View Full Version : Harbor Frieght super super low profile jack
What do you guys think of this jack?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91788
I know it's not a lightweight jack, but i'm going to be using this at home. The things that sold me on this jack were:
Super low lifting point - 2 3/4in compared to others at >3in.
High maximum lift point - 19 5/8in
Price
What do you guys think? This is an online-special only, so shipping will bump the price up. Even though the package will be over 100lbs after adding in four jackstands, shipping will be less than $15.
Anyone have any experience with this particular jack?
WilloW
08-09-2006, 04:03 PM
Costco is selling a low profile aluminum race jack for $99 right now.
I've heard mixed reviews on the costco jack, plus I don't think that specific one is low enough. Something like 4" minimum lift point?
anthony240
08-09-2006, 06:13 PM
3.5-19.25 on the Costco jack. $99 is regular price
My car is too low for most jacks, so i went to home depot and bought a 1" thick particle board, cut in 4 pieces, 2 sets together and voila, extra 2" height.
CKAMC
08-09-2006, 06:17 PM
Out here in AZ a lot of us have been pleased with harbor freight.... yeah it doesnt last for ever *their products* but for what you paid they sure are good enough to do the trick.
Slidin240Wayz
08-09-2006, 06:25 PM
get a low pro from sears. Money but you can get a new one if it takes a crap.
If I had the money to, i'd get a sears jack, but i'm an 18 year old kid going to college. Besides, I think sears' lifetime warranty applies to the hand tools only :/ . In any case, I think i'm going to give the HFT jack a shot. It has the lowest lift point of ANY jack i've seen for <$300.
mjjstang
08-09-2006, 06:54 PM
ehh its ur typical jack, I think this is the one my buddy has, its nice, although as with any harbor freight tool, you just dont know how long it will last.
Yup with sears it's hand tools only. I have a bunch of HF stuff. For the money no complaints!
FRpilot
08-09-2006, 07:05 PM
3.5-19.25 on the Costco jack. $99 is regular price
My car is too low for most jacks, so i went to home depot and bought a 1" thick particle board, cut in 4 pieces, 2 sets together and voila, extra 2" height.
i got the costco jack and regret it. my dad has an old craftsman standard hydralic 2 ton jack which works great except that it weighs a ton and not low profile. i was planning to get a craftsman low profile aluminum jack for 200 but my dad said he saw a nice one at costco. i went there to check it out. it looked pretty good, it was aluminum too i think so its light, but something is wrong with the hydralic system. it jacks up the car, but it doesnt even hold it for a good amount of time. it just gradually rescends back into normal position so you have to put jackstands there. i know you should always use jackstands and i do, but i just dont like that it slowly drops the car like it cant support any weight.
+1 for making ramps for lowered cars. just go to homedepot and get some 2x4 and make some ramps. should work and ive been thinking about making some for the last 3 yrs. just too lazy. (i was also suppose to make a wheel rack out of wood but that never happened either.) one of the things that makes me lazy to work on my car is knowing that jacking it up is a bitch. i have to use oem scissor jack, then a baby hydro jack b/c turning the scissor jack takes forever, till finally using the normal jack.
Ricks15
08-09-2006, 07:15 PM
The racing jack for :ghey: Pep boys is pretty damn good and its under 100 bucks by far one of the best jacks that Ive used for the money.
anthony240
08-09-2006, 07:18 PM
ouch, yea i was planning on buying the costco jack for a while, i don't have it yet.
and it's from Costco so it has a Lifetime warranty pretty much.
My Harbor Freight aluminum jack is still workin after a year.
blk90s13
08-09-2006, 07:29 PM
craftsman
i replaced mine 4 times so far nothing beat lifetime warrnaty
SlowCoupe
08-09-2006, 08:30 PM
craftsman
i replaced mine 4 times so far nothing beat lifetime warrnaty
crappy product but great warranty hahah :goyou:
I got the blue Harbor Frieght jack and it's low enough to get under my buddy's civic. And it's not heavy at all.
!Zar!
08-09-2006, 10:10 PM
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91039
My friend has this one and that's the one you want. It sits the lowest.
I have the more expensive one, thinking that it would be better right?
Well it is, but it also doesn't go as low. I can still reach under my car, but it's a little more of a hassle due to the fact that it's bigger all around.
DisEpyon
08-09-2006, 10:38 PM
i was planning on getting that one, but i thought twice about buying it because i wasnt sure the quality and how safe it would be about jacking up the car on one side and going under for some quick work with out the hassle of jackstands. maybe you can provide a little more detail about your friend using it? or anyone else
McRussellPants
08-09-2006, 10:45 PM
The highspeed lift on mah p-boys jack already blew out, but other than that its truckin strong.
