Lowest Floor Jacks & More Assorted Vehicle Lifting Convenience

[Matej]

What kind of low-profile GT racing turbo floor jacks do you gentlemen use?

As I was preparing to raise my car today so I can lower it more, I found out I am unable to force my jack anywhere under it. Thus apparently I am in the market for a more compact floor jack, and am hoping to receive some input.


The jack I have been using looks exactly like this.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41H9Yh-VqeL._SS500_.jpg
Its advertised height is 3.3", although I have been using it with the seat removed. The main problem is actually the wheels and the metal behind them. Being so wide, the jack gets stuck on various things around the lifting points on the car, rendering it impossible to go far enough under

I like how compact these Harbor Freight jacks are, with the roller in the center. Plus they are aluminum, making them decently light.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_9775.jpg
However, their advertised height is 3.25", which is a bit tall. Would anyone on here happen to know if the seat is removable?

Ideally, I would like to have the same type of jack as the Harbor Freight ones, with a height of 60mm or lower, for under 100$.
Yes, I am aware I will not find that anywhere. :)


What do you use, friends? I was hoping to compile a list of the lowest jacks available, ramps, and other such trickery, to help me make an informed purchase. Perhaps someone else will find it useful as well.
Cheers!

[slomar91]

scissor jack with the top swivel part cut off. Use to get it just high enough to get a normal jack under it

[Matej]

scissor jack with the top swivel part cut off. Use to get it just high enough to get a normal jack under it
Had that actually, but it broke after a while. Cars with stiff coilovers seem to be tough on scissor jacks.
However, I am not fond of how raising the car has become such an ordeal that I have to use multiple jacks and various contraptions. That is why I would like to have one jack that can do it all.

[wannabdr1ftr]

Awesome thread, i was just looking for a jack myself.

[SoCalDrifter]

i have the same jack as you do but its alittle lower (the red one) and since my car is super low i just roll it up onto thick wood and then jack the car up from there and if one peice isnt hight enough for you then make stairs with the wood so you roll it up higher and get the jack under there always works for me

[soreballz]

The type of jack your looking for will likely cost upwards of 250 bucks.

[nathanong87]

matej, i have two of those harbour friend jacks (the one without the LED light thing). still have to take off the kit though to even attempt to jack the car up from front/rear tow hook. each were like 50$ with a HF coupon.

ideally i'd have these. hit dem switches
http://www.performanceautowerks.com/Mods/ProjectEVO/Up1.jpg

maybe portable nitrogen tank? hehe

STEW has this long jack that appears herra low. intriguing. that probably can reach diff no problem and clear most aero.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/kidnrg/2010-10-21175247.jpg

[statickx991]

scissor jack with the top swivel part cut off. Use to get it just high enough to get a normal jack under it

i do the same thing lol

[deathrace2000]

Matej, I have one of the harbor freight jacks with the pad removed. Come get it. :)

I think it works pretty well on low cars. However, if I recall correctly, I had to drive my car onto a little scrap of wood to get the jack under it. Again, I'm not sure that I remember 100%. Ha.

[ManoNegra]

Matej, I have one of the harbor freight jacks with the pad removed. Come get it. :)

I think it works pretty well on low cars. However, if I recall correctly, I had to drive my car onto a little scrap of wood to get the jack under it. Again, I'm not sure that I remember 100%. Ha.

I have the HF aluminum jack
I'm not retard low and I still need to drive the car onto 4x6s

pros:
lower than most regular jacks
can be had for cheap
pretty light so it's easy to whip around
allen key removes the handle which can be use for extra leverage
when breaking bolts loose

cons
cheap and creaky
rollers aren't smooth as nice jacks
doesn't have a nice smooth release like quality jacks
so it's tricky when you want to bring the car down gently
a lot of the bolts are starting to corrode (~1.5 years of ownership)
although I have left it out in the yard for days at times in various occasions

we have really nice heavy duty jacks at work
that go surprisingly low but are big and heavy
oh, and expensive

air jacks are cool but gnarly when they fail

[KrazyS13]

