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Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? #3008747
01/25/22 10:29 AM
01/25/22 10:29 AM
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Loudoun County, VA
Brad_Haak Offline OP
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Brad_Haak  Offline OP
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I'm considering getting an aluminum floor jack to have a lighter weight alternative to throw in the trunk for track days. I'd rather not spend the money on a throw-away piece, but don't want to drop big bucks, either. Suggestions welcome!

FWIW, there's a Harbor Fright 10 minutes from me, so if they have something decent, it's readily available. However, that's not saying I WANT to buy a HF jack. Thx


2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320 (2022)
100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft)
wheels, tires, air filter: 1.714, 11.833 at 115.80 (DA 310 ft)

1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip (2008)
pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3008750
01/25/22 10:33 AM
01/25/22 10:33 AM
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United Socialist States of Ame...
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Brad...I have a harbor freight aluminum racing jack. It has been good to me. I have used it on my 64 Dodge,my pickups, and even used it to jack up the back of my 3010 John Deere tractor to put on the winter chains.


The end is near.....
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3008775
01/25/22 11:14 AM
01/25/22 11:14 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,774
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
not_a_charger Offline
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Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
We had a HF aluminum jack at work, and we beat the hell out of it for years with no issues.


Earning every penny of that moderator paycheck.

DBAP
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: not_a_charger] #3008780
01/25/22 11:21 AM
01/25/22 11:21 AM
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Tulsa OK
Bad340fish Offline
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I use the small aluminum jack from HF at the track. It was $99 ten years ago, I think they are like $69 now. I actually use it a fair amount around the house as well, for just a tire change or something where I don't need the car high its perfect. I have totally expected it to fail by now lol.

It also has like 5 million pumps on it from my kid jacking up hot wheels.


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Bad340fish] #3008787
01/25/22 11:39 AM
01/25/22 11:39 AM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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A local independent tire guy that sells A LOT or tires and nothing else & uses strictly floor jacks. he was paying 600+ for Snap offs and getting about a year out of them. The local HF store manager stopped in for some tires and asked about the service life on the jacks. When he heard a year, he said I will sell you 3 of our (new at the time) Daytona jacks with a 3 year money back guarantee in writing on our letterhead. he bought the jacks and a few more since. he loves them. believe me these jacks get USED almost non stop 9 hours a day 6 days a week beer
Due to my experiences with other "Name Brand" made in america (but really in China) jacks, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. But I am currently down to just myself in the shop and my 10yo OTC floor boss and 50+ yo Hein Werner are doing fine

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3008800
01/25/22 11:55 AM
01/25/22 11:55 AM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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I have one sitting in my shop that I never use. If you were local you could borrow it to see if it would work for you.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: AndyF] #3008815
01/25/22 12:39 PM
01/25/22 12:39 PM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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north of coder
i have a couple of the Hobo Fright aluminum jacks, one i bought new when it was on sale, and one i bought for 15 or 20 bucks at a swap meet.
both have worked great for me over the last 6-8-10yrs or so i have had them.
sure beats lugging the two 3 ton sears jacks, and my old hein-warner jack around.
i'm getting too old to be heaving steel jacks in my bus or a car trunk.
beer

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: moparx] #3008823
01/25/22 01:04 PM
01/25/22 01:04 PM
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Holland MI Ottawa
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2boltmain Offline
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Harbor Freight used to sell exclusively throw away stuff. The type of tools you'd keep in a kitchen drawer. While they still offer screwdrivers and pliers made from Jolly Rancher candy they also offer really good lines of tools. They have upped their game in the past decade. I have a steel 3 ton floor jack I bought from them in 2003- still works great. I have their low profile 3 ton jack I bought in 2015 and its been great.


Keep old mopars alive.
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: 2boltmain] #3008833
01/25/22 01:16 PM
01/25/22 01:16 PM
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W. Kentucky
justinp61 Offline
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I have had two of the HF steel 3 ton floor jacks for years and my only complaint is they leak down, I returned one and the replacement leaks down too. About 5 or 6 years ago I bought one of the aluminum fast pump racing jacks, it’s been great. The heavy steel jacks seldom get used anymore.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: justinp61] #3008843
01/25/22 01:50 PM
01/25/22 01:50 PM
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Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Online work
"Little"John
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I bought three Harbor Freight jacks over the years. They threw in three blue flashlights, some batteries, an electrical meter, and some screwdrivers.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3008973
01/25/22 07:58 PM
01/25/22 07:58 PM
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Posts: 1,072
Loudoun County, VA
Brad_Haak Offline OP
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Brad_Haak  Offline OP
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Well, that's interesting... and not what I expected to hear. Thx!