DisEpyon
08-09-2006, 10:55 PM
was it the same type as the harbor frieght racing jack, that zar posted up, how long have you had it for?
aznpoopy
08-09-2006, 11:41 PM
i was planning on getting that one, but i thought twice about buying it because i wasnt sure the quality and how safe it would be about jacking up the car on one side and going under for some quick work with out the hassle of jackstands. maybe you can provide a little more detail about your friend using it? or anyone else
i have two of those. i've used them for two years. the wheel broke off one and i stuck it back on. doesn't swivel anymore. lol. otherwise they are fine... same shit you buy anywhere else.
seriously though, i'm sick of regular jacks. my next jack is going to be a HF rapid pump jack. my friend brought one over and omg... it makes life so much easier. if you have clearance issues just drive your car up on planks. nothing beats 6 pumps to max height.
as for going under the car without jackstands... that is a completely stupid idea and you should never do that... ever. i don't care if your hydraulic jack cost a million dollars. it's just dumb, period.
OptionZero
08-10-2006, 12:37 AM
I've tried the middle and higher priced jacks from harbor freight, neither could get under my car with coilovers; couldn't even get under when i was on shock/springs (rsr sus downs)
sepulchral
08-10-2006, 01:15 AM
get a low pro from sears. Money but you can get a new one if it takes a crap.
my friend works at sears and his craftsman jack went out they wouldnt take it back... their jacks have a 1 year warranty not lifetime.. jacks go bad, wrenchs usually don't
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91039
My friend has this one and that's the one you want. It sits the lowest.
I have the more expensive one, thinking that it would be better right?
Well it is, but it also doesn't go as low. I can still reach under my car, but it's a little more of a hassle due to the fact that it's bigger all around.
I was looking at that one too, BUT:
Look at the maximum lift height. That's not even enough to get jackstands under the car. I know this because I have a jack that lifts 15 inches, and it's barely short.
94cc0rd
08-10-2006, 01:49 AM
nm..... 10char
blk90s13
08-10-2006, 05:20 AM
crappy product but great warranty hahah :goyou:
it broke once the other 3 times i went and just said its bad and they changed it ( it was getting too dirty )
MOUNTAINGARAGE
08-10-2006, 05:58 AM
there is a HF near me. I bought a media cabinet and a long porting tool from them. 3+ years, no prob. The chinese jacks, not too sure of. all depends on the warranty. I have a dead craftsman 3 ton heavy duty that is dead.
I would definatley try the costco, because of the warranty.
remember to get some low profile ramps or make some out of a 2x8 peice of lumber. sometimes just sticking a piece of 2x4 is all you need.
don't ever worry about a jacks capacity, how often do we lift a whole car on a jack? usually just a corner 800-1000lbs or so.
charmersfh
08-10-2006, 09:10 AM
19'' LIFT....thats not that high...I wouldnt want to go under the car with only 19 inches.
FaLKoN240
08-10-2006, 09:23 AM
Jesus Christ, no one has a HF jack on this forum? Haha.
I have one. I'm the FRIEND of Zars.
I have the jack. It's pretty cool. But now that I'm slammed I can barely fit it under my car. I can fit it under the tow hooks so it's still usable.
Ritz S14
08-10-2006, 10:01 AM
Jesus Christ, no one has a HF jack on this forum? Haha.
I have one. I'm the FRIEND of Zars.
I have the jack. It's pretty cool. But now that I'm slammed I can barely fit it under my car. I can fit it under the tow hooks so it's still usable.
Yeah, I have one too. Works pimp, but looking the way it is.. I may not need it anymore.
19'' LIFT....thats not that high...I wouldnt want to go under the car with only 19 inches.
It's going to be on jackstands anyway, look up the specs on OTHER jacks before posting pleasee
4thHorse
08-10-2006, 09:56 PM
I have this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91039
I've had it for 4 years still works fine.
Nizzan4u2nv
08-10-2006, 10:58 PM
I rock these two. I still cant fit the small one under the front. But, I can still fit the big one under the diff. Both harbor freight, the small one isnt rapid pump though, but you can pick that up and toss it around its so light.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1561/p1010005gj7.jpg
turtl631
08-11-2006, 12:09 AM
I have the bigger of the two he just posted. I use it as a garage jack and bring it to the track. Rapid pump is great, and unless you pay 400+ for a jack, you wont get one that can fit under every lowered car. Just use wood ramps. To the guy who mentioned that his jack lowers slowly- it might need a rebuild or just to be bled.
!Zar!
08-11-2006, 12:50 PM
I love jacks that lower slowly on demand. The dinosaur craftsman one just drops the car.
But for people who must jack their car up high, harbor freight under a towhook/diff whatever, then use the dino jack to continue to raise the car from the crossmember.