After seeing that super low jack nathanong87 posted up there I was determined to find one like it! I hate having to use multiple contraptions as well, the scissor jack and HF floor jack are what I use and I'm kinda tired of it..haha

Gonna pick one of these up soon! Maximum lowered height is 2 3/4"..:)

Ranger RFJ-3000-LPF (http://www.mytoolguy.com/Ranger%20RFJ-3000-LPF.htm)

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/crazygc8/RFJ-3000LPF-Floor-Jack.png

[hellion240sx]

yeah I don't think I;vew seen super low jacks that are under 100 bucks... everyone i've seen are over 100 easy...

[hellion240sx]

yeah that cost only 255 :( not under 100 like the op wanted... looks gangsta as hell though!

[statickx991]

^^ that is sick! that thing prolly goes high as sheot to. you could prolly sit indian style under ur slammed car

[towlie]

Snap on has a lightweight racing jack.

YA1716, Jack, Hydraulic Service, Low Profile, 2 Ton (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=84707&group_ID=1716&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog)

At 3" it's low, but not quite low enough

At 375$ it's defianatly top of the line for jacks

I was at HF last week, I'll probably pick up their jack. I'm used to driving onto blocks anyways @[email protected]

[roboticnissan]

I made ramps that raise a car like 4 inches but are able to be driven on by a car that's 2 inches off the floor.

[90hatchie]

2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-floor-service-jack-67022.html)
i use this
but i also jack it from the tow hooks so i never have to worry about being too low

[ZilviaKid]

my old work used to have jacks that were built into the floor, the arms were only an inch off the ground.

literally the greatest shit for lifting lowered cars.

[wh0aitznic0]

I use this orange and white heavy ass jack I got from Harbor freight for like $60.

Most of you know how low my car is...I just drive onto little planks of wood and it clears aero and shit.

[energ]

got this jack at school.. looking to pick one up when i get some extra cash..
ATD-7325 - 2-Ton Extra Low Profile Service Jack with Swift Lift™ - ATD Tools, Inc. (http://atdtools.com/7325)

[fueled by hate]

2.5 is probably the lowest you can get.

Amazon.com: Omega Blackhawk Low Profile Service Jack - 2-Ton Capacity, Model# 29023: Everything Else (http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Blackhawk-Profile-Service-Jack/dp/B0024G75N8/ref=pd_sbs_auto_3)

[95KA-Turbo]

Cheapest and lightest alternative =

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_9775.jpg


+

http://www.thedoorcf.com/uploads/cedar-2x4.jpg




I don't know about you guys, but the 2.5" clearance jacks seem awesome for home use...but I am not lugging a 100+ lb jack to a drift event. If they made an aluminum one that was light weight and low I'd pay 250-300 bucks for it, so long as it didn't shit out as fast as the 60 dollar HF jacks do...luckily you can get a 1-year no questions asked replacement thing through HF for like 19 bucks. You just bring your receipt in and the jack and get a new one. I've used that twice...so I'm technically on my 4th HF jack but have only spent 120 bucks total, haha.



I use my jack a whole lot, I usually do fenders on 5-9 cars a month and I use it on my own car a few times a week (and have been for the past year and some change since I've been rebuilding it). You get used to the release of it, and can let cars down super slow, but they will just all of the sudden stop working. OR something important will break. The little link between the jack handle and the jack internals that lets you tighten and loosen the jack snapped on my last one.

In all of my times of rolling fenders/helping friends with their cars I've only had a handful this jack will not fit under, and a few of them was because of their kits and the owners of those cars actually attached them properly and couldn't just snip them off the car.

[[email protected]]

i built some ramps out of 3/4 plywood. just drive up them and stick the jack under.

