I just threw the piece o crap miniature MVP floor jack that I have been using out of the garage and had to use the Grand Prix's own jack to get it off the stands. So, I am currently in the market for a good floor jack.
Before I left CA, I stored at my 'rents' house my Heim-Warner 5-ton jack that I was using (and that someone had been using since the 60s smile.gif ) If I could have that shipped here, it would probably be pretty cool, but yeah, right. Shipping one of those would probably cost more than a Snap-On tool chest.

I've been looking at different ones, and can't seem to decide. I know I don't want quick-lift. I don't need it. I prefer to take my time positioning. Low profile is a plus. Large jacking pad is a must. It's gotta be somewhat like a REAL floor jack, not a stupid stinkin useless piece of junk crap for the "home mechanic" like they sell at the various local auto stores.

Anyways, what are you guys using, what have you had to throw out the door in frustration?

Thanks

K

Started with a Craftsman 2 1/2 ton 20 years ago, and have never had to throw anything out because of it. Although it is getting a bit old now....

I have a Craftsman 3 ton . It has a 5 in. pad and drops to about 6 in. height. I bought it for $80.00 with 2 iron jack stands. It is a much better set than I had expected. I also used to use those 2 ton junk jacks from the el cheapo store.

I hate my floor jack, but I'm too cheap to get a real one as long as it works. It leaks a bunch of fluid every time I use it so I have it with two wheels on a cookie sheet and the other two wheels free to move while jacking. I need to call Summit and get one of those nifty drain plugs for the cookie sheet...maybe even a NOS sticker for the jack. I think it used to be Patter's jack.

Just got a Walker 5ton floor jack yesterday FREE.
The guy who had it thought the seals were shot and put it in the garage sale. His wife loaded it and after I got it home the universal joint to open and close the valve is not connected. Clean this thing up and maybe sellthe piece of crap 2ton for $25 at the garage sale. This is all due to KARMA, when SCUM stick you with a bill for lunch you get a free jack. :D graemlins/hurray.gif

Well, I did find this...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2418592631&category=42614

If any of you ebay fiends are looking for a bumper jack smile.gif

I guess I should have put "ebay" or a rant in the subject line....

Have 2 here. One is a 3 ton Allied that we found at Sam's Club. The other is a 3 ton Craftsman. Both came with a pair of stands. Both have 5 inch pads. Both cost around $100.

Of the two, the Allied has had more use and has worked better. The first Craftsman had a hydraulic leak somewhere and had to be returned. They replaced it with no questions asked, after about 8 months, with the receipt.

We've been using a foot long piece of 2X4 double wrapped in an old T shirt to sit on the pads. Protects the frame from scratches and also expands the lifting surface. Works great!

Good luck with your search!

Andy

I have a 3-1/2 ton Craftsman that I really like. It has the "one stroke" feature (one stroke raises it to the load).

I also have 4 pair of jackstands and three el-cheapo floorjacks.

The little cheap ones come in handy in hoisting and leveling a rearend, a transmission, or whatever. It's much easier than fighting things with a pry-bar or something.

I also have the 3 and a half ton craftsman. I really like the one pump thing, but the only complaint is that it is not as easy to jack a car up than some other jacks. It gets tiring. Another plus is that its black with the racing yellow color too. :cool:

Rob.

I have got the 3 1/2 ton Craftsman as already has been mentioned by some. Basically, it works great, but has two drawbacks: First, it's a bit to tall to get under the front end crossmember (-69 with stock suspension and 14" tires), so I always have to grab the bumper and pull it up about 1/2 - 1" or so. No big deal, but annoying sometimes, especially when your'e sore after a hard day in the garage. Second, sometimes it's difficult to open the valve slowly, so I have actually "dropped" the car a couple of times. I think I'm going to weld a big nut to the end of the handle so I can put a wrench on it for better control. If I were to buy another one, I would probably try to find a really low race jack. Would be neat to be able to stick it under a control arm and jack the wheel up without having to raise the whole car all the way up until the suspension bottoms out. Don't know if they make them that low though.

I just got a flyer from Harbor freight. THey have a 2-1/4Ton in there for 50 bucks. Seems too good to be true, so it probably is smile.gif
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4172
I have been looking at the 2-1/2 Ton long frame jack because I like to have the longer reach.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42820

Anybody got either one of these,or used them?

K

I bought one of those Harbor freight jacks at a swap meet about 12 years ago.
It still works great,never leaks and always lifts the load.
Pay 300 for a alum low profile "racing style" jack NEVER If this one ever gives out I'll go get another from H.F.
Oh yes I use this jack every week Its been stored outside, inside,under a car(with load)In SLC and here in Phx

I've been thinking of this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40105

A buddy has one and it seems to work just fine. Fairly lightweight too.

That one is pretty cool too, but I don't really like the idea of the single roller in the front. I don't know why, maybe it just looks funny. Maybe it's the smaller spread across the front vs. having wheels on the outside.

If'n I was to win the lottery, I'd have to go with this one...
Carbon fiber jack (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/product.ASP?wc=true&strBase_List=&hilt=&source=2191&base_no=91082353&str_base_no=000-CATALOG+RACE,000-CATALOG+STREET,91081103,91081105,91081108,91082352 ,91082353,91082355,&header_title=-Jacks&page_name=prod_list_display&search_type=L2~238&search_option=&deptsearch=&dept_id=L2~238&dept_id_p=&dept_name=&dept_name_p=&ShowImages=yes&sq=0&cont=1&intPgNo=1&redirect=)

THAT one is trick. "Hey, come check out my plastic jack!" :D

I bought the Harbor Freight aluminum jack and really like it. I am bringing it in the pickup to CB 03 just in case I have a flat on the trailer or truck. It is like a NASCAR jack and has a quick rise with a couple of strokes. It is a lot lighter to move around than my 20 year old Craftsman but it still works great too! smile.gif

Originally posted by daveseitz:
This is all due to KARMA, when SCUM stick you with a bill for lunch you get a free jack. :D graemlins/hurray.gif You can thank me later ;)