180 to spend on a jack... ideas?

[5t341tH]

how r the harbor fright ones at lowering the car down? im reading it at the site and it says it drops the car down quick.
should i buy the jack or should i buy the ramps instead.

[inertiaticism]

These things rock, but they cost a million dollars.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...Hydraulic1.htm

[donkayroo]

Originally Posted by 5t341tH

how r the harbor fright ones at lowering the car down? im reading it at the site and it says it drops the car down quick.
should i buy the jack or should i buy the ramps instead.

The harbor freight jacks are awesome and drop as smooth as butter when releasing the valve. Much smoother than any other jack I've used including the craftsmen versions.

How so? Simple...dowse all moving/rotating parts with lithium grease, especially where the handle inserts into the jack. I have the silver behemoth and the smooth release valve allows a very soft and controlled initial drop. Fast or slow it can do it all.

I can loosen the valve so minutely that it can take 15 minutes to drop the car from being topped out...yeah, I timed it. The grease helps reduce handle friction allowing minimal effort when rotating the handle to release pressure and helps prevent the nasty scratchy gritty feeling apparent in older abused jacks.

These are a great bang for your buck and better than investing in a "life timer" if you plan to take the jack around town. Use the harbor freight jack for taking around to track events or letting your friends borrow. Keep the super expensive jack in mint condition as a back-up.

Another member had already mentioned a vital practice that'll help insure the longevity of these jacks, just bleed the jack and grease periodically and you'll be good to go for a long time.

Additionally, I know car prep guys who put more use and abuse than anyone here on the forums combined...harbor freight and costco is all they use. Plus, they use these jacks to lift more than the recommended weight rating...full size SUV's and trucks.

The only downfall is the inability to use the fancy tranny holder attachments. You can rig a pinch attachment or have a shop weld one up to rest on the pad.

You don't want to be heart broken when your expensive jack gets jacked!

For those who have a super hammered S-chassis...roll up on a pair of 2x4's or old junk brake rotors up front so you can get the jack under your car. Quicker and more simple than bustin out a scissor jack. If 2x4's are still too low, $15 will get you some mini aluminum "ramps" (12''Lx6''Wx3''H) at Pep Boys that even come in a nifty black cloth carrying bag w/drawstring. I keep them in my trunk.

If 2x4's are too thick and hit your front bumper as you roll your car up to them, just set the wood behind the front wheels and back up onto the wood.

If you have the money buy two jacks. An expensive one and an affordable one. Keep in mind they won't last forever. Just like a car they're prone to wear and tear no matter how much you pay.