So it's time for me to attempt to start wrenching again and save some cash even though I will probably break things :bigthumb: With the plethora of jack's and jack stands out there I figured you-all could chime in and recommend a good reliable set-up. I guess for my needs; wrenching outdoors in a parking lot more than likely, I will need a jack that is tough, light and compact. Stands should be safe, light and compact. I know I should know this and I am aware of a few locations, but where are the best jack points? I may need a variety of options since I will be working with very tight space. Just a foot note apparently prior to me purchasing my vehicles some asshat used the rear floor board as a jacking point. The only dent I am not worried about fixing LOL! I do not want to duplicate such "asshattery"
I would look for some good jackstands with a wide base...I have the cheapies and on any slight grade they are dangerous. I have 2 jacks harbor freight 2 ton cheapie it is meh, but my monster low profile jack is the shit but you are talking 150 price diff.
I got the $30 set of stands and jack from advance. They work fine for my purposes. But I assume after repeated use outdoors they probly wouldn't last as long
I really like the aluminum craftsman jack and stands for the money. They are fairly light and pretty cheap considering the quality at 200 bucks. I also prefer the Jackstands with Pins, Its easier to get a visual reference with the pins than it is with the other kind. Matt
The craftsman low profile jack seems to be on par with the harbor frieght version (although maybe that is backwards). Budget $200 or so for a jack Stands? Be sure to get quality as these will prevent the car from crushing you
+1 for crafstman jack. I have a low profile aluminum jack and it is tons better than the cheapo jacks. For one, the jack point will lift up to your car in one stroke, so you aren't pumping over and over before even lifting the car any. Secondly, it has a extra long two-part handle, so you get lots of leverage. It costs around 200, but it is completely worth it if you are going to be using it often. I have two kinds of jack stands - one that adjusts with a removable pin and another that uses a ratchet and lever. The ratchet kind are much easier to use. These are cheapo's, not to bu used on anything but flat surfaces. They aren't the best, but I haven't been crushed yet....
I'm not sure who makes the Craftsman aluminum jacks, but the rest of their jacks suck. I haven't heard of one actually make it more than 6mos-1 year with light to moderate use. Its always the same thing that goes on them as well, a seal or two in the pump. Harbor freight(I have their 2 and 1/4 ton one, seriously over built for what it is rated at) or Northern tool has good prices on jacks as well.
anyone have a jack and some stands I can borrow? Mine have crapped out after all these years and I need to change my diff fluid and bleed my brakes.
Depends what time. I usually hit up Andretti about 9. Or I could stop by your work. You still at Starbucks?
I've had my craftsman 2 ton floor jack and stands for the past 7 or so years w/o any problems. I'm looking at the craftsman aluminum low profile jack as well. btw, sears runs a lot of sales around this time of year, which is when I get a lot of my tools. if your a craftsman club member (you can sign up for free) they often run 10% off your purchases.