What hydraulic jack...........?

[Seerlah]

do you use? I am looking for a low profile hydraulic jack, as in the future (when I get lowered) I do not want to use the wood block method to achieve clearance. I searched a couple threads and that Costco one seems to be the better ones I came across (the one onemoremile owns).



But sad part is there is not a Costco around my residence and the ones listed on thier website are not the one in the pic above, and they offer free shipping .

I am looking to not spend more than $100 on one, and have so far found the cheapest yet more durable one at Walmart (can not recall the brand name, but it was like $85). I was just curious as to what hydraulic jack you guys (or gals) use?

Thanks!

[AudiA4_20T]

small big red onee from advance

[Seerlah]

Do they carry low profile ones and how much? Thanks!

[Vreihenmotor6]

the cheapest you'll find a nice low profile one is around 150 to 175ish

harbor freight and northern tools have nice ones

[Seerlah]

That Costco one pictured above is $69. Everywhere else I looked has pricey low profile/race jacks. In the price range you just listed. I am thinking to wait it out for an ebay special, but am reluctant as I am rather posotive I could find one for cheaper. I would even be inclined to take a road trip to the nearest Costco for the one pictured above.

[biketsai]

I just use the cheap $20-30 jack that weighs like 20-30lbs.
Unlike bigger hydraulic jacks, this one can actually lift the rockers without driving onto a block of wood

[onemoremile]

That Costco one is a heavy bitch but has been bulletproof for several years now. I've gone through several of the lightweight aluminum racing jacks. The aluminum jacks are nicer but you'll have to spend a lot more money to get one worth owning. Otherwise they blow seals and have other serious problems.

[Seerlah]

Just bought an Aluminum Torso 3 ton race jack for $55. Hopefully, it was not a waste of the $55.

[onemoremile]

All three of the ones I had went up fine but then slowly sank back down. They worked great for a little while but all had the same result. One was a leaky piston seal and another shot hydraulic fluid out of the bleeder valve hole and onto the ceiling while slowly sinking.

[Seerlah]

I picked up some jack stands while at it, as warning from other threads. 2 1/2 ton Craftsman. Hopefully, they last if I use them properly.

[onemoremile]

The jack stands should be fine. If you are doing a lot of work on the car then pick up a second set of the taller SUV stands. Even with the car on those I have to slide under it on a piece of cardboard rather than the creeper.

[Seerlah]

I actually just place on some dirty dirty clothes and lay my *** on the concrete. But I am going to pick up a second pair or jacks in a little while. Not just yet though.

And OT, could you help me out in the other thread I posted? Thanks!

[baboom]

when buying a jack don't always go for the cheapest ones.. i spent 280 on my blue point hydro jack.. have had it for 5 years and not a drop of hydrolic fluid anywhere!! and thats with using it atleast 6 times a week!!

[djwimbo]

I picked up some jack stands while at it, as warning from other threads. 2 1/2 ton Craftsman. Hopefully, they last if I use them properly.

those should last a long time. On the chance that whatever you're holding up falls over and the jack stand tips over, they get crushed pretty easy.

As far as low-pro jacks we had a decent one from Harbor Freight for ~$140, a week later a better one went on sale at Sears for $150. The alum jacks are nice, but I'll deal with the additional weight of steel, I'm not racing with the jack in the car.

[onemoremile]

Also get a saddle pad from PureMS. It will prevent crushing the pinch weld. Or you could cut a 2x4 halfway through against the grain. The pinch weld sits in the slot with the weight resting on the flats.

http://www.purems.com/products/product.php?II=833

[Seerlah]

I found a technique to lift my vehicle. I got a 2x4 about 2 1/2 feet long and place the jack underneath it between the front and rear pinch wells. Lift up one side of the car and place jack stands on the pinch welds. Then go to the opposite side and do the same. I just don't know how safe that technique is bc when lowering the vehicle, it is hard to find that sweet spot (on the release lever) and the weight balance can easily be thrown off.

If I just need to lift one end, I have Rhino ramps. If it comes to me needing to lift the front to take off both wheels, I will need to find another technique. Probably just get that pad you pictured and lift one corner, place a jack, then do the other side.

I read a thread where you said you lift it on a peice if subframe behind the front sway bar for the front, and the rear differential in the rear. But my jack could not get that far underneath without running out of space before rubbing the bumper.