Good budget 3-ton floor jack?

[2015Etrac]

Could anyone recommend a good budget (under $200) 3-ton floor jacket? Preferably an aluminium/steel one, the all steel ones tend to weight over 100lbs.

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[Ebm]

Could anyone recommend a good budget (under $200) 3-ton floor jacket? Preferably an aluminium/steel one, the all steel ones tend to weight over 100lbs.

I know people rag on Harbor Freight, but I've never had an issue with both of my floor jacks and they have been used and abused. I'd go Harbor Freight on this one. They have a heavy duty steel one and an aluminum racing version as well. The aluminum is more expensive, but that's normal.

 

[Strokerswild]

I know people rag on Harbor Freight, but I've never had an issue with both of my floor jacks and they have been used and abused. I'd go Harbor Freight on this one. They have a heavy duty steel one and an aluminum racing version as well. The aluminum is more expensive, but that's normal.

This.

I've got this HF jack and have zero complaints: https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62326.html

You'll want help getting it into and out of a vehicle though, the thing is a tank.

 

[Zed09]

This.

I've got this HF jack and have zero complaints: https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62326.html

You'll want help getting it into and out of a vehicle though, the thing is a tank.

I've got two of these and they've been great. HF also has a premium one called Daytona. Apparently Snap-on sued HF because it was nearly identical to their jack.

 

[2015Etrac]

Thank's guys. I appreciate the responses. I'll look into the Harbor Freight one.

 

[BmacIL]

Yeah I've been pretty happy with my low profile Pittsburgh/HF one.

 

[Shifting_Gears]

HF.. mine has had a car fall on it and is probably 7 years old and is the only jack that hasn’t failed me. Not saying it won’t eventually but it’s FAR tougher than the Craftsman POS “heavy duty” jack I had.

 

[sdiver68]

Make sure to consider low profile jacks. I've had a couple of instances where that feature made the difference. I went with the Arcan XL 2T about 5 years ago and it's been perfect with semi-regular use. Costco sells the 3 ton (less low profile and shorter) version of the same for $99 if you really need 3 ton.

 

[2015Etrac]

Thank's for the replies. We ended up getting him an aluminum one he wanted off Amazon. It had good reviews and is low profile. I agree with getting a low profile jack, I had an older jack that wouldn't fit under my car, luckily the newer one I have works. I feel like I have more clearance now with the GT350R springs and 275/40/19 tires than I did with the factory 20" wheels with 265/35/20. It should be about the same since the larger tires make up for the slight drop of the GT350R springs, but apparently it gives me a bit more room under the car.

Off topic, but I installed Steeda full length jacking rails today. Such an easy install and makes things so much easier.

 

[CrashOverride]

I realize I'm going to go against the grain here, but I never understood the whole Aluminum jack deal. Yeah it's heavy, but wouldn't you want one to be...It's keeping the car from turning you into a pancake.

I have one that I bought probably 20 years ago. It probably weighs more than some of my past cars. It's a little old in the tooth and starting to look cool (e.g. paint rubbing off from brake fluid and other dings and things).

My tip for noobs (Not implying anyone here is) is to go to home depot and get yourself some pipe insulation wrap and put it around the metal handle. Take some zip ties or electrical tape to keep it on. Inevitably one time you're going to bang the handle into the side of your car, and the paint will thank you for protecting it!

 

[Interceptor]

Good advice on the padded handle

 

[ChitownStang]

Any reason for a 3 ton, whole car is 2 tons right? I was looking at getting the Pittsburg racing 2 ton for $139 at hb, $5 more for 2.5 ton but weighs 10lbs more. 40lbs to 50lbs
My $75 craftsman 2.5 ton low profile just failed and it weighed 30lbs.
So is the 2 ton sufficient?

 

[2015Etrac]

Any reason for a 3 ton, whole car is 2 tons right? I was looking at getting the Pittsburg racing 2 ton for $139 at hb, $5 more for 2.5 ton but weighs 10lbs more. 40lbs to 50lbs
My $75 craftsman 2.5 ton low profile just failed and it weighed 30lbs.
So is the 2 ton sufficient?

He works on our dump truck too so we went with a 3 ton. I've had 3 Craftsman jacks, my 2 ton also failed. Right now I use a 2.5 ton aluminium/steel Craftsman jack that's been great the few times I used it. I ended up getting my brother-in-law one from Amazon. It's a 65lb aluminum jack that had good reviews for around $180.

 

[ChitownStang]

So a 2 ton jack is sufficient then? I transport mine sometimes if I need to go to a heated garage ao lighter is better.

 

[BmacIL]

So a 2 ton jack is sufficient then? I transport mine sometimes if I need to go to a heated garage ao lighter is better.

Margin.

2 ton will get the job done but I feel much more at ease with my 3 ton.

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