How Big a Hydraulic Jack??

[larry47us]

I am getting a 73 911E Targa, and want to buy a hydraulic jack for the garage. I have read some of the posts about the Craftsman, Sam's, Costco, Pelican jacks, but the question I have is . . . . . . How big a jack do I really need?

They start about 2 ton and go up to 3.5 ton and more. I know that the early cars weigh in the range of 2400 pounds, so the 2 ton jack should be enough, but is Bigger better/safer? Is the quality of the jack better in the larger ones, or is it just heavier? Do the larger jacks allow you to lower slowly onto your jack stands?

Whatcha think?

larry

[IROC]

My 2.25 ton works just fine. I've even used it on vehicles weighing alot more than my 911 and it's just fine (like the neighbor's half ton GMC pickup last weekend).

Mike

[Doug Steinel]

I have found that the strength of the jack isn't the limiting factor. You want a jack you can slide under the front wishbones to lift the front and one that will slide under the engine seam with a board on it to lift the rear. Also, if you will do an engine removal, it would be nice to have some lift height to get the tub high on jack stands.

[azasadny]

I found that the limitinf factor for me is the full height the jack will reach. IMHO, 17.5 in is not enough!

[B D]

A 2 ton jack will do the job, clearance can be a factor. Do you know about the jack pad tool?

[Emission]

Bigger is sturdier - but also bulkier meaning the jack won't slide under low vehicles.

I have the jack pad tool, but I rarely use it as I more often want the entire rear or front jacked. It is rare I just jack one side.

[larry47us]

Originally posted by B D
A 2 ton jack will do the job, clearance can be a factor. Do you know about the jack pad tool?

Yes, I am familiar with this tool.

Thanks for the advice. I can now do a bit of shopping.

larry

[widebody911]

This is a hydraulic jack:

[HarryD]

Larry,

I just got the 3.5 ton jack from Costco. My old jack (20 year old 2 ton Craftsman) was perfrectly fine for home garaging. Unfortunately, it died and the repair would cost more than the Costco jack.

The Costco is 4" fully lowered and 21" fully exteneded. While it weighs a ton, it is quite nice and a deal for the $$$.

[Jay Auskin]

My advice is to get a jack with the "relief" valve operation in the handle. It's useful for quick stops as you are lowering, and for lowering the vehicle, or engine slowly. I bought mine form Sears.

[azasadny]

Thom's got the right idea!!

[ChrisBennet]

Once upon a time an inexpensive jack would last. Now the standard store jack (like Sears sells) is made in China and the pistons finish quality is not that great so it wears out the seals and if you use them much you wind up replacing the jack after a few years. My Sears jack lasted 2 or 3 years. I cursed it every time my car slammed down on the jack stands so I was happy it died. I would now be on my 2nd of 3rd (crappy) $100 jack by now if I hadn't bought a nice quality $300 jack to replace the one that failed. It cost more but it ended up being cheaper in the end. To top it all off, the nice jack lifts higher, goes lower and lowers smoother than the Sears one did.
-Chris

[911pcars]

My "made in China" floor jack I inherited from a friend 30 years ago still works. It has even developed an easy-down feature that's gentle on the jack stands. However, this feature is the current default mode. I'll be looking around for a replacement soon.

Sherwood

[DanS911]

Nice, Thom Lots of jealous guys sitting on their hands now!

[larry47us]

Thom:

OK, very very jealous. Now, in addition to convincing my wife that it was worth it to spend the money on the Porsche, I have to convince her to dig up the floor of the garage!!! No way!!

But seriously, I did go to Costco and bought their lift. $69, 4" lowest, 21" highest, quick lift to chassis, handle release, 3 1/2 tons. Made by Arcane, if that means anything. Looks like a decent unit for the money. Time will tell.

I was thinking of one of the Sears units - comes with jack stands, or a creeper, etc, until you guys were ragging on their quality. OK, don't need those problems.

larry

[Emission]

I have the Costco unit too.

Tip: When you are done and storing the jack, untwist the handle to take the pressure off the gasket (the jack should be all the way down). It will last much longer before the seal fails.

[Zeke]

What they sell today as a 2 1/2 ton jack years ago would have been a monster. And they lasted a lifetime. Hein Warner and all that. If I were to start all over, I'd get Wayne's low profile, high lift gizmo. But I have 3 floor jacks, 2 under $100 jobs and one of those Harbor Freight alum units. It'll be awhile before I run out of jacks. BTW, when you have 3, you find ways to use all 3 at once.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by larry47us
Thom:

OK, very very jealous. Now, in addition to convincing my wife that it was worth it to spend the money on the Porsche, I have to convince her to dig up the floor of the garage!!! No way!!

But seriously, I did go to Costco and bought their lift. $69, 4" lowest, 21" highest, quick lift to chassis, handle release, 3 1/2 tons. Made by Arcane, if that means anything. Looks like a decent unit for the money. Time will tell.

I was thinking of one of the Sears units - comes with jack stands, or a creeper, etc, until you guys were ragging on their quality. OK, don't need those problems.

larry

If you need stands, go over to harbor freight, they have some nice 3 ton units.

[lapue]

Larry
I bought a AC hydraulic jack model dk13hlq from Pelican about a year ago and I coud't be happier. It will lift my car a full 29 inches quickly and safely, it's a little pricey at $399 but worth it. Only reget is I didn't purchase it earlier.
Bill

[vash]

my next jack will be the Ac hydraulic. i hate my china model. sometimes it just has a mind of its own. to bad i have some car stuff to buy first. i will get one from pelican soon.