If you need your car higher than that, then you need a lift. haha.
95zilvia
08-11-2006, 02:26 PM
No one bought LDS Ramps?
Takata Low Down Slope, reverse onto them with rear wheels.
Jack car up from differential.
Win
I just bought the racing jack from pepboys, and the height is great. It's also lighter than any jack I've owned. I no longer need to use my aluminum ramps to jack up my car. Not bad for $90.
anthony240
08-11-2006, 03:51 PM
Takata LDS is a ripoff. You can make your own ramps for less than $5. Can't justify it.
I've been under the Blue HF Jack all the time, and it is CRAMPED.
I wouldn't mind having an extra 4", especially for clutch jobs.
Nizzan4u2nv
08-11-2006, 04:36 PM
Thats the reason I have 2, the small one just doesnt go high enough. Cool for wheel/brakes/suspension stuff. Not cool for exhaust/tranny stuff.
aznpoopy
08-12-2006, 12:43 AM
I rock these two. I still cant fit the small one under the front. But, I can still fit the big one under the diff. Both harbor freight, the small one isnt rapid pump though, but you can pick that up and toss it around its so light.
how do you like the HF rapid pump so far? im seriously considering getting one.
Nizzan4u2nv
08-12-2006, 12:53 AM
I love that thing. Ive used the craftsman basic ones, costco ones, and the ones from pepboys(big red or whatever). This is by far the best one. Pretty easy to maintain too. I bought it used on ebay, when I got it, it was really hard to pump and didnt go high. I just drained the fluid out, put some brake fluid in, and bled it. Good as new. So far so good. I dont plan on it lasting forever just like the rest of the stuff from HF, but its still great for the price. If I was rich id go with a snapon/blue point, but im far from that so the HF will have to do.
SnakeKack
08-12-2006, 12:57 AM
I boss bought that jack at the local H.B. for $69 bucks. He hasn't even used it yet.
S13Eye
08-12-2006, 03:50 AM
I was at Harbor Freight a few days ago. 3 out of 5 display jacks were already damaged. The handles were hard to turn and binding. The construction was wobbly and they just seemed like low quality products. I have an AC Delco jack that i bought a few years ago. Its a heavy thick gauge steel jack with a huge ass hydraulic cylinder. Max lift is more than 21" and its sturdy. If it ever breaks, i can order replacement parts, and it even came with a parts diagram.
A jack is something you trust your life to. For the few seconds that you are underneath the car locating the jack stands, a cheap jack could fail and kill you. I have heard of several stories where the cylinder seals failed and crushed a person, usually in winter. You don't know what kind of seals they used in the cylinder, or if the frame will hold up. That extra $50 you spend on a jack will be worth it. I got around just fine using a normal profile jack on slammed cars. What is the point of those aluminum racing jacks anyway? If you got noodle arms and no upper body strength, you shouldn't be playing mechanic.
redsuns3838
08-12-2006, 04:23 AM
got my ARCAN jack from costco. its a 4 inch size but low enough. got it for 35 bucks. original price was like 100 or something. i just drive up on homemade wooden ramps for an extra 2 inches. takes all of 10 seconds. and its lasted a year so far. only downside it weighs like 100 lbs or something so its a bitch to carry out to my car.
i just put my car on a few homemade ramps before i jack it up and the jack fits under there fine.
if i were u, spend the cash and get a light weight one. it is easier to lug around..
oh and go buy some shitty scrap plywood from home depot for 10 bux and make ur own ramps.
S13eye, i wouldnt trust any jack with my life. i put a jackstand under the OEM spot on my car with just my hand, its right on the side of the car... im not gonna stick my whole head under it. if i need to move it inward, then i just get another and move it in after i have a support point on the jack point per FSM. like u said, i know a guy whos jack failed on him and got crushed under his car. luckily hes not dead but he had major skin damage on his face, fucked up his vision permanately, and some other stuff to say the least.
Well guys, I ordered that HF tools jack. Gonna look it over very very well before it gets put into use.
Pics to come as soon as I get it!
I got this jack in a few days ago, and maaaan oh maaan is this thing pimp.
SUPER low lift height. First 8~ inches stay UNDER 3", then slowly progresses up to 4" right before the huge taper. Plenty of space to get under your car.
Release is smooth and slow. No sudden drops of the lift arm. 2~pumps to hit the frame, 7 pumps till full 19" height.
The only cons about this jack:
FUckin' heavy. seriously, damn.
Saddle doesn't bolt in, it just drops in the lift arm. It's not padded either, so you'll have to add a rubber pad / wooden block. Not really a big thing, but a thing nonetheless.
So those of you looking to get a nice jack that will stay relatively in one place, I highly recommend this bad mother trucker. After shipping = $90.
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