i need your recommendation for floor jacks. my harbor freight aluminum jack is loosing capability to lift, it requires many extra pumps to lift the cradle. Is it simply low on hydraulic fluid? i see evidence of leaking.

Also if I were to buy a new jack, which one? I like the harbor freight ones. I owned the blue lightweight jack for a decade. Is there a longer version with a higher lift height? The current one does not have enough height for my other car, VW vanagon.

I can not justify the AC DK20 from rennlinst, even though I would love to since it will probably last a lifetime.

thank you

 

I like my Craftsman low-profile jack, even though many reviews say they don't last. Mine is fine, and gets under the car nicely.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rr#reviewsWrap

 

Try topping off the fluid. I seem to recall comments about many of the HF jacks not being rebuildable. If yours isn't and it is leaking, you may not have any option but to replace it.
I have a Sears unit as well and it has been great for more than ten years. Slips under my 964 and can easily lift the Tahoe as well.

Gary

 

What are your requirements? I use an OTC http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-1532.aspx
That comes with a life time warranty. Very happy with it. Lowest 3.5", highest 18". 44lb. Very easy to move around. However, to jack up an SUV or your van, most likely you need something higher than 18" due to the higher jacking points. I would say get a seperate jack for you van which can lift higher but yet not too heavy. There are jacks that have enough range for both your porsche and the van, it will be like 100lb, not convenient to move around.

 

Been very happy with the ARCAN 3.5-ton floor jack that I bought from COSTCO for under $100: low height, easy/quick lift, built like a tank. I have used it with no problems/great confidence for years now (sturdy enough to hoist my Ford F-150 with ease).

PICTURE below from the web, not mine:

 

I use the low profile harbor freight, it's so cheap. Totally worth replacing every few years.

 

I have the low profile OTC 1532 2ton racing jack. It's been fine for everything i have been doing on the 996 although I haven't used it on any of the other vehicles. It has a good long handle which is easy for cranking.

 

A proper jack; http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...yd1-detail.htm. Love mine. Don't skimp on cheapo jacks. We have had china freight and craftsmanship fail.

 

I have the AC DK20 and have had to rebuild the cylinder twice. I am not impressed with the hydraulics. I seem to be alone in my complaints, so I may have just gotten a bad unit. I really love the design and low profile. I have the AC jackstands as well which are the best I have ever seen.

 

I've had this one for a couple of years: http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...category=Tools. Nothing fancy but it's low-profile, lightweight & reliable.

 

I have a Craftsman and it works great. After 10 years, I finally had to replace a seal, and top of on hydraulic fluid this last summer. Also, amazingly, it works on both the Porsche, and my Wrangler with 4.5" of lift and 35" tires.

 

I have the Harbor Freight model and had to add hydraulic fluid when it was new and I am guessing that may be what yours needs to get it working again. If that doesn't work, spend the cash for a better brand as the HF models are as cheap as they get and show it. JMTCW

 

I have the craftsman 3 ton one
my review is it works great, its NOT low profile and that can be a problem sometimes - like I could not get it under a car with side skirts - its bloody heavy - like really really heavy - but I trust it not to drop and can use it to lift the suburban or the little red car

so mixed review - but I picked it up for $35 off craigslist which makes the PRO's outweigh the CON's all day long!!!

(just a thought, sometimes second hand items can work out - sometimes you get a lemon)

 

cheap jack will do the work just fine but if you have the cash spend the money on the pelican link above. Surely worth the investment, but I did all my work on cheap harbor freight one and they were fine as I always support the car with floor stand anyways. There definitely buy the expensive one there.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...ACHyd1_pg8.htm

way better than craftsman. rubber protect the paint on the chassis and allow to raise the car one corner at a time without risking any slipping. a must have.

 

I bought a 3.5 ton at Costco for $100. It's been awesome- used it to pull the engine out of a donor 996 to replace mine. I used the jack to raise/lower the car and also used it in conjunction with a motorcycle jack to lower the tip trans/engine/exhaust in one piece!

Costco membership is only $50 and they have unlimited return policy if I recall correctly.

Also it is low profile and it fits under the car no problem