Hi,

I am trying to do some maintenance underneath my car for the first time and I would like to see which hydraulic jack you guys use?

I purchased the 2 ton Torin brand jack, tried to jack up the front of the car at the tow hook area, but it doesn't go up high enough for my jackstands to be placed on the front sides.

I am going to return it, but would like some advice on which brand to get and which size, etc. Thank you!

 

My friend has a torin i dunno what make but I have no issues with it.

 

I am using the Jegs 1.5 ton jack and it's pretty good only issue I had was bleeding the air. I always jack from the sides of the car I don't like lifting up the whole front or rear at one time. The Jegs picks it up high enough to get my stands under.

 

I got a Sears 3 ton jack. It's OK for light/home duty, but reviews on it are spotty for durability.

Regardless, you need a jack that has max lift height of 20" (or more) if possible. The one I have is 19 3/4" and I can barely get the rear high enough for jack stands.

I have to put a block of wood on the jack and/or raise the front first.

And, BTW, you don't "jack up the front of the car at the tow hook area" - hopefully you meant the rear. The front get's jacked on the plate in the center front frame.

If you're dropped much, you may need a low profile.

 

Yes thank you, I thought that was a tow area. But I looked at a diagram that I believe you posted in another post no the front and rear location. Ok so look for max lift height of 20", I think mine was like 15"

 

I have an older version of this one and it works great. No complaints except that mine is dirty now.

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-1532-Capac.../dp/B000XSCEBM

 

I have one from Harbor Freight that I purchsed in 2004. Not a single complaint from me. Basically this one. My accord was lowered and I could still put a 2x4 on the pad and get under the car to get it jacked up.

 

A good car jack is when you can get away with the car, and not get caught......

 

What is the lift height of this? I can't seem to find the spec of it. Thank you

 

It says 18 inches. I dunno if mine is the same since it is older, but I can jack up any of my 4 cars with it enough to get jack stands underneath.

 

What jackstands do you use? I got the Torin 3 ton ones.

 

LOL! I thought something similar when I first saw the thread title!

 

oh wow, I believe 3 ton stands are HIGHER than 2 ton stands.
might be why you cant raise it high enough....

 

I dont use a jack I just drive in on the lift..

no but when I do use a jack I either use my dads sears one or my friends Harbor Freight one

 

Could be right. I know the 3-ton stands that mmade22 has are taller than my 2 1/4 ton ones.


I also want to revise my earlier post. I do have the Sears 3-ton jack and it does have a lift height of 19 3/4". BUT the car I couldn't lift with a shorter jack was the 2G TL-S (rear).

The 19 3/4" does lift the rear of the 3G TL-S high enough for wheel removal and jack-stand placement.

Although, if I were doing it again, I would still go to 20" if I could.

 

I have one of the craftsman aluminum low profile "race" jacks. It's red and silver, has bad reviews for durability online but mine has yet to let me down. Fits under the front and rear of the car to the jack points and also lifts way higher than my jack stands.

 

^^^^fixed with $10, a saw and a hammer....

 

I got Harbor Freight 2 ton Low profile Racing Jack for like and 2 pairs of 3 ton stands all for like $197. It lifts 18 3/4" I believe. Enough to fit the stands and a click up. It does the job pretty well but if your car is slammed you might have some trouble fitting the jack to get to the front jack point.

 

I use 2 ton gm goodwrench stands from wal mart. Cheap and work wonders.

 

boo walmart

low profile 1.5 ton jack from harbor freight.
i would definitely purchase their extended warranty
those things are known to crap out, ive had 2 crapped out on me.
the warranty is 10 bucks for 2 years so if anything it's a return policy every 2 years for their new model

 

You couldn't pay me to use a 1.5 ton jack. 2-ton at least.

I'd prefer the jack have a capacity equal (or greater) than the full weight of the car. Same for jack stands, which I believe are rated as pairs.


But maybe that's just me.

 

youre right, last time i used my jack to jack up my whole car weight using the frame plate that's center mass of my car and put my whole car on two jack stands i did hear a slight metal squeaking noise

MY BAD.

 

Just be careful.

Glad you're using jack stands too.

 

the sad part about my usage of jack stands isn't that i'm afraid of the jack failing, i have a fear of an earthquake happening during me sitting under my car and having the freaking tire in my face and my aspec kit smash into my chest.

i'm looking for a pair of decently priced wheel chocks though... amazon has torins at a steal for 3 bucks but ships in 7-9 weeks, lol.

 

check out this new car jack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0SblGp8Oy0

 

Hot damn that's genious!

 

Wow nice...

 

Is it just me, or does that jackstand seem a bit flimsy????

 

??? I would take that over harbor freight. I paid 25 ish for one set and I have two. They have lasted me 3 years with no issues. Been through multiple trans pulls and engine pulls with no issues. It might be from wal mart but its actually quality stuff.

 

I also have the craftsman aluminum racing jack. Been good to me so far.

 

That jack in the video is good, but I wish the stand had an adjustable height feature.

 

flat rack/4 post or a two post one
\
cause i know one of my lifts at work, i actually have trouble getting under my car, but the other one is good

BUT then it is reversed with 4x4 with the extensions, especially when they having running boards, easier to get the one i have trouble with my car on, under the 4x4's