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Posted by: Garold Shaffer Nov 25 2011, 10:46 AM

A few years ago I bought a craftmans 50240 aluminum low profile floor jack. Since my car is lowered (among other things) for Axing so I wanted something I could take with me to the events that would be able to lift the car at the donuts.

After 6 months the damn thing started leaking fluid. I was able to fix it by replacing the leaking O-ring. It seems every 4-6 months I need to replace this #$!@$#!!! O-ring.

I have had enough, every time I want to use it it leaks and now one of the caster wheels has cracked and doesn't roll. I am not going to fix this POS anymore. When I make my next run to the scrap yard it's going to meet its final destiny.

I do have a nice heavy duty floor jack I can use for my other vehicals, but it doesn't go low enought to fit under the 914.

So.................. Any recommendations on a good quality low profile floor jack? It would be nice if it was somewhat lite weight so I don't have to break back trying to lift in my truck.

Thanks

Posted by: Sawfish Nov 25 2011, 10:50 AM

Sears should replace it for free, if not the aluminum jacks from harbor freight are a good inexpensive alternative

Posted by: malaga_red75 Nov 25 2011, 10:54 AM

Sears will replace any tool, no matter how old, no questions asked... I broke a 1/2" socket drive using a cheater bar and they replaced it no problem.

-Peter

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Nov 25 2011, 10:54 AM

Nope, that is only for their handtools. I don't what a harbor frieght jack either. I want something that will last and not need to be replaced.

Posted by: rick 918-S Nov 25 2011, 11:02 AM

I just bought a low profile jack from HF. 100.00. It's a rapid pump jack. It goes from 2 5/8 to 20" high. Most don't lift that high.

Posted by: kg6dxn Nov 25 2011, 11:10 AM

I have the HF low pro aluminum jack. Works great, never a problem.

Posted by: underthetire Nov 25 2011, 11:17 AM

We had a safety flier at work about aluminum jacks. They were a name brand one, and while lifting a car in our service shop, the thing cracked in half. Damaged the car, and scared the crap out of the mechanic. (we have on site a maintenance shop).

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 25 2011, 11:33 AM

I've had one of the HF aluminum rapid pumps for 6 years. Works great, no leaks, light weight. As with any jack, its for jacking only. Always use jackstands.

Posted by: underthetire Nov 25 2011, 11:56 AM

You do know you can buy the replacement warranty at hf as well. If it craps out for any reason, bring it back and they hand you a new one. Would still be cheaper than a name brand one, that is still made in china anyway.

Posted by: Spoke Nov 25 2011, 01:12 PM

If it's Craftsman, Sears should replace it. I took a shovel back to them after about 15 years when the spade cracked. No sales receipt, no problem. The guy picked one off of the shelf, I signed a receipt and out I walked.

Posted by: zonedoubt Nov 25 2011, 01:54 PM

It must be different for each store. I went into a Sears with a broken socket driver and they clerk said they can't replace it unless it has a serial number stamped on the tool.

Posted by: Tom_T Nov 25 2011, 02:27 PM

This isn't lightweight, but is lifts from 2.5" to almost 24" hi - best range I've found, made by Pittsburgh Automotive & sold at HF & maybe elsewhere....

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/floor-jacks/rapid-pump-2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-68050.html

Posted by: scotty b Nov 25 2011, 02:37 PM

NAPA has a STEEL low profile for 300.00 IIRC I believe it is rated at 3 or 4000 Probably one of my next purchases as I am getting too many cars in that I can't get my " standard " jack under without removing the plate first

Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 25 2011, 02:56 PM

I have 3 of those lightweight Sears Craftsman floor jacks - all 3 now leak and are about 3 years old. Two weeks ago Sears said they only warranty hand tools for life, not jacks.

Posted by: PanelBilly Nov 25 2011, 03:03 PM

Costco has a steel one that I'm happy to own

Posted by: Andyrew Nov 25 2011, 04:44 PM

My friend has a costco one, and I have the harbor fright one (similar to whats listed above, They change the details on them out every few months to make them look different).


I LOVE my HF jack. Super high lift on it and very low profile. Pretty sure I paid ~90 for it.

Not lightweight, no, but I wouldnt trust a lightweight version with my life. This steel, HEAVY duty one Im more inclined to (I still use stands though).

Posted by: Gint Nov 25 2011, 06:10 PM

Sears only lifetime warranties Craftsman hand tools.

When I got to buy a low profile, high lift jack I'm probably going to spend decent money. I'm tired of cheap jacks myself.

Posted by: Mark Henry Nov 25 2011, 06:24 PM

Two post lift

What??? it's hydraulic and it lifts the car....
I don't think they come in lightweight aluminium though.

Posted by: Jacob Nov 25 2011, 08:02 PM

2-ton service jack. Made in USA. 3-3/4" - 20". 96 lbs. $309.00
http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/2-Ton-Service-Jack-Made-in-the-USA-P15106.aspx
Don't know anything about them, just found it on the internet.

Posted by: Gint Nov 25 2011, 08:40 PM

I'm shopping for something like this:

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/2-Ton-Extra-Low-Profile-Service-Jack-P56617.aspx

What I'd really like to have is something more like this, but closer to $350-400:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1_pg1.htm

Posted by: majkos Nov 25 2011, 09:20 PM

You think you have it by the time we're ready to put your motor in?
They're NICE!!

Posted by: Gint Nov 25 2011, 10:24 PM

Nope. But we're past that hurdle already.

Sorry for the hijack Garold. I found another jack worth looking at. I'll post the link in a jif.

Here we go. I'm looking at the RFJ2TX $360 with free shipping. http://www.asedeals.com/Ranger_floor_jacks.html

Posted by: hot_shoe914 Nov 25 2011, 11:00 PM

My friend and I both have the light weight low profile rapid lift jack from HF that we use at AX, no problems and work great. Yes, we use jackstands too for safety.

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Nov 25 2011, 11:11 PM

Dont need a two post lift I have this nice midrise that works for me.



Gint I like the first one you mentioned

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/2-Ton-Extra-Low-Profile-Service-Jack-P56617.aspx

I will check out the HF jacks also, I just dont want any junk. I'm not a HF snob as I do have a few air tools and such from there and have been very happy with them.

Posted by: Gint Nov 26 2011, 11:15 AM

Yeah, a lift doesn't negate the need for a nice high lift jack.

If I'm going to spend that much money, I want to go higher than 20". I have a leaky 19" lift jack (that has needed repair for a long time) and it's not high enough.

Posted by: Rand Nov 26 2011, 11:20 AM

Some irony there. My HF jack has held up longer than your Sears unit. Don't mean anything by this, just had to chuckle. I think there's an illustration here.
If you are going to insist on paying extra for a name, then you should insist on them standing behind their product. If you don't, the whole point of it is lost. If you insist and they fail....Well, irony.

Posted by: Gint Nov 26 2011, 11:29 AM

No surprise there. Sears jacks aren't any better than HF units.

For the price I'm tempted to try this one. I'd still like a higher lift jack, but again, the price on this is pretty tempting. But that's how they getchya.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/floor-jacks/rapid-pump-2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-68050.html

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 26 2011, 03:58 PM

my jack has been has gathering dust since I got my 2 post.

Posted by: andys Nov 26 2011, 05:51 PM

I've been through two HF floor jacks that both bleed down (not just leak). I have an old off brand one that has never leaked and is as good as gold, so I suppose you could say that's one out of three.

My 35 year old heavy Hein Warner has never bled down. I think I've topped off the fluid no more than a couple of times all those years.

What to buy may be a challenge, but one of the old trusted 'Merican brands is probably a good choice.

Andys