V_Langs_3.2TL

How do you keep your hydraulic jack functioning all winter?!

Went to use it to swap my rims the other day and it would barely raise an inch. Usually sits in my car so I guess it stays warm enough but left it in the garage for a few weeks and damn it wouldn't go anywhere!

do you have low viscosity oil? keep it inside the house?

Mine's pretty useless at the moment

I'm picking up a low profile jack (mine doesn't get under my oil pan anymore) in a few days and while I have my "slow" January I want to get some things done, but if I can't jack it enough to get my stands up I can't do a thing

any ideas?

totaledTL

Craftsman- don't have any problems with it.

Rejckt

iTrader: (2)

I got that cheapshit from pepboys. I paid about $15 for it, I think it's called a torin big red. I leave it outside, works fine.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

i have a $10 hydraulic bottle jack from Harbor Freight. used it the other day to help change a friends tire and it still worked fine in freezing weather

V_Langs_3.2TL

that's weird, I'm getting a US General "Racing" Jack this weekend. But I have a craftsmen one and I dunno maybe the oil is bad?

AlanW

Speaking of jacks, what is a good 2 to 3 ton small floor jack that will last and one might be able to find parts for and rebuild some years down the line??

I'm tired of buying those little 2-tons jacks like from Auto Zone and 3 months later the seals are leaking and it is useless.

V_Langs_3.2TL

how are bottle jacks? can you raise the front and rear ends with it? or is it for the sides only?

my main concern with all of this is getting underneath the oil pan. my current one doesn't and I have to jack one end up with my temp jack and then get under it

Rejckt

iTrader: (2)

A bottle jack wouldnt fit under my car.

01tl4tl

dont expect a 2 ton jack to survive- you need at least 3 ton for the TL to have a safety and lifting reserve

you can drive the car onto a wood plank to raise an inch, then get a normal jack under the front

Cars with stiff suspension and frame crossbars may find one entire side of the car lifts from one side jackpoint

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

yeah i wouldnt trust it to raise the entire front end. just corners.

V_Langs_3.2TL

^thanks man,

it sucks because bottle jacks are so cheap haha. Harbor freight has a 12ton low profile bottle jack is only 30 bucks.

I never thought about wood planks, I wonder ow much those reinforced metal planks that you can drive up cost.

V_Langs_3.2TL

http://www.amazon.com/Rage-Powerspor...pr_product_top

this seems like something that just might be perfect for us lowered folk.

not too expensive and raises the car enough so a normal jack gets right under it

01tl4tl

when I said wood planks, I meant a piece of 2x4 will work,, but a piece of 8 or 12 inch wood gives lots of room for tire support

not a long plank actually- just a 1 inch thick, 1 foot square piece lets me get the front wheels on the rise, then the hft 2 ton ( I know I said dont use 2 ton~ maybe santa will bring me the 3 ton lightweight unit and a motorcycle lift)

It fits right under, add another block of wood on jacks top to reduce distance to frame and allow higher lifting

another option for general raising to change oil is the plastic rhino ramps-
my metal ones wont clear the spoiler but the plastics do-- no sweat.
car lowered on teins and 18s

V_Langs_3.2TL

^ahh ok!

I'll have to go grab some boards from my parents home, my dad has a shed full.

I never thought about putting a block on the lift itself...it doesn't slip? that would be my main concern

p.s. what struts do you use? oem?

thelastaspec

same

fsttyms1

Buy a quality floor jack. Something with a 4" lifting pad. The jack really doesnt need to be 2 or 3 tons. How often do you jack the WHOLE car up at once........ NEVER. 1.5 is fine if thats all you can afford or find.

Dont buy a bottle jack.