Recomendation for a "Good" racing jack

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MiataSteve
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Recomendation for a "Good" racing jack

Post by MiataSteve » Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:02 pm

My alum Craftsman jack leaks like a New Orleans levy....the replacement Costco unit threw up on the driveway while jacking up a Maxima. :shock:

OTC makes one. So does a company called "Ranger"

https://www.rangerproducts.com/files/337_455923486.pdf

Any experience with this unit or any other recommendations for a good unit that isn't huge $$$?

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Mick
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Post by Mick » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:16 pm

I had the same problem.
viewtopic.php?t=1500

I've since bought one of the $90 Harbor Freight jacks.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91039
It's smaller and much lighter than the sears jack which is nice. It also has a lower profile. So far I've been happy with it.

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Post by MiataSteve » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:31 pm

Mick wrote:I had the same problem.
viewtopic.php?t=1500
Thanks for the link...I did do a search!

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Post by brucesallen » Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:21 pm

I just got this Torin Aluminum Race Jack for $85 from Norhtern tool on their weekly special. It is back to $95. Well made. Pretty. 17 lb.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... allpartial
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Post by paultg » Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:27 pm

Well, the jack that you had break I had stolen from my carport (even though it was locked up and the handle is in my basement).

I needed something quick, so I bought this jack from Sears (950242) as a replacement:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 000P?mv=rr

It was the lightest jack they had in stock, and it was mis-priced which they gave me. I didn't really want the "LED's" but after using them it is sort of nice with a lowered Miata.

It worked well this weekend for me while swapping tires around and doing brakes; it is much smaller than my previous jack and much lighter. Weighs less than 27 lbs. I don't think it goes as high as other jacks though, so check the lift height if it is a concern.

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Post by MiataSteve » Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:09 am

brucesallen wrote:I just got this Torin Aluminum Race Jack for $85 from Norhtern tool on their weekly special. It is back to $95. Well made. Pretty. 17 lb.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... allpartial
Thats the one that leaked on the Maxima.....about the 4th time I used it!

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Post by zip4zat » Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:23 am

Ive resorted to the fact that they all will crap out in short order. So Ive gone to just buying the cheapest thing that will get me by, and get another one when that dies.

Its still cheaper than buying the big blue bling jacks, even though thats what id probably do if I had space for it and I didnt need to buy brake pads every other event.
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Post by ctkag » Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:15 am

My $99 Sears floor jack has worked reliably for 20 years now. Of course, it weighs as much as a Miata, which is why it stays home in the garage. My Sears aluminum jack has worked mostly trouble free for about 5 years, though it shows signs of leaking down on occasion.
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Post by StephanAlfa » Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:20 am

zip4zat wrote:Ive resorted to the fact that they all will crap out in short order. So Ive gone to just buying the cheapest thing that will get me by, and get another one when that dies.

Its still cheaper than buying the big blue bling jacks, even though thats what id probably do if I had space for it and I didnt need to buy brake pads every other event.
I agree with Joe.
Seems we had that discussion in the forum before and the issue was about cost effective racing jacks vs. weight or the car.
If you have a Miata, then the Harbor Freight "special" aluminum will do the trick. I have had one for over 3 years now and still going strong...
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Post by enjoythemusic » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:36 am

Yeah, had the $$$ jacks, the Sears alum... it's all.. whatever.

Now i find great results with the older version of http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Equipment

Which is their Craftsman 2-1/2 Ton Floor Jack, Low Profile
Sears item# 00950165000 Mfr. model# 50165 ON SALE now for $50.

Actually i have an older model of this, used it on the Italian red car and beat the snot outta it and she keeps going. The one i have included a black plastic hard case for storage and was $40. No frills, no side handles, and was at th store (not online catalog). So check a Sears for their dirt cheap black case no frills very short handle jack for about $35.

Catch me at the July COMSCC event on the second day if you wanna look-see. Plus no one wants to steal it, it look like rubbish... yet works and works and works.

ADDED: i have two of them, one in the trailer and one here. this trolly jack was made in 2002 and in Sears Model#: 875.505230
Seems to weight around 20 lbs or thereabouts. Ok, not a 'race jack' all fancy and needs about 10+ pumps to get to full height, so if you plan to use it for a fast pit at a F1 race this thing IS NOT for you. If you need a beater that works, this things rocks!
Enjoy the Track,

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ctkag
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Post by ctkag » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 am

Hmm, I have one of those as well - I stopped using it because it tended to twist and only be on three wheels which didn't lead to a lot of confidence in its continued use. I doubt your Ferrari was any lighter than a Subie so my experience may just be my particular jack.
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Post by jrottn » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:40 am

Old and heavy
We also run a 2.5 ton jack although this monster must tip the scales at 50+
You could throw 2 Subarus on this thing and it wouldnt twist
I think it is about 10-15 yrs old and has never let us down
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Post by StephanAlfa » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:33 pm

jrottn wrote:Old and heavy
We also run a 2.5 ton jack although this monster must tip the scales at 50+
You could throw 2 Subarus on this thing and it wouldnt twist
I think it is about 10-15 yrs old and has never let us down
Also it must go pretty high given it needed to lift the Beamer eh? :wink:
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Post by jrussell » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:57 pm

It might be the series of jacks too. I bought mine at Costco. It was the first aluminum jack they had with the full width roller in the front.... I've used it quite a bit for the last 4 or so years and even lift my old F250 and now my F350 with it without problems. I guess that would classify it as not a "miata only" jack. :lol: I would guess the front end of a F350 diesel is about the same as 2 Miatas. I did have a bit of trouble jacking the entire front end of the truck at once though. The jack was sinking into the driveway. :shock: The garage isn't big enough for the truck, so I just put down some 1/4" Aluminum plate and jacked one side of the front at a time. At the full weight rating I think I would want the 10 or 20 pump jack rather than the 3 pump jack though. For ease on the operator.
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Post by DanDarcy » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:28 pm

I have the same jack from Costco :) Works great even on my fifth wheel trailer and my car trailer, I've had it 4 years without a problem.
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