So I have the little aluminum Hazard Fraught jack. It has served me well for easy light service but when lifting the GS430 it's neither strong or tall enough to get me to the danger point of my HF jack stands.
Now HF has a ridiculous variety of jacks, is there a better value? Is there a better one? I do not need an ultra light aluminum one, the heavy boy works fine. The GS and the Miata suspended Panhard dictate a slightly lower point of entry. Budget is $230osh or less.
I've got the 2.5 ton HF aluminum one and I'm happy with it. Lift height is 19" , from memory. I also have a 3.5 ton AC Delco beast for heavier stuff. It doesn't get a lot of use because it's so heavy. It will lift just over 20".
Edit: HF currently shows 3 ton low profile steel jacks, for $75 on clearance.......https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/floor-jacks/3-ton-low-profile-rapid-pump-floor-jack-64264.html
I highly recommend the Arcan jacks. I have the XL2T. I had to get one that could fit under a pretty low car and reach the subframe to lift. Works great but it is a monster. Weights close to 100lbs. It's close to your max budget but I think you would be well served. The valve on it is very easy to modulate. Its a dual piston setup. Sturdy. I have to open the valve, then slide the jack under the car, slip in the handle, close the valve, and get like 1" of pump. Still get the car up pretty quick. Definitely not one to put in the trunk and travel with.
Northern Tool sells them. Shipping is high cause its heavy as heck.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200514333_200514333
TL:DR - Fits low cars. Long reach. Nice quality. Heavy. Buy a hockey puck.
Harbor Hammer has a low-profile, long reach jack that's great for low vehicles with the jack point behind the engine and strong enough to lift a typical 4x4 pickup truck. 3-ton capacity and goes down to 3-1/4" and up to 24-1/4". I have same jack in a 2-ton capacity that they don't make any more and it's very handy. The price is $199.99.
They have a "Super Duty" version for $229.99, but the minimum is higher and the maximum is lower (3-3/4 in. to 23-1/8 in)
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-low-profile-super-duty-rapid-pump-floor-jack-63183.html
Ok, I just surprised the crap out of myself, I thought my jack was only a few years old, but I bought it 8 years ago after checking on here. It's only gone up $30 in 8 years, which isn't bad. https://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=67 I bought this after I got tired of the $100 HF jacks failing after a couple of years. If I had to buy another, I'd buy this one again in a heart beat.
Horrible Freight Super Duty jack here. Its outstanding. I've had a lot of floor jacks in my day and this is a winner.
I recently bought the 2 ton Arcan from Amazon. 19" lift. It works quite nicely.
The equivalent blue Pittsburg from hf only lifted to 16"
Didnt snap on sue harbor freight over one of their Daytona Jack's recently. Basically the same jack, some sorta settlement and the Hf jack is still on sale?
About 430 for jack.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:I've got the 2.5 ton HF aluminum one and I'm happy with it. Lift height is 19" , from memory. I also have a 3.5 ton AC Delco beast for heavier stuff. It doesn't get a lot of use because it's so heavy. It will lift just over 20".
Edit: HF currently shows 3 ton low profile steel jacks, for $75 on clearance.......https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/floor-jacks/3-ton-low-profile-rapid-pump-floor-jack-64264.html
This is what I have and for the price, you can't beat it. *sometimes* wish the low pro portion was a bit longer, but otherwise has been great.
I just got an email with a coupon for the 3 ton low profile long reach super duty on sale for $199 if you need encouragement. I would still go with the non-super duty with the lower 3-1/4" minimum and higher 24-1/4" maximum, unless you need to do a lot of jacking close to the 3 ton limit.
Fueled by Caffeine said:Didnt snap on sue harbor freight over one of their Daytona Jack's recently. Basically the same jack, some sorta settlement and the Hf jack is still on sale?
https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/
Looks like Snap-on left with their tail between their legs. "No comment"
accordionfolder said:Fueled by Caffeine said:Didnt snap on sue harbor freight over one of their Daytona Jack's recently. Basically the same jack, some sorta settlement and the Hf jack is still on sale?
https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/
Looks like Snap-on left with their tail between their legs. "No comment"
That sounds a lot like Snap-on didn't want people to find out they were selling a Chinese made jack for $600.
I will add that the Low Profile HF jack is awesome. I have two at the house and one at the office. The oldest is 10+ years old and other than the occasional shot of grease hasn't needed anything.
Bjorn 1349 said:I highly recommend the Arcan jacks. I have the XL2T. I had to get one that could fit under a pretty low car and reach the subframe to lift. Works great but it is a monster. Weights close to 100lbs. It's close to your max budget but I think you would be well served. The valve on it is very easy to modulate. Its a dual piston setup. Sturdy. I have to open the valve, then slide the jack under the car, slip in the handle, close the valve, and get like 1" of pump. Still get the car up pretty quick. Definitely not one to put in the trunk and travel with.
Northern Tool sells them. Shipping is high cause its heavy as heck.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200514333_200514333
TL:DR - Fits low cars. Long reach. Nice quality. Heavy. Buy a hockey puck.
I also have an arcan low/long reach. Its great, and I dont think its terribly heavy for what it is.
Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:accordionfolder said:Fueled by Caffeine said:Didnt snap on sue harbor freight over one of their Daytona Jack's recently. Basically the same jack, some sorta settlement and the Hf jack is still on sale?
https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/
Looks like Snap-on left with their tail between their legs. "No comment"
That sounds a lot like Snap-on didn't want people to find out they were selling a Chinese made jack for $600.
Wow, indeed.
HF also claims , "same factory"!
https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/
Harbor Freight also alleged Snap-on’s jacks were made in the same factory as the Harbor Freight ones and the company’s business model is what caused a higher price. Snap-on denied those allegations in its response.
I have a green HF 3ton low profile jack and the 2 ton aluminum one and both can lift my suburban and avalanche without issue. The 3ton is portly, robust, but not a ball breaker. It is also the only jack I have that can slide under my lowered Ranger from the front and don't have to do the side to side lift.
Just picked up the Pittsburgh brand / bright red / rapid pump / low profile / 3 tonner from Hammer Store, and 1 week in, love it alot better than the 20 year old HF regular profile 2 1/4 tonner that it replaced. No more need to drive the Exocet or Civic Si up on 2 x 4's before using the jack, and it's max height is higher to boot. All that for $99 with the coupon in the latest flyer.
To prove how well things tend to work out my FIL ran to grab the 40ft trailer for the Challenge. In turn he needed to remove all 6 wheels because they were crap. He left his old jack at home. I suggested Hazard Fraught and he picked up that same $99 red Pittsburg one. I happily paid him for it and now I'm off to lift anything I darned well please!
I have a Daytona and so far it's been great, definitely can't beat them for the price. If you get a coupon by mail it makes it even better
I picked up an AC Hydraulics jack used off Craigslist about ten years ago. The thing is amazing, long reach, something like a 2" low saddle, lifts to 39". Not cheap new tho...
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