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What floor jack to buy?

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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 06:05 PM
  #1  
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Default What floor jack to buy?

Most of the jacks I've seen won't fit under my car... so, what's the solution. I know someone has to make a slim jack that will work with vehicle's that sit "slightly" lower than normal. Anyone have any recommendations on a brand and where to get it? Thanks in advance.
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 06:38 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

I feel your pain

I personally use a "standard" floor jack on my car.....the trick I use is to first take the "factory" jack (scissors POS), put it under the subframes (anywhere along them works) and pre-lift the car just enough that I can get my floor jack under the subframes (does not take much). Then I can lift the car with the floor jack and do whatever work I need to. When I get ready to lower the car, I slip the scissors jack back under the subframes, let the car down on it (so I can pull the floor jack out) and then lower the scissors jack.

This sounds a lot harder than it really is. It probably adds 30seconds more to my project.
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Old Aug 23, 2003 | 10:41 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

you could always try driving up onto 2x6's or something to raise your car up before ya get there
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 02:04 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

rhino ramps ($20-30 at your local auto parts store)then you can jack it up with a standard sized jack.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 02:59 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

Id go for the driving onto the pieces of wood. Either that or go to harbor freight tools and get a light weight racing jack. Have you tried jacking it up by the diffrential
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 03:09 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

I have considered the ramps and the pieces of wood, but it's a pain in the rear... A racing jack is what I'm looking for, just wondered if anyone has found one that works well. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 09:13 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

There are various lightweight aluminum floor jacks that work well.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 09:48 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

Anyone use this one? I can get it locally here.

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...egoryCode=3397
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 09:21 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

I've got a 3.5 ton floor jack I bought from Sam's club for $65. It works great. Fit's under every part of my stock ride height formula.
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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 09:21 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

Link didn't work. At any rate yes this is a PITA. Oh well, I just have a little wimpy 2ton jack that starts the process just fine on the drv rt control arm bttm. I have rhino ramps too, and on my currently slippery garage floor they slide around alot. I do plan on refinsishing the floor to use the rhinos.
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 12:03 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

http://www.asedeals.com/hydraulicjacks2.html


I have the jack on there called the DK-20. I LOVE IT it's great and works awesome. Was well worth the money if you ask me. It is only 3.1 inches at minimum and fits under the car great


Will
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 07:56 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

I use the one from sears. it look slike the type they use for NASCAR. it sets real low and lifts the car 20+ inches. makes it real easy to get onto jack stands

JR
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 10:17 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

That DK20 looks good, and the cost is what I'd expect for a real nice jack. I will also go check out sears for their low profile jack and see what the height is on it. Sometimes having 4" of clearance is a real PITA!

Will - Do you have the quick lift pedal to go with it? If so, how do you like that? TIA.
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 12:50 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

4mulajoe, I've got the same jack. works VERY well. $65 is cheap for what u get, plus every city has a Sams. It's not hard to miss it's bright blue and has the Stay puff dude on it!!! but I agree with some others, just drive up on some wood or use some rhino ramps.

Glad to see u joind KSFBA Toonz
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 02:11 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

No I didn't get the quick lift pedal on it. It would probably be a nice feature to have but I figured that with that there was just more parts to break or fail so I opted against it. I do regret not getting the other jack on that page the DK13HLQ which is basically the same except it stays at 3.1 inches for 16 inches whereas the DK20 doesn't stay at 3.1 inches that long so it's not quite as easy to get under certain areas. I've had the jack for almost a year now and used it ALOT and it works just as well as when I first got it (albeit a few nicks and scratches on it from use)


Will
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 07:28 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

I use the one from sears. it look slike the type they use for NASCAR. it sets real low and lifts the car 20+ inches. makes it real easy to get onto jack stands

JR
What is the Sears model number for this jack...?
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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 03:18 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

Personally I would not trust those little aluminum racing jacks for heavy duty or frequent use. Yah they are probably good for carting around to the track to change tires etc...but I have heard of numerous of them breaking under load. I mean come on you're lifting 2k pounds with a 37 pound jack....something has got to eventually give.....I'll keep m 67 pound AC Hydraulics jack


Will
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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 07:43 PM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

Here's a picture. I bought one anyway. It will be perfect for the track with it's lightweight and super low profile.
I'm sick of bringing my big jack to the track.



BTW - The height is 3.5 inches from the ground to the "rubber puck".
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

but I have heard of numerous of them breaking under load
I think this is the second time you've said that the aluminum floor jacks break. Do you have any links or documentation to support that? I've never heard of one breaking and I use mine all the time. I'd like to know if I'm in danger.
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 10:38 AM
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Default Re: What floor jack to buy?

There's one incident described towards the bottom of this page http://www.vorshlag.com/tech_jacks5.html

There's also a little info about them here

http://www.bmw-m.net/Digest/Archive_...gest2536.htm#6

I had found another link about them but it's not working anymore

Will
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