For as many years as I have worked on cars both personally and professionally, I never had the need to own either. Why? Anything I needed to do I did at work. Lifts and pits > jacks and stands.

However, the time has come. And since it's been such a long while since I even looked at jacks (Craftsman had a good reputation, that's how long it's been), I thought I'd take a shot and ask the crowd.

I doubt what I get will be able to work on both vehicles (CR-V and TL), so I don't want to spend a lot twice. I'll also be picking up some sort of third vehicle in the next few years. I'm not in the need of a professional series jack. I'll probably upgrade to one in a few years once a garage and track car come into play, but for right now I just need something that will work for about 2-3 years and do what I need it to - get me up on stands 3-4 times a year for rotations.

Jack preference seems to be as varied as opinions about vehicles. Pretend I know nothing about what brand has what reputation - because I don't. Not anymore. I know that I'm really not in the market for the big boys right now, unfortunately.

I do understand that I get what I pay for, but I'm on a bit of a budget - otherwise, I'd just pay to get my tires rotated until I got a nice jack.

Opinions? I'm hoping to keep the jack in the $75-$125 range, hopefully. And one that has enough height to get the back on stands, while fitting under the car (A-spec suspension, body kit, not lowered otherwise).

Thanks.

 

I have a craftsman floor jack, i believe it was ~$75, and 2 sets of jackstands from Orielly, i think $20/set. If you are at sears might as well check the prices and get them there if comparable.

They work well for me, cheap, and the jack can reach the under car jack points on the TL just fine.

 

The following can be purchased from Sears/KMart:
Craftsman 2-1/4 ton Floor Jack with 2-1/4 ton Jack Stands $79.95

Jack isn't the greatest, but it will get you by. I have 2 professional floor jacks that have lasted for years, but the price was around $250/$300 each.

 

I have an aluminum craftsman professional jack and i love how light it is and it really helps with cars that are lowered. If i had to buy another jack it would definitely be another aluminum craftsman professional jack.

 

I bought this last month for $40 on sale. Decent set, something I also expect to last me 2-3 years.

 

Harbor Freight has some decent prices. Just inspect the build quality of the jack stands.

 

+1. Also for a very minimal price you can get a lifetime warranty tacked on to the Jack @ HF stores. On top of that add on the 20% coupon that you can find pretty easily you should be able to get say a 13 - 15 lift low profile jack for around $100 (if you car is lowered0 or a lower lift regular profile jack for around $65 - 70. Pair of Stands (15" or more) should run you around $25 at HF.

Now you may be tempted to compare this to $75 from KMART but you will be getting a much better set than the cheaper Craftsman (just this set not the brand), which has probably doesn't have enough stand height. Now if you are getting a more sturdier Craftsman to match HF specs thats gonna run you a good $200+.

 

Get what you pay for? It's a steel frame support and a simple hydraulic jack for a sedan!

I've used the same $60 jack/stand combo for over 5 years, countless oil changes, and 7 different vehicles amongst family/friends...just get whatever and be done with it. The only consideration you need to realize is height limitations.

Really on a budget? Grab some 2x8s from HD and make a DIY ramp.

 

Ramps are great for quick oil changes but do not work for other work such as tire rotation or brake changes etc.

Also forgot to mention, if you get a jack with low lift height, you can use some spare wood and place the jack on top of it to get more height. Just make sure to get a high enough stand. Also a creeper may not be bad idea.

 

I still like mine that I recommend in this old thread.

Jack height recommended for TL (click here)

 

I usually get my jacks at northern tool. They usually have good products from what I have seen. I got my stands from wal mart. Cheap and effective.

 

I picked up the Craftsman 3 Ton jack and 2.25 Ton stands today.

 

Quick update - both products worked beautifully. Jack is very robust (read: heavy), and I felt secure working on the car up on the stands. I went with the 2.25 ton stands because the only 3 ton stands they had were high-lift. The 3 ton jack had enough lift to clear the rear stands just fine.

 

I have four Craftsman jack stands plus two floor jacks. Nice to have in the inventory.

 

+2... i bought my jack here... 3ton for $60... plus an addt'l $8 for the lifetime warranty you can't beat it... i just saw a coupon in the latest ad they mail to my house... i think this week is low profile jack for 80$... when i went shopping for it, they ran out of the low profile jacks so i got the regular one... if the car is too low to clear the jack, i drive the car up on blocks of wood then jack up from there... works like a dream...

 

Make sure you get some decent wheel chocks for when you only lift the front or rear. An even better added safety precaution is whenever you remove a wheel/tire is to put it under a side of the car.

I agree working with a lift and a pit is so convenient. If I could afford it I'd get a drive-on rack. But since I don't have one, I try to be as safe as I can. I love Craftsman too and most of my tools are Craftsman including my jack stands but I don't trust any company or product enough or feel that any amount of money saved is worth losing a hand or an arm or worse