New floor jack

[Jamul74]

Picked this bad boy up at Costco this weekend. After comparing it to the "aluminum racing jack" in Griots catalog for $599, I can assure you that it is the EXACT same jack from all structural appearances. This one is painted and is a 1.5 ton. I'm jacked!

[Jamul74]

Oh forgot, price $279 vs $599

[Jack Olsen]

You should have done a search on Pelican. It's $179 at Harbor Freight.

[Jamul74]

Jack you have it all wrong! See that checkered flag on the side....thas what I'm talkin bout..$100

ps Its looking good but..since I don't have any jack stands I guess I'm relegated to "dry pumps"

[Jack Olsen]

True, the checkered flag means 'victory,' and we all know, winning ain't cheap.

And in fact, the Costco model could be better/different than the Harbor Freight one. Either way, you got an aluminum race jack for half the going rate.

[Adam]

Dan,

What's that hiding under the car cover? It's wearing Fuchs...

[RickM]

Seems those aluminum jacks are all the rage right now. Everyone is selling them. Dan, what height will your Costco model reach?

[Jamul74]

Dave,
The manufacturer for the COSTCO model is Big Roc Industries out of El Monte. Height it goes up to is , I think 17.5 inches, low is 3.5 inches.
Adam, that is the wifey's 95 XJS convertible under the cover, don't think the wheels are fuchs but they are nice wheels!

[KTL]

Where's the wheels on the front of that jack?

Go to Sam's club (Allied brand) or Sears (Craftsman brand) and get one that is sturdier, albeit heavier, and has a higher lifting range of about 20 in.

Around $100!

If we're shopping at Harbor Freight, i'd rather have one of these or one of these longfellows just for the added lifting height alone!

We're all men here (except for a few I think). We can pick up a semi-heavy jack if we have to!

[pwd72s]

I'm with Kevin here...unless, of course, you want to carry a floor jack in your trunk. I'll admit to being a cheapskate...

[Cornpanzer]

Well,
I already have a big whoppin floor jack to lift heavy cars. However, now that my fun cars consist of a 67 VW and a 911 I dont see any reason to have a heavy jack. I want to buy one of the aluminum ones for convinience and so I can quit doing irrepairable damage to my back when I throw my floor jack into the truck when the VW goes to the dragstrip

[masraum]

I've got the same jack from Harbour Freight. It looks the same to me, 3000lbs, 3.5 to 17.5 sounds the same, same big roller for the front, same rubber padded seat, and Harbour Freight has started selling them in colors. Oh, yeah, 37.4 lbs.

[KTL]

I'm all for a good deal and the HF alum. jack certainly fits that description.

Just be careful with it. Others have mentioned that the pad can break:

Here (sift through the ethnic mudslinging)

And Here

Hate to see anybody hurt!

The big, cheap jacks won't last forever i'm sure. The seals apparently go south and don't want to hold a load. Usually this is a gradual, not sudden problem after years of good use. You pretty much have to throw the jack in the dumpster and get another. Sometimes it's just that someone pumped the jack when the valve wasn't closed. Get the saddle up and put a load on it while releasing the handle. See if this fixes your problem. If not? Have it serviced (if possible) or junk it.

[fduvall]

So any consensus on the best CHEAP jack? Should I go to Sear's? Thanks.

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

Ok, I was just at Checker Auto last night and they had a jack on sale for $69 that went to 19" in height. I forget the maximum weight, but it was pretty solid. I'd check there first and save me some $$$ since it will probably work the same Oh, and it "looked" cool too

[Jack Olsen]

Cheap jacks are readily available.

Race jacks are different animals altogether. They allow for cars with much lower clearance, go up to full extension with far fewr pumps, and are light enough to throw in your trunk. Up until recently, guys have happily paid $500-$600 for them.

If all you're looking for is a good garage jack, then I'd suggest going to Sears and getting a steel one. It's the right tool for the simple job of lifting up your car.

[Amac]

Dan S.
Have the same jack, had it six months works great.
I take mine to the track, It's much lighter and lower
than my steel floor jack.
A friend has one of the Harbor Freight jacks, the one
we have is of much better quality.

[Wayne 962]

The AC hydraulic line is my favorite, and my choice for my garage. We're currently selling these, but they haven't made it into the catalog quite yet...

-Wayne

[KTL]

How about adding those AC jackstands too? They're sweet.

I'm itching for a set of those.

[masraum]

have you guys seen the kinesismotorsports jacks and jackstands?? WOW!!