[bb1857]

Originally Posted by Coupeit88

Yea I'd like to know that to...

For those using a 1.5 ton jack. Aren't you the reluctant because the car weighs 500 more lbs?

I just want to do some tire stuff.

You are never lifting the entire weight of the car so its perfectly fine to use a jack thats rated lower than the vehicle. I have the 3 ton HF and its worked great for years jacking up big ass heavy Jeeps. I think I am going to get the aluminum one soon just for ease of dragging around

[Don N.]

Harbor freight is probably the go to. I have both the steel and aluminum versions.

[Outlaw 06]

This is a seven month old thread, so the OP probably made a choice already.

Here's my 2-cents anyway.

I really don’t understand why people who decide to spend 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars or more on a car, then also decide to skimp on vital equipment such as jacks and stands.

There’s an old racing adage that goes “If you have a cheap head, then buy a cheap helmet.” It can also be said that if you have a cheap life, then buy a cheap jack.

I’ve read many threads with people recommending cheap jacks (and jack stands), and these definitely aren’t tools you want to skimp on. Harbour Freight, Craftsman, and far too many other makes are just rebranded/repainted versions of the same “Made in China” POS jacks. These jacks are poorly manufactured with shoddy components and seals that might last a few years if they're only used once or twice a year. Why keep buying shoddy Chinese-made throwaway jacks every couple of years when a high-quality $400 jack will last a lifetime AND be much less expensive over the long run?

Oftentimes you get what you pay for, and "saving" a few dollars (in the short-term) on cheap POS jacks and jack stands isn’t worth the safety risk either. Getting crushed under a car with some extra money in my wallet just doesn’t seem like a good risk/reward trade-off to me. Simply put, I won't trust my life or my limbs to Chinese jacks or jack stands.

I prefer using high quality tools that are built to last. I have a Danish made AC Hydraulic DK20 4,400 pound low profile floor jack (with the optional rubber saddle pad) and US made Hein-Werner 3-Ton jack stands. The DK20 is an outstanding floor jack with excellent fit, finish and build quality. The jack is fairly priced at $400 and is an excellent value for the money. The DK20 is 16 inches wide and very stable with an extremely low saddle height of about 3.2 inches (for 4 inches past the saddle) and a maximum lift height of almost 20 inches. I use the DK20 regularly to jack up an entire side of my M3, 328i and my wife’s Acura MDX. I highly recommend the AC Hydraulic DK20 floor jack.

[Daz330cd]

Originally Posted by Real Nice Guy

They start to bend and twist after some use.

You must be doing something wrong. I've an Arcan from Costco. Had it a few years and its seen loads of action. Zero issues.

[Coupeit88]

Thanks for the physics and gravity 101 lessons guys Haha. But I'm aware a jack is never lifting the full weight of the car. But to have a 1.5 ton jack as your only option (in case you actually do have to remove all tires). Do you guys feel comfortable?

If I'm removing tires to put on brake pads, would you go one or two tires at a time?

The guy who uses a HF jack (3 tons). Of course its working properly, it has a 6000lb capacity. Did you mean 3 thousand?

[DaveJB]

Originally Posted by Coupeit88

Thanks for the physics and gravity 101 lessons guys Haha. But I'm aware a jack is never lifting the full weight of the car. But to have a 1.5 ton jack as your only option (in case you actually do have to remove all tires). Do you guys feel comfortable?

If I'm removing tires to put on brake pads, would you go one or two tires at a time?

The guy who uses a HF jack (3 tons). Of course its working properly, it has a 6000lb capacity. Did you mean 3 thousand?

Taking off all four wheels... are you suggesting supporting the car with the jack and not jack stands?! I hope not.

Use the jack in conjunction with 4 stands if you're removing all four wheels. If you're doing a side at a time... use stands. I keep rereading this post and you must be asking about NOT using stands.
That's crazy talk.

Are there (hillbillies?!) people out there that leave the car sitting on the jack and don't use stands?! Jeez, well, I'm all for it now that I think about it; I believe it's called natural selection, aka, The Darwin Awards.

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by Coupeit88

Thanks for the physics and gravity 101 lessons guys Haha. But I'm aware a jack is never lifting the full weight of the car. But to have a 1.5 ton jack as your only option (in case you actually do have to remove all tires). Do you guys feel comfortable?

If I'm removing tires to put on brake pads, would you go one or two tires at a time?

The guy who uses a HF jack (3 tons). Of course its working properly, it has a 6000lb capacity. Did you mean 3 thousand?

I would never trust any jack regardless of brand to specifically hold up a car that is getting jostled around. Jack it up, put jack stand under it and drop it down. Much safer this way

[kevlac]

I'm glad I came across this thread. I'm starting to prepare for my winter wheel/tire swap and I need a jack.

I must admit, I am surprised by how many people are recommending the HF jack. When looking at their site, they have three 3 ton, low profile steel jacks that look identical.

Look: http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...oor-jacks.html

They have different item #'s. One seems to lift a 1/4 inch higher than the others. Is there a certain one that everyone is using?

[235Dude]

Originally Posted by kevlac

I'm glad I came across this thread. I'm starting to prepare for my winter wheel/tire swap and I need a jack.

I must admit, I am surprised by how many people are recommending the HF jack. When looking at their site, they have three 3 ton, low profile steel jacks that look identical.

Look: http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...oor-jacks.html

They have different item #'s. One seems to lift a 1/4 inch higher than the others. Is there a certain one that everyone is using?

The long reach one for $139 is the one to get. It will reach the center jack point and is only 2-5/8 inches high at the lowest setting, (some of the other won't fit if you are lowered). Its a bit heavy though and never goes on sale.

[overcoil]

These are helpful for getting enough lift for a jack to get underneath
http://www.reverselogic.us/phone/jack-assist-ramps.html

[bodega_cat]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

These are helpful for getting enough lift for a jack to get underneath
http://www.reverselogic.us/phone/jack-assist-ramps.html

or you can do like I did and get a couple 2 by 10 wood scrap pieces from home depot long enough to drive on. Take them home and cut the edge of one end at an angle to drive up on. Bam. The car is now a couple inches higher to jack up easily for less than 10 bucks. No need to always spend a fortune for something so simple.

If you're patient and crafty enough, you can literally make it even higher by stacking pieces of wood.