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[Matej]

I don't know about you guys, but the 2.5" clearance jacks seem awesome for home use...but I am not lugging a 100+ lb jack to a drift event. If they made an aluminum one that was light weight and low I'd pay 250-300 bucks for it, so long as it didn't shit out as fast as the 60 dollar HF jacks do...luckily you can get a 1-year no questions asked replacement thing through HF for like 19 bucks. You just bring your receipt in and the jack and get a new one. I've used that twice...so I'm technically on my 4th HF jack but have only spent 120 bucks total, haha.
Is the seat on the HF jack removable? If so, I will most likely end up buying the 'Compact' one they sell.

Ramps/wood are fine and dandy, unless the car cannot drive onto them under its own power. :)

[singlecamslam]

I have the HF jack. It is what it is, harbor freight, need i continue? I will. The wheel fell off while lifting my car, the release screw stripped off, it leaks so the car will slowly come down, all after 1 year of ownership, but i use the shit out of that jack.

[SoCalDrifter]

I made ramps that raise a car like 4 inches but are able to be driven on by a car that's 2 inches off the floor.

post a picture i wanna see this

[andisan]

2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-floor-service-jack-67022.html)
i use this
but i also jack it from the tow hooks so i never have to worry about being too low

^^I bought the coupon from ebay which lowerd the price to $59.99 and i bought three of them,
one for me and the other two for some friends, it was the lowest profile jack and
the hight is good enough for a clutch job too. specs are 2-7/8" min. - 20-1/16" max
They are a little heavy but i dont think you will be running with them like if you where in a strong man compatition XD

You should buy the coupon on ebay for like $3 bucks and head over to your nearest harbor freight store and get one for
$65 bucks after taxs
i did it and i feel like i robbed them:cops:

Oh and i bought the 2 year replacement plan for $10 bucks so ill be good for 2 years

[Om1kron]

city tire john's jack can get under my side skirts no problem. I have to drive up on wood, use scissor, and then jack. he just shoves this low low ass jack under my car, puts some wood on the lifting plate and bam my shits in the air.

[kaking]

Roll or drive onto wood and a regular jack is how i roll. Sucks if your car isnt running or in a garage though.

[95KA-Turbo]

Is the seat on the HF jack removable? If so, I will most likely end up buying the 'Compact' one they sell.

Ramps/wood are fine and dandy, unless the car cannot drive onto them under its own power. :)

The seat is not removable, it just as a small thin piece of rubber that is removable/gets torn into pieces after 3 uses.

That jack barely fits under my diff, but it still fits under the diff...and if my front was 1/2 inch lower it wouldn't fit under my front toe hook. So for me it works just fine.

[khai01]

Costco jack $89 plus a few piece of wood. You can beat that.

[Marcus]

Costco jack $89 plus a few piece of wood. You can beat that.


word. this is what i use. works flawlessly

i also use those same planks of wood to get my car on the trailer

[Tearlessj]

Everyone on the garage forums use the $90 Arcan costco jack. You seriously can't beat it. Napa has the exact same jack I think for $350.

[ixfxi]

After seeing that super low jack nathanong87 posted up there I was determined to find one like it! I hate having to use multiple contraptions as well, the scissor jack and HF floor jack are what I use and I'm kinda tired of it..haha

Gonna pick one of these up soon! Maximum lowered height is 2 3/4"..:)

Ranger RFJ-3000-LPF (http://www.mytoolguy.com/Ranger%20RFJ-3000-LPF.htm)

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/crazygc8/RFJ-3000LPF-Floor-Jack.png

I have that very same ranger and posted about it years ago when I first purchased it (search). Its a fairly good jack, but not perfect by any stretch of imagination. For one, its heavy since its not aluminum (understandable). As low as it may be, the thing that sucks is the main body near the arm.. its fairly tall and thats what usually hits the radiator support of any car I work on. So, you're ultimately limited by that. It takes numerous pumps to get the shit in the air (like my cack), but overall... its good.

Regardless of what jacks I've used over the years, I cannot escape from using a basic piece of wood to give me the extra inch or two worth of needed clearance.


