DrZ1

I am looking for a good floor jack, I have bought some cheaper ones that dont hold up. I was looking at a Matco one but it has a 4" min. but does have a 23" max. I plan to measure and make sure tonight.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MSJ3T

I would also like to use it on my 2500hd truck if possible. I have a large harbor freight jack, but it gets stuck. again junk.

But was curious if anyone had other reccomendations.

Thanks
Steve

Ben951S

Why doesn't anyone make a low profile jack that can go ~36'' or so?

Richgreenster

I bought one from Checker (Now o'reilly auto parts) that worked great for 10+ years before it got stolen. I used it a ton lifting trucks as well as my sport cars. It was heavy but never let me down.

sparkyman215

I am on my 4th floor jack. Usually they would quit working after about a year. My recent jack I bought from Northren tool because they were willing to sell me a warranty. I think it cost around 20 bucks for something like a three year warranty. If it stopped working for any reason they would give me a new one. So far I have been happy with it and it is nice to know it has a warranty and won't have to buy another for a few more years. Here is a link to the one I have. It doesn't go as high as you wanted but it was one of the lowest profile jacks I could find.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5429_200345429

DrZ1

I would like more height then 23 but that was the most I found. Actually most are 20". I have looked at Snap-on, Mac and Matco.

I have a feeling that a lowered 944 will be a problem for 4"min.

Also no local NT, and I feel shipping would be high. Not to mention the jacks usually go out between year 2-3 for me.

Steve

esmith904

My 26 year old Sears floor jack finally stopped lifting this past December. I bought a 3 ton Hein-Werner HW93652. It is also serviceable as rebuild kits are available online.

http://www.shinnfuamerica.com/Produc...ks/HW93652/523

kinglenario

i have the aluminum craftsman. works fine. it goes high enough and it's low enough to fit under the rocker jack point.

Tedro951

My 30 year old japanese craftsman (100lbs) 2T finally gave up this winter. I bought the low profile Arcan 3.5T at Costco a few months ago, but at the same time ordered new piston cup and seals for the craftsman jack. Seals and parts are available for almost all jacks, even the chinese. People dispose of cheap chinese jacks when all most need are good seals. HF jacks seem to leak within months of purchase, if you believe the forums, but metallurgy aside, seals will bring them back to a long life.

I shopped Hein and all the others, but the Arcan made more sense for me.

Bottom line: The costco jack is the best $99 I've spent. Fits under the 951 and the 3500 Cummins. I rebuilt the sears jack and it works better than ever for under $35. I seem to use it more than the new one when the task isn't 951 related.

DrZ1

I just want to get the most height to work under. At my mechanics shop he has an older Matco that raises higher then the usual 18-20 inches, which is the range of most available jacks.

Although $400 for a jack is a bit much, but for the extra 3-5 inches it might be worth it. I will measure tonight, unless anyone has the measurement in their head. 4 inches looks doable.


Thanks for all the reccomendations.

Techno Duck

I have an OTC aluminum racing jack (#1532), after around 4-5 years of pretty steady usage the seals are leaking a little. OTC said to send the jack back (under the lifetime marathon warranty) to them for either a rebuild or brand new replacement or i can bring it to a local hydraulic shop that does warranty work for them. I think maximum lift is 18-19", fits under my lowered 951 fine.. dont need to drive up on 2x4"s anymore. The big difference i have seen between the Harbor Freight and other brand aluminum jacks is the HF jacks only use 1-piston, so it takes a bit longer to get the jack up to height. Not a huge deal really but its nice getting the car to maximum height in a couple less pumps i guess.

Its available for $200 on Amazon.

Does this jack need to be portable? If its a shop only jack i would just pickup a large AC hydraulics jack or something. They are low profile and about as heavy duty as it gets. Had one at my fathers shop that was probably older than i was and never had any problems with it. Not exactly something i want to be carrying in the back of my truck (easily weights over 100lbs), but if its just gotta roll around the shop its about as good as it gets.

DrZ1

Thanks the AC jack looks perfect. At bit pricey but I may have to spoil myself with 29"lift.

Steve

Techno Duck

Yikes, i knew it was expensive but didnt realize it was that expensive! Now i know why my dads mechanic would yell at me when i left it outside in the rain on occasion .

But figure you spend between $100-200 on buying a new cheapo jack, after a few years it starts leaking.. you rationalize buying another cheapo jack rather than fixing the old one. Minus well just get a good one right from the start!

mtnman82

Tedro951 - can you point me to any directions or DIY's on how to rebuild a floor jack? I'd really like to rebuilt one I have that leaks like a sive - pretty sure all it need is seals but have no idea how to get it apart or where to get the seals...

DrZ1

Found this one for a nice price. Do know much about Ranger products. I was looking at the top one listed.

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

dillon410021

harbor freight 4000lb low profile aluminum jack works great for 944/51's