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Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, USA
Posts: 4,499
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I'm amazed by how many people are posting, "I want a great jack but I don't want to spend much," or "Well, maybe the so-and-so jack is good but it's too expensive."
I want a new 911, but I don't want to spend more than $20,000.
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Stephan Wilkinson '83 911SC Gold-Plated Porsche '04 replacement Boxster |
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03-29-2010, 03:41 PM
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2002 996 C4S
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In looking around a lot in the past week I have found there are the cheap jacks - under $100 - some as low as $29 for two tons (which seems a bit insane.) Torin is at the top of this range.
OTC seems to fit the low to mid range - at $130 and up. And then there are the better jacks - $200 to $500. Ranger, OTC (higher end), Quik-Lift, etc. And then the really expensive jacks - $700 and up - probably shop quality - which are too much for me. I am thinking that if you are risking your life and/or significant damage to your car, it makes sense to get a jack that will not cause problems, will last a few years AND that has a lot of lift - for those engine drops. The Ranger that someone posted earlier in this thread is still out there for about $360. Amazing height from 3.5" to 31.5". Model RFJ2TX if you want to find it via a search. Our host has a bunch from OTC that are under $200 - the only issue is height. But I may go that route.... Still looking for specific feedback on any of these brands or any I may have missed. Looks like the holy grail of jacks by AC Hydraulic has gone away.... anyone know what happened to them? The company is still around - but no jacks out there for sale.
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jcsjcs Have: '02 996 C4S Had: '87 944, '84 911 Carrera Targa |
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03-29-2010, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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03-29-2010, 04:40 PM
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I bought an ARCAN jack at Costco for a little under $100. I think I saw them for under $90 a couple weeks ago. It's just barely slim enough that I can get to the A-arm mount points, and lifts plenty high. (I'm sure you'd have to get creative for an engine drop though.)
I think it's rated for 3 tons. So even though it's cheap I figure I'll get good use out of it with my car that weighs less than half that.
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Aaron '81 911SC RoW Targa |
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03-29-2010, 04:51 PM
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Harbor Freight actually sells a pretty good jack for about $100. Low profile, high lift 3 ton.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91039 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92782
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Kyle 1980 911sc 3.2 Turbo, 930 Trans 2006 BMW 330i 6mt (DD) Last edited by flat6pilot; 03-29-2010 at 05:03 PM.. |
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03-29-2010, 04:54 PM
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dazed and confused
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VERY happy with this jack...Arcan Quick Lift Service Jack — 3 1/2-Ton, Model# XL35 ...heavy, well built...feels like it will hold up...on sale now at Arcan Quick Lift Service Jack — 3 1/2-Ton, Model# XL35 | Floor Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment
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89 Carrera 3.2 Targa 2011 BMW 335d 2013 BMW X3 3.5 80 911 SC Weissach Coupe (Sold) 
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03-29-2010, 05:22 PM
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I just got that 3,000lb capacity jack at Harbor Freight this weekend, FINALLY!
Originally $99, on sale for $79, I also used the 20% off coupon, $68 out the door. This is the jack that comes recommended as an inexpensive but somewhat nice jack in many other threads here. It sure looks the part, the anodized aluminum is slick, but I'm still suspicious as to how long it will last...
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88' Carrera, Black/Black/Black, "Murdered Out" OEM. 06' BMW 'M' Roadster (Wife's car and WAY faster than mine) |
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03-29-2010, 05:27 PM
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2002 996 C4S
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Really liking the Arcan that John Baldwin posted - 21" height. The Harbor Freight Aluminum (and non-aluminum) are tempting - but they don't have the height.
What's the advantage of aluminum other than weight? Too light and I get nervous.
