THPorsche

Do I need a 2 or 3 ton jack or 1 1/2 ton will be enough? I almost bought a 1 1/2 with a pair of stands from PepBoys Sunday ($150) but I think I should confirm with you guys first.

jcnesq

FWIW, yesterday I saw my next door neighbor's new jack while working on my 356 and he on his Morgan - it is 3 ton, very low profile, looks very sturdy and professional; he said he paid about $90 for it at NAPA, and I'm going to go buy one. I just checked and can't find it online but hopefully they still have it in the stoor.

I was looking at Craftsman online, but after reading the reviews, I would never buy any jack from Sears, in fact it brings into question everything they make in my mind.

OCBen

A 1-1/2 ton jack is more than adequate for typical use.

Our cars weigh pretty close to a ton and a half as it is, and since you won't be trying to balance the entire weight of the car on a single jack, you'll be fine. The most that you'll be able to do is get three wheels off the ground with a single jack, and this will obviously be less weight than the entire weight of the car.

But to put your mind at ease, these jacks, by law, must be designed with a minimum safety factor of 3. This means that if you were to balance your 997 on a single jack, you could stack two more 997s on top (lightly optioned, of course) and the jack should still hold.

The load rating stamped on the jack is the recommended maximum load with the full margin of safety (3x) intact. When you load it up to its design limit (3 997s stacked up) you are left with ZERO margin of safety, and the jack could blow if a fly lands on top of the stack - not recommended.

So yes, a 1-1/2 ton jack is absolutely fine.

THPorsche

Thanks Jim and Ben. Is Craftsman really that bad now? I guess I will save the trip to Sears then. I think I will get a 2 tons or 3 tons (just to make myself feel "safer") as I forgot I have two really heavy cars to work under also.

Rick in Colorado

Don't forget to check out the one at Costco (per Ben's original recommendation). The thing is a work of art and looks like it would look at home in a NASCAR pit. Price is right as well. I almost can't wait for my next flat.

jhbrennan

I also have (and recommend) the Costco offering. I also use a "jack pad" from my Vette days - it fits in the slots in the frame and helps me with aligning the jack.

Edgy01

Craftsman actually has manufactured for them now a very high quality aluminum floor jack. It's like everything I think,--made in China. It's not inexpensive, but easily gets down enough for a 997 and actually can lift a car in about 3 pump actions. I'll try and add a model number shortly.

THPorsche

Thanks guys. I will check them out and probably those from HarbourFreight also.

intense_tracer

I actually have 2 from Crafsman, an old 1.5ton and a newer one the 4000lb (model G620S). I have not had problems so far (knock on wood). I've had the old 1.5ton for about 10 years and the new one about a year. I did not read the reviews before purchasing, but am bit concerned now. But we'll see how it goes.

dndodd

I have three hydraulic jacks. I figured I can afford a Porsche I/it deserves better. So I bought a Bend-Pak Scissor lift. $1500.00 Rasises it up to 48".
I did have to put 2 x 12's next to it to get the car on it. I think it will pay for itself.

cobra06

If the 1.5 ton aluminum costco jack is the Torin model, Northern tool has them on sale for$69.00

OCBen

Stay away from the Harbor Freight ones.

Those have been known to have leaky seals and to be poorly made, and you could lose hydraulic pressure in an instant if a seal gives out.

THPorsche

Thanks Ben. I guess I will stop by Costco tomorrow at lunch

Swilliams97

I bought the same one as the Northerntool one at costco with jackstands about a year ago. About $99 I believe. They also had a larger one as well. 3 Ton?

Joe S.

A good comparision article on floor jacks: http://www.vorshlag.com/tech_jacks1.php
I just ordered the AFF 200T jack since the AC jack has almost doubled in price.