2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-floor-service-jack-67022.html)
i use this
but i also jack it from the tow hooks so i never have to worry about being too low

Cheapest and lightest alternative =
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_9775.jpg

I use my jack a whole lot, I usually do fenders on 5-9 cars a month and I use it on my own car a few times a week (and have been for the past year and some change since I've been rebuilding it). You get used to the release of it, and can let cars down super slow, but they will just all of the sudden stop working. OR something important will break. The little link between the jack handle and the jack internals that lets you tighten and loosen the jack snapped on my last one.

In all of my times of rolling fenders/helping friends with their cars I've only had a handful this jack will not fit under, and a few of them was because of their kits and the owners of those cars actually attached them properly and couldn't just snip them off the car.

I have the HF jack. It is what it is, harbor freight, need i continue? I will. The wheel fell off while lifting my car, the release screw stripped off, it leaks so the car will slowly come down, all after 1 year of ownership, but i use the shit out of that jack.


I'm surprised you people waste time with HF garbage. All of my tools are fairly high quality and I buy them used before I waste a penny of my hard earned dough or risk my life or waste my time with HF rubbish. Oh well, its your life.


i built some ramps out of 3/4 plywood. just drive up them and stick the jack under.

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__________________________|_________
____________________________________|

Costco jack $89 plus a few piece of wood. You can beat that.

Yup, I too have the Costco aluminum jack which I've had for over 10 years now, never failed. I cannot remember who makes it but I have it written in my notes in case I need seals, service, replacement, etc... Costco is #1 when it comes to that.

Anyway, I find the aluminum jacks to be convenient and portable and reasonably well-built, which is the one I use most of the time when I need something quick and easy. I use the ranger for most common use where I want something durable. Ultimately, the wood 2x4 is needed to give that extra inch or two.

[95KA-Turbo]

I use jackstands. I definitely don't trust the HF jack to hold the car up while I'm under it.....ever.

[revcyanide]

you shouldnt trust ANY jack to hold the car up by itself. I ALWAYS have my car on jack stands when lifted.

[Matej]

you shouldnt trust ANY jack to hold the car up by itself. I ALWAYS have my car on jack stands when lifted.
That should be common knowledge.
I would hope it is.

[revcyanide]

Oh well, its your life.




I assume it isnt with comments like that.

[Phate]

Yeah, just go get a few pieces of thick MDF, and fix them together in like a step configuration.

Keep em in your trunk, and they work great to get the clearance you need.

[Matej]

When will Powered by MAX make an ultra low orange & gold floor jack?

[Brian]

I had that blue jack from Harbor Freight. Worked great and didn't cost much.
I only died once because of it, so no biggie.

[CrimsonRockett]

Hah, Brian is a zombie.

Well, it's either fork over $300+ for a super low profile jack that still wouldn't clear my front lip or build ramps that cost less than $20 to put together and keep using my Sam's Club $65 jack.

Seemed like a no-brainer to me.

I spent $300. lol jk.

Seriously though, I would just put some ramps together. Mine are pretty long, but they're not insanely heavy and hauling them around at the track wouldn't exactly be hard compared to a heavy ass jack.

My friend and I did however buy a small low profile jack to lift our cars up from the side to then use our regular jack up front on the crossmember or on the rear diff. This was before the ramps. Worked out just fine.

[Brian]

I have (or had) some sweet metal ramps that worked great. I've got to look for them. They would be really nice for somebody here.

[SaNTi]

http://image.visualsugar.com/images/134911ktk.jpg

My red "black-jack" lol

$100 at Costco.

[Pro ViZIon]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ how far does it go under the car before it hits the side.

[ayuaddict]

A previous room mate had one of these.

http://www.mactools.com/popup.aspx?src=/Portals/1/aspdnsf/images/PRODUCT/large/JSA200LCX.jpghttp://www.mactools.com/Portals/1/aspdnsf/images/PRODUCT/medium/JSA200LCX.jpg
http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-319101-jsa200lcx.aspx

It's a joy to use, It would fit under anything and the issue with the "sides" hitting was non-existent. It did however weigh like 200 pounds and cost over $400. It's an investment that i would hold off on until shop space has been commandeered.