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jcsjcs Have: '02 996 C4S Had: '87 944, '84 911 Carrera Targa |
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03-29-2010, 05:36 PM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
Posts: 4,048
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  5 Ton Air:Hydraulic Floor Jack - Greg Smith Equipment Sales, Inc..webarchive I got this jack recently and love it. I wanted an air-hydraulic jack because pumping up my old jack is too hard on my back. This is well balanced, moves in place easily, and pumps up to max height in seconds with air. It has a foot pedal to get things started. a three-position handle lock, and a very precise and easy to use let-down valve. Mine was on sale for $299 but at $399 it is still a bargain. Best, Tom Forgot the link: http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/5-Ton-Air-Hydraulic-Floor-Jack-p/htalfj5.htm
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 Last edited by mossguy; 03-29-2010 at 05:43 PM.. |
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03-29-2010, 05:41 PM
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I have a craftsman professional, 3 ton.. 5 years and no issues... not sure why your having issues with craftsman.
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83 SC Targa -- 3.2SS, GT2-108 Dougherty Cams, 9.5:1 JE Pistons, Supertec Studs, PMO ITB's, MS2 EFI, SSI's, Recurved Dizzy, MSD, Backdated Dansk Sport Stainless 2 in 1 out, Elephant Polybronze, Turbo Tie Rods, Bilstein HD's, Hollow 21-27 TBs, Optima Redtop 34R, Griffiths-ZIMS AC, Seine Shifter, Elephant Racing Oil Cooling. |
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03-29-2010, 07:25 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: agoura hills, ca 91301
Posts: 2,634
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My low-profile Grainger (sp?) is now leaking.
Still my itty-bitty made in China, 30-year old, jack is still working.
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03-29-2010, 07:45 PM
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Formerly known as Syzygy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 4,420
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It seems that the older jacks, whether made in China or where ever, seem to be of better quality.
I suppose this is a symptom of today's make it as cheap as possible, throw away society. Go buy a new coffee machine with all the bells and whistles, and it might last 12 months before it craps out. The one your grandparents have, that they bought two and a half decades ago is still firing up with pleasing odours every morning at 6:30. This also would apply to hair dryers, stereo equipment, automobiles...
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Kevin 1987 ROW coupe, Marine blue, with a couple extra goodies. The cars we love the best are the ones with human traits, warts and all. |
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03-29-2010, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
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03-29-2010, 08:59 PM
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No problem to get an AC here in Europe... Don't know why in the USA?
Concerning smooth lowering: Are you're AC's maybe fake? Mine acts really smooth and some others I've seen too. One of the best jacks for sure
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Roland 930 Turbo '81 Too many modifications to list |
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03-30-2010, 12:00 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CA
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  What happend? They broke on duty? Tell us about it so we can learn. Quote:
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Fat butt 911, 1987 |
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03-30-2010, 12:01 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: agoura hills, ca 91301
Posts: 2,634
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Pelican was out of the AC models, so I found the Ranger. I was so happy for a while, then it started to leak.
 Anyone has ideas on how to repair and fill this unit with jack oil? 
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03-31-2010, 01:32 PM
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Schleprock
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Frankfort IL USA
Posts: 16,640
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The H-F jack that's always talked about and occasionally goes on sale w/coupon is a POS. Don't go there. You're just throwing money away.
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Kevin L '86 Carrera "Larry" |
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03-31-2010, 03:08 PM
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Lots of folks love to bash on harbor freight, but I've had my lightweight harbor freight jack for several years of trouble free service lifting every vehicle in our household many times - trucks, vans, Porsches, Renaults, Triumphs, go karts, plus friends cars etc... I keep it clean and verify oil level every so often and it works perfect. It's also light enough to carry around instead of needing to drag it. It goes very low and quite high for its size. I love good quality tools, but when good enough works perfect I'll take my money saved and use it on parts.
Karl |
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03-31-2010, 04:54 PM
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Quote:
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Silver '88 RoW Carrera Grey '06 A4 Avant |
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03-31-2010, 10:25 PM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
Posts: 4,048
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AC DK13 HLQ max lifting height: 29.2" Looks like we have a winner!! Best, Tom
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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03-31-2010, 10:45 PM
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1984 Porsche Carrera Targa 3.2 - Stock
1974 Porsche 911 targa 2.7
Greta
"LC"
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera
2006 BMW 'M Roadster'
911E
1988 Porsche Carrera 3.2
