Floor Jack

[07 Hoe]

What weight capacity would you recommend for a floor jack? I have an '01 regular cab silverado. I'm looking at buying a 3000 lb low profile floor jack at harbor freight tools and was wondering if this would handle the weight of my truck. I'm primarily going to use it for tire changes and general maintenance. Just curious. :D

[DSZ71]

Here is an alternative, get a 6 ton bottle jack. They are so easy to store and take with you on long drives. Much more portable than any shop floor jack. If you want to do some work on your truck, then get 2 bottle jacks, you'll even save money doing so. But if you want a floor jack, you can get away with a 3 ton.

[07 Hoe]

The bottle jack does make sense but my truck is lowered. Plus, I don't think I'll be taking the floor jack in my truck with me (I'll have to live with the jack provided by GM for that). A 3 ton seems like a lot (and they weigh a lot too). Wonder if I could get away with the 2 ton or even a 2 1/2 ton?

[DSZ71]

Well now that you have included the fact that your truck is lowered, then a 2 ton will work okay.

[07 Hoe]

Originally posted by DSZ71
Well now that you have included the fact that your truck is lowered, then a 2 ton will work okay.

Ooops, should have mentioned that earlier. :crazy: I'll try the 2 ton.

[454ss]

Originally posted by 01Sportside
What weight capacity would you recommend for a floor jack? I have an '01 regular cab silverado. I'm looking at buying a 3000 lb low profile floor jack at harbor freight tools and was wondering if this would handle the weight of my truck. I'm primarily going to use it for tire changes and general maintenance. Just curious. :D I bought the same jack last month:head:

[07 Hoe]

Originally posted by 454ss
I bought the same jack last month:head:

Oh really, what do you think about the jack? Did you get the 1.5 or 2 ton model? Any problems with it?

[454ss]

Originally posted by 01Sportside
Oh really, what do you think about the jack? Did you get the 1.5 or 2 ton model? Any problems with it?
I got this one, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47246

I've only used it once so far but it lifted with very little effort....it's very well made also.

[07 Hoe]

Originally posted by 454ss
I got this one, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47246

I've only used it once so far but it lifted with very little effort....it's very well made also.

Cool, that's the one I'm going to pick up tomorrow (if they still have any). The local Harbor Freight had two left Friday. I'm glad to hear your using the 1.5 ton model with no problems. I didn't think I had to get the 2 ton model, plus it's like $70 more than the one you got.

[DSZ71]

Originally posted by 454ss
I got this one, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47246

I've only used it once so far but it lifted with very little effort....it's very well made also.

Its from Harbor Freight, forgive me, but I havnet seen anything from Harbor Freight that has been built well....its all made in China. The other day Sears had a 3 ton floor jack that came with 2- 3ton stands for $90. Now thats a better quality jack for only a few $$ more. I would trust Craftsman before HF (China), especially with a 5000 lb truck hovering over me.

[454ss]

Originally posted by DSZ71
Its from Harbor Freight, forgive me, but I havnet seen anything from Harbor Freight that has been built well....its all made in China. The other day Sears had a 3 ton floor jack that came with 2- 3ton stands for $90. Now thats a better quality jack for only a few $$ more. I would trust Craftsman before HF (China), especially with a 5000 lb truck hovering over me. I bought this one cause it's aluminum so I can take it to the track, also it will fit under a lowered truck....My friends shop has 3 heavy duty US General floor jacks and they look and feel stronger then the cheap sears jack, I have no clue where it was made but this one is made well.

[Vortec1500]

I have one of Harbor Freights 2 1/4 ton floor jacks model number 4172 i beleive.....had it for 2 years..works great on my pickups and cars! I also have one of their aluminum floorjacks and it works good also. Ive had goodluck with all the hydraulic items from harbor freight... but some of their electronic stuff is what you gotta watch out for sometimes. :D

[DSZ71]

Originally posted by 454ss
I bought this one cause it's aluminum so I can take it to the track, also it will fit under a lowered truck....My friends shop has 3 heavy duty US General floor jacks and they look and feel stronger then the cheap sears jack, I have no clue where it was made but this one is made well.

If it is bought at HF, then is from China, everything is. The names on their products, Chicago Pneumatic, US Hydraulics, Central Machinery, .... are just stickers to make people feel better about getting the products. I own several tools from HF, heck they are cheap, but I also understand that I get what I pay for.

[CKTA]

Originally posted by DSZ71
Its from Harbor Freight, forgive me, but I havnet seen anything from Harbor Freight that has been built well....its all made in China. The other day Sears had a 3 ton floor jack that came with 2- 3ton stands for $90. Now thats a better quality jack for only a few $$ more. I would trust Craftsman before HF (China), especially with a 5000 lb truck hovering over me.

For the record....and i love both my 3 ton Craftsman jacks......they are made in China too. Look by the grease fitting.:read:

[454ss]

Originally posted by DSZ71
If it is bought at HF, then is from China, everything is. The names on their products, Chicago Pneumatic, US Hydraulics, Central Machinery, .... are just stickers to make people feel better about getting the products. I own several tools from HF, heck they are cheap, but I also understand that I get what I pay for. It's sitting right next to my American made snap on 3.1/2 ton jack and it still looks very good to me.:rocking:

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1054884#post1054884

[Cracker]

Originally posted by DSZ71
Its from Harbor Freight, forgive me, but I havnet seen anything from Harbor Freight that has been built well....its all made in China. The other day Sears had a 3 ton floor jack that came with 2- 3ton stands for $90. Now thats a better quality jack for only a few $$ more. I would trust Craftsman before HF (China), especially with a 5000 lb truck hovering over me.

I have the Craftsman you are referring to in my toolbox. It works fine.

My only complaint is that under pressure the lever will sometimes rise, is this common? Any solutions?

[DSZ71]

Okay perhaps ya'll are mis-understanding me. I have tools from HF, and they work well. Its just that if they break on me, I will not be suprised. Now Crafstman on the other hand, if it breaks then I can always take it in to Sears and get it replaced...free. But for that service I will pay a bit $$ than any tool from HF. Thats the opportunity cost. Again, I say, HF tools are good because they are cheap to buy, but dont expect it to last very long. I have gone through 2, count em, 2 tubing notchers from HF, until I finally got pissed and bought the notcher from ProTools (double the price....no problems with breakage). Also, I have some air tools from HF that crapped out on me within 4 months of using them...again....I was out the money because they do not offer a warranty like Sears does. These are my experiences with HF tools, so I can say that for me, I got what I paid for.