Recommendations: Floor Jack and Jack Stands

I

imported_fugaz15

New member
What's up fellas?



I'm looking to get a floor jack and jack stands for my car so I can better clean my wheels and rotate my tires myself.



I have a 2008 Accord Coupe, so I'd need a floor jack with a fairly low profile. Any recommendations? All are jack stands basically the same?



Home Depot sells a husky 2ton floor jack for about $50 and a pair of 2 ton jack stands for $25. Those prices seem a bit low for a quality product.



While I'm asking... any recommendations on a good torque wrench? Preferably don't want to spend more than about $75 or $100.



Thanks!



Dave
 
I bought the Home Depot Husky and used it about 8-10 times in 2 years and it worked fine. I still have it.



But then I lowered my car and needed a true low profile jack. I found several online only and all for around $200 and up delivered.



I settled on this one for $200 shipped and it works great so far.



Arcan Quick Lift Service Jack — 3 1/2-Ton, Model# XL35 | Floor Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment







But you should be able to use the Husky jack like I did with a pinch weld adapter to lift safely from the outer edge under the doors.



Adapter: Grip Pinchweld Jack Adapter





Also check out Sears.
 
Passrat said:
But you should be able to use the Husky jack like I did with a pinch weld adapter to lift safely from the outer edge under the doors.



Adapter: Grip Pinchweld Jack Adapter
Click to expand...



Interesting. I'm curious about those, and am uncertain as to the intent or need.



When I jack up my (heavy) Honda Pilot from an undercar jack point, I use regular Sears heavy duty jack stands to support it at the pinchweld jack points. Would I need to buy a set of 4 of those adapters to properly support the car? Anyone have any stories as to what might happen otherwise?



Is it a matter of the car simply slipping off of the jack, or is there a concern for bending or crumpling that pinchweld somehow?
 
Any jack stands you get will be fine. You don't need some brand name stand. They all probably come from the same factory in China anyway. Same with the Jack. I'd just go to your local parts store.
 
khjr said:
Interesting. I'm curious about those, and am uncertain as to the intent or need.



When I jack up my (heavy) Honda Pilot from an undercar jack point, I use regular Sears heavy duty jack stands to support it at the pinchweld jack points. Would I need to buy a set of 4 of those adapters to properly support the car? Anyone have any stories as to what might happen otherwise?



Is it a matter of the car simply slipping off of the jack, or is there a concern for bending or crumpling that pinchweld somehow?
Click to expand...



I don't get it either. It might be keeping the pinch seam from crushing but it's putting the weight on something not intended for the job.
 
I have that same Arcan, love it. Only had one car it wasn't low enough to get under. I have maybe 6 jack stands from sears maybe??? I painted them black after the paint chipped off.
 
I have the Harbor Freight lightweight racing jack and it works great. I've used it for both my Miata and my mother's 2000 Accord sedan.
 
Passrat said:
But then I lowered my car and needed a true low profile jack. I found several online only and all for around $200 and up delivered.



I settled on this one for $200 shipped and it works great so far.



Arcan Quick Lift Service Jack — 3 1/2-Ton, Model# XL35 | Floor Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment
Click to expand...



Wow, that's a nice jack! That's the first consumer-grade jack I've seen that combines a fairly high weight rating, solid lift height, and low profile construction. Usually you have to sacrifice one of the three.



Danase said:
I don't get it either. It might be keeping the pinch seam from crushing but it's putting the weight on something not intended for the job.
Click to expand...



It's not bypassing the pinch welds for the sheet metal, like I believe you might be thinking. It actually allows the lifting force to be disbursed along the full length of that adapter, rather than the two 1/4" contact points you get with a traditional cupped round jack pad.
 
Sears just had a great sale. Was like $79 for:



3 Ton Jack

2 Jack Stands

Creeper



I have a 2009 Accourd Coupe and i use that floor jack with 0 issues.
 
Jack and jack stands; AC; unmatched quality & hydraulics-will support it's rating indefinitely without bleeding down; the jack stands have 1/2 steel push pins that pass through the stand cage positively locking the head in place.



Personally, I would not want to trust my a** under a car with any cheapo jack or stand. I've had hydraulic jack cylinders fail, and saw tooth stands ratchet down a few teeth when loaded. Drive it up on ramps if you need to keep the price down.



As far as a torque wrench goes; if you want just a basic model then a beam type will do, you can beat it around and it will still get you pretty close; if you need a more sophisticated one, then a click-stop model, however if you drop the click-stop or otherwise abuse it, it will loose it's calibration. If you're assembling the Space Shuttle then expect to spend $500-1000, otherwise a Sears Craftsman will do nicely.



