Aluminum jack?

[robfrey]

I'm looking for about a two ton aluminum jack (preferably not Chicom) for taking to the the races.
Decent quality but not too expensive. Any suggestions?

[Peter Jack]

If you're going to the salt, why not go with Harbor Freight and figure on replacing it occasionally. At the price they're affordable. Why ruin a good one in those corrosive conditions.

Pete

[robfrey]

Do the harbor Freight jacks work ok?

[stratman59]

We have been using one for about two years.
no problems cost 70.00$ with a coupon.
just run at Maxton not sure how it will hold up on the salt but at that price who cares.

Later

Robbie

[gray63]

Rob,  I  used a HARBOR FREIGHT jack last year on the salt and it worked
great, especially the low profile, BUT it required much cleaning and lubrication when
I got back home. All of the wheels were seized up, but it is working fine now.
I don't expect an long life from this jack, but it wasn't expensive either.
I wouldn't want to take an expensive aluminum jack to Bonneville.
Regards,  Dave

[Cajun Kid]

I have 5 Aluminum Jacks, 2 are from harbor freight, 2 from Nothern Tool and 1 from Sears.


The cheap harbor freight jacks do a fine job both in the shop and at the track.
(but now that I have room, they both stay in the race trailer year round)

No matter if you have a cheap jack or a top name USA made jack,,, make sure to have Jack Stands in place before you crawl under a car...Never trust the jack alone...

Charles

[Peter Jack]

Unfortunately the expensive aluminum jacks will submit to the corrosive effects of the salt just as fast as the cheap ones. If you could find one built from 5000 series aluminum it might be a bit better but I doubt that you'll ever be able to get the specs on the aluminum used.

I was pleasantly surprised with the positive comments toward the Harbor Freight jacks even though the ones I've used have worked pretty well. The off shore stuff is often junk.

This forum is amazing for finding out the consensus opinion on a lot of different subjects. Thanks to all who contribute.

Pete

[Stan Back]

I've got one of the low profile Harbor Freight aluminum jacks that I use for my roadster and sedan because of the low lift height.  Had it a few years.
 
They're not real proud of them -- when I bought it they asked if I wanted the extended warranty. 
"How long is the regular warranty?" 
30 days. 
"How long is the extended warranty?" 
90 days. 

I guess it all depends or many times you use it.

I'll echo trusting your life to Chinese o-rings.  When someone explained that to me I became a believer in jackstands.

[Nortonist 592]

Jack stand, Peter Jack, Aluminum Jack.  This is all getting confusing.

[Peter Jack]

You think you're confused?

Pete

[4-barrel Mike]

We have been using one for about two years.
no problems cost 70.00$ with a coupon.
just run at Maxton not sure how it will hold up on the salt but at that price who cares.

Later

Robbie

Current coupon for printing:
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?week=5211&campaign=b&page=coupon3.html&single=true&cust=00148393926&keycode=1003

Mike

[Bob Drury]

    First of all, pay a little more and get the 2 ton jack.  It has dual pistons  and is built a little better.
   Secondly keep in mind that a Rapid Pump Jack such as Harbor Freight sells, also comes down in a hurry.  I dropped my car and crushed one sides exhaust even though I was trying to let it down easy.
  Costco used to sell a excellent aluminum jack made by Alcan, but I don't know if they still sell them.
  Lastly, as with all Chinese junk, retighten every last bolt, lube everything with WD40, and here is one more tip:  one of the guys at H.F. said you should always raise and lower the jack a couple of times with no load on it to purge any air out of it.
  Keep in mind the guy who assembled it probably boxed it upside down!

[wobblywalrus]

We keep a 2' by 2' plywood board in the truck to put under the jack.  This keeps the jack base off of the salt.  Keep and operate the jack in a trash bag.  The jack is in the bag, not you.  The handle sticks out of the bag.  This keeps the salt off of the jack. 

[Old Scrambler]

I have been known to wear a clear trash bag when hunting on rainy days...........but I've never jacked a trash-bag!

[Nortonist 592]

Hope you don't buy your trash bags from Target.