[ixfxi]

that looks just like the ranger jack

[teamsprock]

I always have used some LDS ramps and then any jack works great. Maybe I should sell the LDS ramps since I don't have a car low enough to need it any more. But as said above you could make some ramps with wood for real cheap.

http://evasivemotorsports.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/takata_lds_ramps.jpg

[chiboy002]

Summit Racing SUM-G1020 - Summit Racing® Low-Profile Hydraulic Floor Jacks - Overview - SummitRacing.com (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1020/?rtype=10)

i have this one, it's pretty good but like knoop said, its fucking heavy as shit. Only good for home use

It's not the lowest but it reaches the diff fairly easily with 17" all around. The aero in front needs to be removed to get it to the tow hook, then i lift it from the cross member once i have a good height.

Fed Ex broke some part on mine when it came in the mail, and they were supposed contact me about buying it back but never did. Summit sent out a second one and since fedex never contacted me i got to keep both

The really low profile ones every has should would most likely serve your purpose though, since they are long and have about 2" of clearance

[hOngsterr]

I have (or had) some sweet metal ramps that worked great. I've got to look for them. They would be really nice for somebody here.


last time i saw them were at the shop when i picked up the stuff lol

[thestreetzking]

Tomioka Racing Super Slopes Universal Ramps for Lowered Cars (http://www.frsport.com/Tomioka-Racing-Super-Slopes-Universal-Ramps-for-Lowered-Cars_p_13365.html)

65$ for 2 ramps, seems awesome to me?

[ILoveMyRHS13]

Tomioka Racing Super Slopes Universal Ramps for Lowered Cars (http://www.frsport.com/Tomioka-Racing-Super-Slopes-Universal-Ramps-for-Lowered-Cars_p_13365.html)

65$ for 2 ramps, seems awesome to me?
Yes, I have these and use the blue harbor freight jack; great combo. :)

[ixfxi]

I always have used some LDS ramps and then any jack works great. Maybe I should sell the LDS ramps since I don't have a car low enough to need it any more. But as said above you could make some ramps with wood for real cheap.

http://evasivemotorsports.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/takata_lds_ramps.jpg

i love the gentle slope

again, sarcasm

what car cannot drive over a 2x4.... is beyond me. slope is completely unnecessary... isnt it?


i think that people that buy those ramps just dont want to "feel ghetto" carrying around a fucking piece of WOOD.

plastic = synthetic
wood = natural, biodegradable

think GREEN fellas

[ericcastro]

Ranger RFJ-3000-LPF (http://www.mytoolguy.com/Ranger%20RFJ-3000-LPF.htm)

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/crazygc8/RFJ-3000LPF-Floor-Jack.png

even if it doesnt work the best, looks awesome !!lol
should pinstripe your name on the side, lol

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_9775.jpg

!
This blue thing looks identical to my autozone jack, except the autozone version has 2 wheels instead of the single roller.



what car cannot drive over a 2x4.... is beyond me. slope is completely unnecessary... isnt it?

2x4's can be a pain to get on if you are in a shop with a smooth floor. Ive launched a few across shops like hockey pucks, lol
with a 6puck, its a little hard to feather it just enough to hop up a 2 inch lip without over doing it.


I got a blue auto zone jack.
And 4 jack stands.

i also went to home depot and bought 1 2x6
took my saw, cut the center at a 45*angle.
cut the other 2 pieces at angles about 1/3 into the length.
So I have two ramps that go up 4 inches, and are 6inches wide.
(2x4's dont raise your car as much, since your tire will sag around them)
still need to put a hole through em with a piece of rope through that, so i can just pick em up easier.

[superJoy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/decline1/IMAGE_157.jpg

Done.

My dad helped me build these back in high school with some scrap wood he had laying around. I built two more a little while later. They slipped a little so we stapled some rubber-ish mat to the underside of them.

I use a giant Harbor Freight jack btw. I've had it five years. It cost $50.

