Floor Jack Recommendations

[bill1013]

I have a Harbor Freight jack, and it has worked fine for me. If/when it starts to fail, off it goes to the dump, and I buy a new jack, probably again from Harbor Freight. They are too cheap to bother with, trying to rebuild, IMO.

That’s the corporate motto, “Throw it away and buy another one.” It’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for the old ones. Back then they were made to last. And they do.

I repaired a friend’s hydraulic press that was made in the 1880’s. After finding a company that repaired them and sold me the repair “O” rings, seals and gaskets it worked like the day it was made. The company made a generous offer to purchase it should I ever want to sell it. I passed the info on to my friend.

I always keep an eye out for the old “stuff”. It’s reparable and much better quality than what’s available today. Aloha!

 

[SpareParts]

That’s the corporate motto, “Throw it away and buy another one.” It’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for the old ones. Back then they were made to last. And they do.

I repaired a friend’s hydraulic press that was made in the 1880’s. After finding a company that repaired them and sold me the repair “O” rings, seals and gaskets it worked like the day it was made. The company made a generous offer to purchase it should I ever want to sell it. I passed the info on to my friend.

I always keep an eye out for the old “stuff”. It’s reparable and much better quality than what’s available today. Aloha!

For sure, but at my age ill just buy a new one.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

That’s the corporate motto, “Throw it away and buy another one.” It’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for the old ones. Back then they were made to last. And they do.

I repaired a friend’s hydraulic press that was made in the 1880’s. After finding a company that repaired them and sold me the repair “O” rings, seals and gaskets it worked like the day it was made. The company made a generous offer to purchase it should I ever want to sell it. I passed the info on to my friend.

I always keep an eye out for the old “stuff”. It’s reparable and much better quality than what’s available today. Aloha!

Corporate, schmorporate. I'll be honest with you. I've got MUCH better things to do with my time remaining, than to waste my time looking for, purchasing, and installing/rebuilding replacement parts for a less than $300 floor jack. I understand that other folks have different opinions, and that is perfectly OK with me.

 

[bigdog9191999]

i know several guys that have had great luck with the hazzard freight jacks, and when i have to buy one this is probably what it will be, otherwise i have a couple old school snap-on that dad had ( was mechanic) that have been used to death over a great number of years.

 

[15burban]

On harbor freight website right now if anyone is looking at buying one soon.

 

[strutaeng]

I've got an Arcan (i think that's tbe brand?) from Northern Tool. Probably 12 years old and lives outside. I'm sure it's similar to the HF versions. It's a low clearance version which is not necessary unless you are also lifting a car

Works well for my 1500 Silverado, 2500 suburban, 3500 Express van and our 13 Chrysler minivan.

 

[OR VietVet]

I have an ArCan 3 ton aluminum floor jack, too. I use it for smaller cars lifting or if I am taking a floor jack somewhere. It has a max lift height of 20". I had one that was about 9 months old and it failed and I called ArCan about the problem and I talked to a nice lady and she volunteered that they had several rams that were defective and mine was one of them. She drop shipped a new floor jack to me within 2 days. Told me I could do what I wanted with the old defective floor jack. I sold it for $50 at CL with a disclaimer about the defect problem. The buyer wanted the body/frame of the jack. He had plans.

 

[West 1]

My son has a Ford Excursion Diesel, it needed a new rear pinion seal before he left on a 3,000 mile trip towing a trailer. We rolled it into my garage, I put my reliable 2,000 pound Lincoln under it and started to lift the truck. Nothing happened, it was like my jack broke and hit the wall. No way would it pump up? I question my son about what he has in the back of the excursion? It has blacked out windows. Truck was not squatting? He says he has a his Lathe in there, weighs about 2,000 pounds. So I had a 7,000 pound excursion with 2,000 extra pounds sitting over the rear axle. Only time my poor old Lincoln let me down except when a seal failed and it started leaking last year. My second Floor Jack is made in Norway, I forget the brand but it is a nice low profile jack also is rated 2,000 pounds. By putting one jack under each side by the tire I was able to lift the truck to jack stands for the repair. and we got it done. It is nice to have a good quality working jack when needed. You don't want them letting you down when really needed.
The 2 jack stands were rated 4,000 pounds each so it was as safe as I could make it. Of course he was leaving the morning after this repair. FYI: the Excursion has the 7.3L Diesel, with the Lathe in the rear and a 6,000 pound trailer in tow that damn truck got 16 MPG and he went 70-75 as much as he could on the long trip. It is tuned with a large exhaust but still, that is incredible mileage for that speed and weight. The trailer was a car trailer with a passenger car not a travel trailer.