BD
 
lol you know i wrote a whole big thing yesterday only to have it get stuck in the moderation que nobody is looking at, point being, craftsman jacks and stands is all ive ever used since i was a teen. Stay away from AC Delco, or generally any jacks that have very small wheels.
 
ten39 said:
Wow, that's a nice jack! That's the first consumer-grade jack I've seen that combines a fairly high weight rating, solid lift height, and low profile construction. Usually you have to sacrifice one of the three.







It's not bypassing the pinch welds for the sheet metal, like I believe you might be thinking. It actually allows the lifting force to be disbursed along the full length of that adapter, rather than the two 1/4" contact points you get with a traditional cupped round jack pad.
Click to expand...



Yep, that's what I was thinking. I get it now. That makes more sense!
 
An easy way to do it guys, if you don't want to buy a pinch weld adapter is to simply purchase a hockey puck or even a section of lumber then just cut out the width of the pinch weld and go.



Its MUCH easier than having to change the saddle if you had to jack it up by something other than a pinch weld
 
Hein Werner is the best I know of. They're made in USA and last a lifetime. I've never had a Chinese jack last longer than a year. The hydraulics are just crap in those things. From what I've seen, most jack stands are the same as long as they're wide enough.
 
khjr said:
Interesting. I'm curious about those, and am uncertain as to the intent or need.



When I jack up my (heavy) Honda Pilot from an undercar jack point, I use regular Sears heavy duty jack stands to support it at the pinchweld jack points. Would I need to buy a set of 4 of those adapters to properly support the car? Anyone have any stories as to what might happen otherwise?



Is it a matter of the car simply slipping off of the jack, or is there a concern for bending or crumpling that pinchweld somehow?
Click to expand...



No that adapter goes on the jack itself enabling you to lift from the factory jack jackpoints just under the doorrail/runningboard spots. Without having to go under the car to line up the jack.



Here's another kind that might be more explanitory:



side-lift-jack-pad.jpg






But you don't need to jack this way. It's just a bit easier.
 
wn1998 said:
sears low profile jack is great and only $59

Craftsman 2-1/2 Ton Floor Jack, Low Profile



I would get jack stands from walmart or similar store for around $20/set
Click to expand...



I looked at that one and it would have worked on the pinch welds but it wouldn't have reached the jackpoints further under the body. Especially since I put on a body kit with some nice wide side skirts. :xyxthumbs



That Arcan jack has a nice long reach. At 12-1/2 inches back it's still under 6" high.



And it lifts to 22"!













319lu40L-ML._SL500_AA280_.jpg
 
FYI - all depends on capacity and duty cycle you intend to subject the jack/stands/torque wrench to.



What are you doing w/the torque wrench? What level of precision do you need? You can buy a 1/2" click-type torque wrench at Harbor Freight (+/-4% measurement tolerance) for literally $10. If more precision is required, jump up to a better quality click wrench (BTW, the typical Craftsman wrench, shown in sale fliers, doesn't get particularly good reviews from consumers). You can spend a lot on a wrench. If all you're doing is reinstalling lug nuts, occasionally, go less expensive.



For jacks - again, it depends. First, you might look at Craig's List for an older, USA made, low profile jack. Or, consider calling a local hydraulics company that either sells (or has access to) used jacks. A good value if you find one. If you are using one, again, occasionally, consider the cheaper jacks from HD, Sears, Harbor Freight, etc.. I bought the jack below from HF for $59. Will be used for the occasional corner lift for tire changing (I have a big, heavy Walker jack for bigger lifts).



- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices



I also found reference to this company on The Garage Journal Forum. Take a look - might be worth a call regarding available jacks &/or recommendations.



Hydraulic Jack Rebuild



Jack stands - look at the mass of the stand & size of the teeth/support pins. They are available everywhere & probably come from the same places. HF has some big ones on sale a lot.



See ya. :wavey







fugaz15 said:
What's up fellas?



I'm looking to get a floor jack and jack stands for my car so I can better clean my wheels and rotate my tires myself.



I have a 2008 Accord Coupe, so I'd need a floor jack with a fairly low profile. Any recommendations? All are jack stands basically the same?



Home Depot sells a husky 2ton floor jack for about $50 and a pair of 2 ton jack stands for $25. Those prices seem a bit low for a quality product.



While I'm asking... any recommendations on a good torque wrench? Preferably don't want to spend more than about $75 or $100.



Thanks!



Dave
Click to expand...
 
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