I have about $100 to use on a floor jack. Which one should I buy? Which jack stands should I get (about $50 to spend)? Where should I put the jack stands one I jack up the car?
These are the jack stands you want. I got 4 of them for $240. Before you say "waaaaay too expensive", if you put your car up these stands, there is no chance of them coming off.
I'd buy some cheapies and save your money for these. They will last you a lifetime.
I bought some craftsman stands about a year ago, I forget which ones, but they were not the lowest rated ones (so I guess I got 4 ton maybe). I do not feel all the confident with them, craftsman quality has definitely gone down hill. The welds on them look very sloppy and on one of them the legs aren't completely level.
My dad got two of the esco ones recently and I definitely plan on getting some soon. They just look so much more solid, well made, and stable than the craftsman ones.
I have a pair of them as well. They're like a work of art. My brother in law keeps trying to talk me into giving them to him since I have the Esco's, but I kinda like them.
The only issue is the base is a *little* small.
When I get cars up on a jack stand I push on the car as hard as I can. If it doesn't move, then I know it's good. I'm not sure I'd trust the Torin's as much as the Esco's because of the base.
Keep in mind that if you put your jack on the rubber jack pad under the doors, how will you put in the jack stands? Jacking from the center makes the most sense and eliminates the need for those adapters.
I will take a look at the HF jack. I really like their aluminum one, but it costs another $70 and its only 2 tons (but it does come with a rubber pad. The problem with all their jacks is they only have a 90 day warranty. Will they take them back if they start leaking 6 months after the purchase?[
3 ton low profile jack
URL="http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/floor-jacks/3-ton-low-profile-steel-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html?hftref=cj"]http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/floor-jacks/3-ton-low-profile-steel-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-61282.html?hftref=cj[/URL]
The HF jacks are great. You'll find the identical jacks at other places for double and triple the price. If you are going to be transporting the jack, I'd go with the 2 ton aluminum one. If not, get the steel low profile jack and keep it in your garage. Tools are generally an investment, so don't be afraid to spend a little more on a jack that will be more convenient for you to use.
And no, they won't take them back if they start leaking, but I wouldn't worry about that. Mine's been good for over a year with many uses. The number of pumps advertised on their site is a lie, but they still work great.
I have this one from HF and it's the best jack I've bought so far. The low profile and extra long nose make it an ease to jack it from the front so I can put jack stands on the sides. Any shorter jack won't be able to reach the front center jack point.
Whatever jackstands you get, it's a good idea to use your jack for extra support on a strong and balanced area of the car in addition to the jackstands. I also like to place at least one or two wheels under the car as well for extra security. Triple redundancy.
I can only add to what the others have said a few times. I picked up two 3 ton Steel HF jacks, One is the Low Profile one, one is not. the one that is not does not fit under the jack pad on the front end of my Ci unless I jack up the back a bit first, so the Low Profile is the way to go.
I had some issues getting the jack under the car as well. At first I bought their smallest low profile racing jack. That did not even come close to reaching my front center jacking point (my car does have one). I returned it and got the next size up, but it still doesn't quite reach, so I just drive up on some boards first.
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