V_Langs_3.2TL

I don't need the best. but I have a decent standard height 3 ton big red jack at the moment and I can't for the life of me figure out how I'm supposed to jack it up with the lip kit with this thing, it doesn't even fit under my drop at the moment. I kind of jerririg it by lifting my ride and kicking the jack

How do all of you with almost zero ground clearance actually jack up your car?

it doesn't seem plausible even with the lowest of profile jacks.

advice please, I want to invest in some good tools for the summer modding season.

btw, my budget for a jack is around 50$ am i delusional to think I can get a good lp jack for that much? I only paid 20$ for my big red so the cheaper the better haha

and second question on this, do LP jacks raise the car higher than standard hydraulics? Mine doesn't get it high enough to fit jack stands (lowest perch) under it. I always assumed I just had a shitty jack but that might not be true.

gold2003tl (90)

check out Harbor Freight, i have a 3k lb "racing" jack that is low profile. does the job just fine, held up to a few years of use problem free. 50 bucks or so, also look for harbor freight coupons for discounts too.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

i dont use my stock jack points anymore. i drive up on 2 layers of 2X6s and use the front underbracing as a jack point. is it safe? who knows. havent had a problem yet. car feels more stable than on factory jack points.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I would think any brand low profile jack would suffice.






-Bop!

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

i used two floor jacks.


1. raise rear by rear tow hook. (non low pro)

2. put low pro jack on one of rear jacking point and raise

3. lower floor jack on rear tow hook move to front side jacking point assuming you've raised the low pro at the rear enough and raise front jack point

4. move low pro in rear to front middle and raise whole front.

5. jack stands.

this was all without wood pieces.

V_Langs_3.2TL

^that seems like a sound method. You could get a standard hydraulic jack under your rear tow hook even when you were slammed??

Just took another look and it looks like with the rear lip it'll be a tight squeeze

Edward'TLS

Get someone to help you lifting the front bumper as high as possible, then you just quickly shove the low-profile jack underneath the car.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^I'm sorry, i dont take steroids.

-Bop!

n1njai

iTrader: (3)

I drive my car onto blocks and then raise the car. And i agree with the harbor freight lowpro racing jack, I have one.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I bought mine from pep boys...the aluminum blue one...seen it on harbor freight for $80 something...I paid $115. BUT, I'm not really even tucking tire much and if the car were any lower, I'd have to run some wood under first.

-BOP!

01tl4tl

the homemade wood ramps/slabs of wood- are the ticket for getting low cars onto ramps, jacks, shop lifts etc
Had to do it all the time in a shop!

jacking one full side of the car scares me!! (except my car which is very stiff and raises the whole side of car when lifted from front jack point!!)

just lift it from the center point- use whatever boards needed to get some height on lifter pad and support one end of the car with stands

I've gone so far as to put one end of the car on ramps, and lift the other end of the car--- support with stands
Can lift off the ramps from center point and insert stands as needed

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

it fits fine.

wtf........

TequiLa

iTrader: (3)

if you already have a jack that's not low profile, low profile ramps or wood blocks...

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

2x4's work too, even if it is just one layer, enough to get the jack under


btw those factory jack points are fine with the stock jack (or even on the back of the car, where there is less weight, but as soon as you try to lift the front with them, they always seem to bend...)

V_Langs_3.2TL

Thanks guys!

I'm going to be buying another jack so I'll have two jacks I'll have to test out both methods and see which one I like best

anyone have a preference for jack itself?

EDIT: Mods, Any way you can change the title or sticky this or something? There's a lot of really good info on jacking up a lowered car in here

Edward'TLS

No need for steroids.

My car is also lowered. I do the lifting and shoving in all my myself, twice every year when swapping summer and winter tires.

First position the low-profile jack right in front of the front lip. Then I turn my back against the front bumper, and lift the bumper as high up as is possible while kicking the jack underneath the car. Done !

But don't try if you're not up to it.

n1njai

iTrader: (3)

That is dangerous dude...like what if your jack isn't on the subframe or anything...

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Team Edward.

vampires must have lots of strength.

AlanW

Do a google search & research on "hydraulic floor jacks" Read customer reviews. Damn near all of them are made in China now and customers of all brands (NAPA, Sears, Harbor Frieght, etc) complain about how quickly the hydrualic cylinder goes bad. Many of the cheaper ones go bad with as few as 10 uses. Plus they are not repairable or the repair costs about as much as the jack. Apparently there are a lot of crappy jacks out there.

American made jacks are still high quality, but start at around $300 for 2.5 ton models.
The only getting 10 uses out of one is what happened with the last 2.5 ton jack I bought for $35 at Auto Zone. (made in China) Read the customer reviews ( if available) on any model you are considering. It was an eyeopener for me as I though I could get a good, lasting jack for $75 or something.

I even looked into getting an old American made 2.5 ton jack repaired and that was going to be $165 with only a 1 year warranty. If somebody has a relatively inexpensive jack that has held up to several years and numerous uses, I'd like to know what to buy!

01tl4tl

harbor freight is your friend
splurge and get the low profile blue racing jack, or the basic jack
2 ton mini jack works to lift side for a tire change, but get a 2.5 or 3 ton for any margin of safety lifting the end of the car

your head is under the car,, inserting stands,, while trusting the jack,,,
is your life worth another 50 bucks for a better stronger jack?

DO get the warranty!! because every jack is going to fail at some point,,if its going to be used a lot in 2-3 years, its worth it
its nice to walk in with a bad one and walk out with a new unit- no hassle

many race teams carry 2 of the blue ones, in case one breaks at the track, it has a backup

Edward'TLS

^^^^^ Yes, always put stands underneath the car at the other support points. Never trust the hydraulic jack to support the car alone.

AlanW

How long of a warranty can you get at harbor freight?

dwongv1

Any tips on what to do if I can't jack the car high enough to get jack stands under? My jack only goes to about 15-16" and it's not enough to get the jack stands under the points. Would it be safe to put a piece of wood between the car and the jack saddle or should I just go find a jack with a higher range?

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

^ drive up on 2x4s/ramps

n1njai

iTrader: (3)

Do the 2x4 blocks, and add a wooden block to the jack itself to get some more leverage.