copy of the manual of that HF jack online, follow the instructions adding $2 worth of hydrulic fluid, now it works like a charm.

i'm good with either one.

[slosurfer]

Math fail again... D'Oh..OK two tons, 4000 lbs. For some reason I translated into metric's for the tonnage, 1 to 1000, my bad. :tapedshut:


:laugh: No worries, I knew you'd catch it sooner or later. :)

[CJM]

snapon, mac, matco, cornwell, etc will cost you 300 to500 bucks for such a jack.

I would go with HF.

[Obi..]

*Thanks CJM, I completely left out the Cornwell option. I have options some do not through acquaintances so I really would not have to worry about pricing much as we're always well taken care of with tools/etc, even getting to play with some new stuff every so often. That said, I am now finally going through and organizing my rollaway so I can finally get a decent estimate of value for our insurance as well as replace some sockets that seem to have been absconded or simply walked away or been left in some sucker's engine bay the last wrench-a-thon. (Why I hate when someone grabs a socket or tool, most don't double check that my stuff is back in it's home spot.)

I am liking what MAC and SnapOn showed me though. :D !

[slosurfer]

There's always craigslist too, sometimes you can find some really good ones that are cheap but maybe just a little dirty.

[CJM]

Shop got about a year ago a nice snap on 3 ton aluminum racing jack, its nice and I like it but I feel my cheapo sams club michelin is a bit better built since its all steel.

If you can do the payment plan andpay the tool guy like 20 bucks a week your good to go lol. I bought an entire snap on 1/2 cordless impact gun set that way.

[slomatt]

I've been using a 3.5 ton Arcan from Costco for years and have been very happy with it. It squeaks all the time, but is easy to control when lowering the car. The only bummer is that even though it is a low profile design it won't fit under my lowered WRX, but that's what ramps are for right. :)

Here's a crappy iphone picture of the beat up Arcan next to my backup jack.

http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/albums/misc/jack.jpg

- Matt