Floor Jack recomendation?

[wally426ci]

I need a good floor jack and my budget is up to $250.

I have read the multiple threads from the guys on Moparts that can afford $600 OTC jacks, but thats not me.

Craftsmen is terrible, China freight is worse. I found an OTC jack that isnt bad but its 2 ton. will that handle the load of my car?

thats roughly 4000lbs, i think my 71 Challenger is around 3500lbs? 

[72rtchallenger]

2 ton should work fine, am not sure of your needs but here is a 3 ton OTC 3-Ton Stinger Service Jack
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC1504A-OTC-3-Ton-Stinger-Service-Jack-/290461612925?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item43a0dc7b7d

[wally426ci]

Thanks!

I did read some not so great reviews on the less expensive OTC's though......

[mjb765]

I need a good floor jack and my budget is up to $250.

I have read the multiple threads from the guys on Moparts that can afford $600 OTC jacks, but thats not me.

Craftsmen is terrible, China freight is worse. I found an OTC jack that isnt bad but its 2 ton. will that handle the load of my car?

thats roughly 4000lbs, i think my 71 Challenger is around 3500lbs? 

A 2 ton should be fine....remember you are not lifting the entire car with 1 jack.

[wally426ci]

Oh yeah!    didnt think of it that way. 

[Moparal]

I bought my 2  3.5 tons off the snapon truck in the early 80's.  they still work like new.  Biggest issue I always see on other friends jacks , is the jack pad isn't big enough. A bigger pad area helps when you lift on the K member, helps when you set a suregrip chunk on it and it stays steady, and also fits a 4speed housing right in the pad cup. Makes life easier for sure.  average size pads are 4 6 and 8 inch.  See if the jack you get has a removeable pad to install other add ons.  Never skimp on jacks or stands.  You will be glad you got a bigger size when your car is on a trailer and you need to lift the side. Bigger taller stands , gets your car up higher to slide you and the creeper on it without scraping the belly   Also lets you get the trans up under the car easier.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I still have my original Craftsman jack (USA MADE!) from the 70's. A few years back got a Sams club (chinese I'm sure)  SAys rousch on it, but I've seen Goodyear and Michelin that look identical. Its held up faily well (just home use). Whern it starts to leak I'll just throw it away! 

[jimynick]

Exactly what Al said. I bought a 2 ton, big pad Blawkhawk off the Snap-on guy in the mid 70's and she's running fine to this day. He made another excellent point about the quality of your lifting and safety equipment. Not much comfort in a $75 jack or $10 set of stands when the car pins you to the ground and kills/maims you. Be safe!

[wally426ci]

I agree on safety and quality, which is why i wanted to spend as much as i can afford. The OTC aluminum 2 ton i found is $250 with free shipping, i think i may go for it. Lifetime warranty, i think its chinese but the warranty should help.

[Road_Runner]

Does anyone know if there still is a truly U.S. made option for these?  I'd like to pick up some more jack stands, might pick up a more HD floor jack at some point, too.  I never get under the car with just the jack & no stands so my current Craftsman works, but I'm 100% behind safety first.

Later, Jim