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Thread: Low profile floor jack

  1. #1
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    Low profile floor jack

    Do you have any recommendations for a good not too expensive low profile floor jack?

    Thanks Bill

  2. #2
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    whatever you do, don't get a craftsman. Great jack for a year and 2 months (warranty expired at 1 year, of course), the ujoint to release the jack broke, so I had to use pliers to lower it, then finally the whole thing failed and leaked oil everywhere

    that being said, I'm using a $25 walmart special, hasn't failed me yet

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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by IRPancake View Post
    whatever you do, don't get a craftsman. Great jack for a year and 2 months (warranty expired at 1 year, of course), the ujoint to release the jack broke, so I had to use pliers to lower it, then finally the whole thing failed and leaked oil everywhere

    that being said, I'm using a $25 walmart special, hasn't failed me yet
    This man speaks the truth, but mine hasn't spit oil out yet and mine's at least 5 yrs old. I do have to use pliers though to release it.
    "If the Corvette is a rebellious child of the extended automotive family, the M coupe is the blackest of sheep." - via Car & Driver

  4. #4
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    Costco has a nice low profile one. My craftsman jack is still in service since I got it in 1985 in high School.

    I also have had good luck with a few aluminum jacks from Harbor Freight. One is new and I have only used it a few times the other gets used about every week for the past 5 years. Just always use good jack stands with any floor jack. They all break at some point
    Last edited by CABimmer; 07-22-2009 at 04:38 PM.
    Doug (BMWCCA HPDE Instructor, Respect My Authoritay!)

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  5. #5
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    I was just going to recommend the Craftsman Aluminum.

    i have been using it regularly for 3-4 years now with no issues. Previously I had the Harbor Freight aluminum and that thing failed after 6 months.
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  6. #6
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    And I have been using the Harbor Freight aluminum jack for 7 years for changing tires at the autocross, so it gets a lot of rough use. Looks like you just pay your money and take your chances.
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by khammack View Post
    Looks like you just pay your money and take your chances.
    +1
    I think that the real difference in price is that all of the high-price ones are good, while only some of the low-price ones are. You aren't paying for quality, you're paying for consistent quality.

    That said, my Harbor Freight "Big Red" aluminum has been bombproof so far, with a year's use and 10+ autox's.

  8. #8
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    I have been using one of the smaller aluminum jacks from harbor freight for about 6 months now without any issue, and right now they are 59 dollars. In my opinion that can't be beat.
    2000 M Coupe, TCK coilovers, BBS RK.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by IslandS62 View Post
    I was just going to recommend the Craftsman Aluminum.

    i have been using it regularly for 3-4 years now with no issues. Previously I had the Harbor Freight aluminum and that thing failed after 6 months.
    No issues with the Craftsman Alumninum after 3years of use either... although I have heard of countless negative reviews about this jack. Guess I just got lucky.

  10. #10
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    I 2nd or 3rd.....the Costco floor-jack, although the one I picked up is real heavy. Works great though. I've had it for 4 months now.

  11. #11
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    I have the Habor Freight aluminum race jack. It's $80... if it breaks, I'll buy another one. Buy yourself a nice set of jack stands.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    I bought this one. Arrived quickly and the thing is almost shockingly well finished. Made in China.. Ranger is a division of Bend Pak http://www.bendpak.com/, who makes lifts, so I have some trust of their product. It's not a cheapie, but not the most expensive either, and I've seen how crudely some cheap ones are made. They also make other models that aren't aluminum, and higher capacity. But this one is low-profile and lighter.
    http://www.eautotools.com/Ranger-RFJ...rfj-3000al.htm

    The handle is 2 pieces that snap lock together. (Alumunium finish on mine, not red as shown). The rubber pad for lifting is decently sized.
    Last edited by Kenn; 07-23-2009 at 01:13 AM.

  13. #13
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    Been usng Harbor Freight (1.5 ton) for several years now and it has served me very well. It worked great through the conversion project, it's very light so I bring it to track/autocross. I say it's perfect for the Z, although it will flex if you try and use it on anything much heavier than the Z (such as an e46). They are super durable for what they are, for those who are afraid of Harbor Freight you'd be surprised how many you see at a track or autocross event, heck just last weekend I saw some teams using them at the ALMS race at LRP.


    Here's a good (but old) writeup that was done by Vorshlag comparing jacks http://www.vorshlag.com/tech_jacks1.php
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  14. #14
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    Went through two Craftsmen with light use over about ten years--1350# car, one side at a time, ten or so autocrosses a year--both blew seals. I now have the HF aluminum, and it's worked fine for over a year on the M and the other cars. Its release isn't confidence-inspiring, but it's OK if you're careful to keep the handle straight and release it slowly.

  15. #15
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    Dytrdr5,

    I couldn't find one for $59 on Harbor freight. Did I miss it?

    Thanks Bill

  16. #16
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    I like my CarQuest Aluminum low profile. But I think that as long as you're not using it as much as a professional mechanic or pit crew, just about any will last you a while.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by bhurley View Post
    Dytrdr5,

    I couldn't find one for $59 on Harbor freight. Did I miss it?

    Thanks Bill


    This is the one on sale in stores right now.

  18. #18
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  19. #19
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    Thanks for the recommendations guys

  20. #20
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    Don't cheap out on your jack. There is nothing that can be replaced as a result of a jack failure for the money you saved by buying a cheap jack.

    The setup below represents a ~$450 investment that is a joy to use, never gives me cause to worry, and will almost certainly outlive me.




  21. #21
    Join Date
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    yeah that's the one, I looked in the weekly ads and it was 59. I know that it was advertised in last months motortrend for that price and it said prices good through 11/09
    2000 M Coupe, TCK coilovers, BBS RK.

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