2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320 (2022)
100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft)
wheels, tires, air filter: 1.714, 11.833 at 115.80 (DA 310 ft)

1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip (2008)
pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3009023
01/25/22 10:07 PM
01/25/22 10:07 PM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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Do be cautious of any "Made in America" claims as I believe only two companies still exist and maybe down to one. The others are well known names now owned by SHINN FU and are imported junk parading under the old names. Likely does'nt apply as i do not believe any are aluminum.
And yes HF has improved their quality on a lot of items and the prices are reflecting it wink beer

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: TJP] #3009032
01/25/22 10:28 PM
01/25/22 10:28 PM
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Central Michigan
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nuthinbutmopar Offline
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I'll join the chorus: I've got 3 of the HF 1.5 ton aluminum racing jacks, and they're great. Bought the first one to throw in my trailer-tow box; it's been used to help roll wrecks onto the open trailer, change flats on the side of the road, move all kinds of printing and industrial equipment, and it still works great. When I bought my van it didn't have a jack, so I bought a second one that gets used more when other people are broke down on the side of the road. I ended up with a third when my wife started a long commute and wanted to be able to change a flat on her own. Mine all live in boxes with the handles off. I found a Home Depot toolbox that the jack will fit into broken down, with a folding 4-way or breaker bar and sockets, some gloves, a pair of wheel chocks, and a zip-lock with scrubby wipes. They're light enough to just pick up instead of dragging across the garage floor. I think I've gotten all of mine on sale for $79 each.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Brad_Haak] #3009123
01/26/22 10:38 AM
01/26/22 10:38 AM
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Tulsa OK
Bad340fish Offline
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Tulsa OK
Originally Posted by Brad_Haak
Well, that's interesting... and not what I expected to hear. Thx!


I forgot to mention that the small aluminum floor jacks go well with the small aluminum jack. They aren't tall but they are tall enough to let me get under my car and change shocks each day on drag week.

I will also add that I have the big yellow "daytona" jack from HF. Its awesome, it even rolls super smooth and quiet. It would not be something I took to the track though haha.


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: Bad340fish] #3009147
01/26/22 11:58 AM
01/26/22 11:58 AM
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md
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The small Harbor Freight aluminum jack seems to be hit or miss. My friend went through two of them in a fairly short period or time. My father in law`s jack has lasted for a long time. I have yet to buy one but the price is enticing even though I tend to stay away from the harbor freight stuff.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: justinp61] #3009161
01/26/22 01:03 PM
01/26/22 01:03 PM
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Posts: 279
pgh pa
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captaindodge Offline
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I think they are made to "leak down" to get people to use safety stands.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: captaindodge] #3009174
01/26/22 01:16 PM
01/26/22 01:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
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north of coder
Originally Posted by captaindodge
I think they are made to "leak down" to get people to use safety stands.



a buddy of mine had a jack leak down on him once.
damn good thing a guy came around to bs with him ! eek
no more getting under anything without stands !
beer

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: moparx] #3009527
01/27/22 10:33 AM
01/27/22 10:33 AM
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Yeah, stands are a must. My Craftsman aluminum floor jack I bought years ago would leak down pretty much ever since new. They didn`t service parts for the power unit and only sold as a complete unit. I bought a new power unit for it and it has been fine going on 15 years or so.

Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: mopars4ever] #3009535
01/27/22 10:54 AM
01/27/22 10:54 AM
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"Little"John
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I bought these last year and love them

79521893-7586-4448-9FE4-33ED3AEBEF15.jpeg

1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Decent & affordable aluminum floor jacks? [Re: pittsburghracer] #3009548
01/27/22 11:48 AM
01/27/22 11:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
Bad340fish Offline
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I like that, details?


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
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