 

[OR VietVet]

My son has a Ford Excursion Diesel, it needed a new rear pinion seal before he left on a 3,000 mile trip towing a trailer. We rolled it into my garage, I put my reliable 2,000 pound Lincoln under it and started to lift the truck. Nothing happened, it was like my jack broke and hit the wall. No way would it pump up? I question my son about what he has in the back of the excursion? It has blacked out windows. Truck was not squatting? He says he has a his Lathe in there, weighs about 2,000 pounds. So I had a 7,000 pound excursion with 2,000 extra pounds sitting over the rear axle. Only time my poor old Lincoln let me down except when a seal failed and it started leaking last year. My second Floor Jack is made in Norway, I forget the brand but it is a nice low profile jack also is rated 2,000 pounds. By putting one jack under each side by the tire I was able to lift the truck to jack stands for the repair. and we got it done. It is nice to have a good quality working jack when needed. You don't want them letting you down when really needed.
The 2 jack stands were rated 4,000 pounds each so it was as safe as I could make it. Of course he was leaving the morning after this repair. FYI: the Excursion has the 7.3L Diesel, with the Lathe in the rear and a 6,000 pound trailer in tow that damn truck got 16 MPG and he went 70-75 as much as he could on the long trip. It is tuned with a large exhaust but still, that is incredible mileage for that speed and weight. The trailer was a car trailer with a passenger car not a travel trailer.

So, you have two floor jacks and both are 1 ton floor jacks?

 

[West 1]

So, you have two floor jacks and both are 1 ton floor jacks?

Yes and both get frequent use, the Norway jack is lower than the Lincoln so works better on BMW’s and other low profile cars. The old Lincoln with larger wheels can’t get under some of these new cars.


Doing full rear axle changes is a snap with two floor jacks.

 

[TonyS1203]

So, the last time I wrote about my NAPA Blue Beast floor jack was 2024 when I estimated it's age at 35 years old and it still lives with more TLC but, as previously suggested by members, I am starting the search for a replacement.

My use is (residential) for the Tahoe and a Subaru, but more and more the Tahoe, so a significant lift height is in order.
The appropriate capacity might be in the 3 Ton area, plus or minus. I presume over sizing might increase lifespan if not used to full capacity.

I would appreciate any brand/model suggestions that might last at least 10 years.
Also, a serviceable cylinder might be a good thing because I could never find parts for my old Beast but I luckily had good luck with. The local hydraulics warehouse couldn't match up seals to have on hand.

I realize that it's probably going to have to be an import but which country(s) and companies are better, perhaps middle of the pack?

I have to laugh at Harbor Freight jacks having a 90 day warranty that is far from confidence inspiring.
Jacks are too heavy to be buying disposable ones at my stage of life.

I recently purchased a Daytona 3 Ton at Harbor freight for 160 bucks. Works great

 

[mwswarrior]

I've used this one for several years on several GM Trucks and SUVs as well as smaller vehicles that required the lower clearance. No issues so far. Very confident in it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-long-reach-low-profile-professional-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-black-64781.html

 

[fredcook]

Another Harbor Freight Daytona Jack user here. It lifts our Tahoes like there's nothing on it. Never thought about it until now, but it's the only floor jack I've owned that hadn't started seeping oil/fluid. I got this one for its low profile design to fit under a 2005 CTS-V I had purchased new back then. Man, that makes it 20 years old! Time flies. And now i just realized I've owned this jack longer than any other, and I've been through several since the mid 1970's, including a couple that cost nearly twice as much.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-professional-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-green-64786.html

I also have the cross beam. It works great under the front to raise the front end up.

https://www.harborfreight.com/steel-floor-jack-cross-beam-64051.html

 

[houstontaylor]

I have an Arcan aluminum jack which is much lighter than a regular floor jack. Replacement rubber pads are available online for the lifting surface that provide better cushioning and grip. I live on the second floor of an apartment so weight is a concern. It's also useful if I have to go help somebody and put the jack in the back of my car. I've never had any problem with it and have had it for years.

 

[89Suburban]

My Daytona 4 Ton in action with

Another Harbor Freight Daytona Jack user here. It lifts our Tahoes like there's nothing on it. Never thought about it until now, but it's the only floor jack I've owned that hadn't started seeping oil/fluid. I got this one for its low profile design to fit under a 2005 CTS-V I had purchased new back then. Man, that makes it 20 years old! Time flies. And now i just realized I've owned this jack longer than any other, and I've been through several since the mid 1970's, including a couple that cost nearly twice as much.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-professional-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-green-64786.html

I also have the cross beam. It works great under the front to raise the front end up.

https://www.harborfreight.com/steel-floor-jack-cross-beam-64051.html

That cross beam is on my wish list.

 

[EddieC]

ESCO Tripod stands came. Very impressive build quality, sizable feet, heavy materials, and option for 2 support post styles. Good height for the truck extending to 21 1/2 inches.