It's fine. It's not like I run a tire business.

[1on1]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f157/156118d1288625229-floor-jack-exige-suggestions-arcan_banner.jpg

Bought from costco for $79.99 plus tax. The way my car sits, I always have to pull-off my front bumper no matter what. I usually drive over a brick or jack the car up from the tow-hook to put logs under.

[mrbrody703]

2 Ton Low Profile Floor Service Jack (http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-floor-service-jack-67022.html)
i use this
but i also jack it from the tow hooks so i never have to worry about being too low

I use the same one but its only been about 6 months. Hope it lasts but for ~60 bucks I'll be happy with it either way.

[CamryOnBronze]

My huge Craftsman jack finally gave up the ghost last night... I'll have to pick something up suggested in this thread. Good info.

[94_240sx]

I also use Costco floor jack and removed all the wheels and drag it around. It got lowered, so no more plywood for me.

[ixfxi]

2x4's can be a pain to get on if you are in a shop with a smooth floor. Ive launched a few across shops like hockey pucks, lol
with a 6puck, its a little hard to feather it just enough to hop up a 2 inch lip without over doing it.

They slipped a little so we stapled some rubber-ish mat to the underside of them.

ah yes, thats using your noggin

things like rubber matting or skateboard grip tape would help

eric, i was thinking about using the ramp for front wheels.. but rear wheels + 6 puck makes a fun combination. you could always gently PUSH the car up the small ramp or just add the non-slip matting.

[smellslikecurry]

ah yes, thats using your noggin

things like rubber matting or skateboard grip tape would help

eric, i was thinking about using the ramp for front wheels.. But rear wheels + 6 puck makes a fun combination. You could always gently push the car up the small ramp or just add the non-slip matting.


PUSH? And break a nail? youuu crazy!

[Treefish]

http://www.jdmop.com/images/images/dai%27sacademy/quicklifter3.jpg

I have one of these, GP Sports Quick Lifters, but I just use a regular jack with it.

[implayaz9]

ftw.. been using it for years

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_9775.jpg

[!Zar!]

For the rear I use the tow hook, for the front I drive up on wood and then use the tow hook.

I love how some people try to sound hardcore when it comes to jacking their cars up.

[teamsprock]

I actually bought the LDS ramps to help me load it on the trailer, I'd always used wood. I'm from Montana so I'm comfortable being seen as a redneck, but the lip on the LDS ramps make it much more stable and eliminates flying 2x4's when its wet out.

[iLagX]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f157/156118d1288625229-floor-jack-exige-suggestions-arcan_banner.jpg

Bought from costco for $79.99 plus tax. The way my car sits, I always have to pull-off my front bumper no matter what. I usually drive over a brick or jack the car up from the tow-hook to put logs under.

GREAT JACK!! BEEN USING IT FOR 2 years but it starting to fail.. slowly drops down, but still works great!! if only a little longer it can easily be jacked from the crossmember without removing the front bumper!

[boost infested]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HKhhrEU5L.jpg

how about this one from amazon?

Torin T84030 3 Ton Low Profile Aluminum Racing Jack Feature

Dual side grip handles to make maneuvering and positioning the jack a much easier task
Saddle height of only 3.75 inch for storing in small places
Lifting capacity of 6,000 pounds
Rubber pad to prevent marring
Saddle rotates a full 360 degrees
Torin T84030 3 Ton Low Profile Aluminum Racing Jack Overview

Torin 3 Ton Low Profile Aluminum Racing Jack features a lifting capacity rated at 6000 pounds and a saddle height of 3.75 inch which allows storage in small spaces. This jack has added features like a rubber pad to prevent marring, a saddle that rotates a full 360 degrees and dual side grip handles to make maneuvering and positioning the jack a much easier task. It includes a lifting range from 3.5 inch to 17.25 inch.

[pandaroo]

dammit i overpaid for my jack. i bought it for $100 at oriellys branded as an acdelco but its just a harbor freight:mad: o well works great though...