Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ucdavis.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!ucdavis!ccrse From: ccrse@ucdavis.UUCP (0058) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Re: Jacks Message-ID: <225@ucdavis.UUCP> Date: Mon, 4-Nov-85 20:21:14 EST Article-I.D.: ucdavis.225 Posted: Mon Nov 4 20:21:14 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 5-Nov-85 23:30:51 EST References: <121@gt-cmmsr.UUCP> <285@mhuxa.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: University of California, Davis Lines: 30 > > I an thinking about buying an automotive jack--the kind with wheels > > on it. There seem to be two qualities. The cheap ones cost about > > $30-40 and the expensive ones about $80-120 (on sale). The expensive > > ones are about twice as big (bigger wheels, longer, bigger cups, more > > metal), but both are rated at 2 tons. > > > > Have you any recommendations? > My choice would be to go for the $80-120 jack. I was given one of the > cheap jacks for Christmas a few years ago and even though it does the job, > it's inferior. #1-The jack is limited to the height it goes to. Something > around 12-14 inches. Most times I have to use a 2x4 block to get high enough > for the lowest point on my jackstands. #2-One time when I was jacking up the > front end of a 1976 Gran Prix a support which was part of the saddle bent, > and the jack wouldn't go all the way down. Overall, in the long run the > more expensive jack is the best bet. Afterall, how many times in a lifetime > do you make a purchase as in a jack?.. I have access to both varieties of floor jack when I do my work, and I find that the small, "cheap" variety is the one I use most often. The reason is that the larger cup size, listed as an advantage of the larger jacks by the first respondant, simply will not fit on most of the jacking points on my car. Particularly with smaller cars, there may not be room around the jacking points for the larger cup. Though I agree with most of the arguments set forth in favor of the larger units, especially the greater lifting height, be sure to look at the jacking points on the car(s) that you intend to lift to make sure that the larger cup size wont be a liability instead of an asset. Taking this into account, buy the best jack you can afford *that's compatible with what you intend to lift*.