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Anyone using Harbor Freight 1.5 Ton Racing Jack with no problems??

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by cverneau, Dec 12, 2011.

  1. Dec 12, 2011 at 6:28 AM
    #1
    cverneau

    cverneau [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yesterday I picked up a 1.5 ton aluminum racing jack from Harbor Freight for $59.

    This one:
    Anyone use this for general maintenance?? I'm only looking to use it for tire rotation, brake jobs and possibly new shock installation. I realize the height of this jack will require the use of blocks or for the jack to be on patio bricks to get the extra height as it only goes to 15".

    I'm not looking to lift the whole front or rear end at once, just each corner as necessary. So is this decent enough for ocassional usage??

    Also, what jack stands would be best for the truck for the height??
     
  2. Dec 12, 2011 at 7:52 AM
    #2
    Fiveology

    Fiveology Well-Known Member

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    I use that one to lift my Mustang, it's a decent jack. I would want a bit more capacity for my truck. They have an aluminum 3 ton version that would be better for your truck. I would get jackstands of at least 3 ton capacity, and remember jackstand are rated as pairs, so really each stand in a 3 ton capacity set is only good for 1.5 ton.
     
  3. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:15 AM
    #3
    cverneau

    cverneau [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'll pick up the new jack stands for that capacity (minimum 3 ton).
    I assume the Harbor Freight ones are good enough??

    As far as the jack - I should go with a larger capacity even though I'd only be lifting each corner at a time??
     
  4. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:50 AM
    #4
    Taco John

    Taco John Well-Known Member

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    You'll want a jack with extra lift and stay away from the blocks under a floor jack. The geometry changes on them as they raise so they need the ability to slide on their wheels or they will be holding up your truck at an angle. You can get away with blocking on other styles of jacks but not that kind.

    I picked up an SUV jack at Walmart with a lift extension. It is steel, heavy and ugly, but its gets the job done and didn't cost a lot.
     
  5. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:54 AM
    #5
    WV150

    WV150 Well-Known Member

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    Trifecta Tonneau Cover
    Should work ok but remember not to put the jack under the rear diff. and raise whole rear.Will damage rear housing.On corners only.
     
  6. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:56 AM
    #6
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    alot of metal, small engine, decent travel.
    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    why not lift by the rear diff? people do it all the time.... i have done it before too. that shit is so thick its pretty crazy. i dont think it will damage it. well at least on a first gen. second gets are all plastic parts :stirthepot:

    i would get a little bigger than 1.5 ton
     
  7. Dec 13, 2011 at 7:59 AM
    #7
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout Well-Known Member

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    I have one for my Evo it works great.
     
  8. Dec 13, 2011 at 8:00 AM
    #8
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    alot of metal, small engine, decent travel.
    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    but the evo is way lighter right?
     
  9. Dec 13, 2011 at 8:01 AM
    #9
    hookedontronics

    hookedontronics Well-Known Member

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    i have the aluminum 2 ton, about 100 bucks more but a great jack
     
  10. Dec 13, 2011 at 9:29 AM
    #10
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout Well-Known Member

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    True I used this jack with a aluminum craftsman jack to lift the front of my dodge diesel so it was fine for that as well just not enough to lift the entire front of the dodge. I assume it would lift the Tacoma just fine....
     
  11. Dec 13, 2011 at 9:32 AM
    #11
    johnw

    johnw Well-Known Member

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    well you asked for specs..... 06 trd sport speedway blue 5.3l v8 4.0 camburg lift spindles extended travel icons total chaos lowers allpro 4" leaf pack 17" xd hoss rims 37/12.5/17 mickey thompson baja atz Allpro hybrid bumper grill craft grill wicked flow muffler inside i have..... wet okole real tree camo seat cover blue oznium dome light stealth sub box with 2 10" kicker comp subs kicker 400 watt amp weathertech floor mats
    Just don't extend the jack all the way. I did that once and the jack went into bypass mode while under the truck and it started lowering on me lol. I got out of there quick
     
  12. Dec 13, 2011 at 12:59 PM
    #12
    Taco John

    Taco John Well-Known Member

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    Don't crawl under a truck supported by a jack alone. Use stands.
     
  13. Dec 13, 2011 at 1:38 PM
    #13
    johnw

    johnw Well-Known Member

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    well you asked for specs..... 06 trd sport speedway blue 5.3l v8 4.0 camburg lift spindles extended travel icons total chaos lowers allpro 4" leaf pack 17" xd hoss rims 37/12.5/17 mickey thompson baja atz Allpro hybrid bumper grill craft grill wicked flow muffler inside i have..... wet okole real tree camo seat cover blue oznium dome light stealth sub box with 2 10" kicker comp subs kicker 400 watt amp weathertech floor mats
    There was stands also but it wasn't on them I was moving them in place
     
  14. Dec 13, 2011 at 2:35 PM
    #14
    Trifenix

    Trifenix Well-Known Member

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    I use the HF 3k racing jack no problem. $60 can't go wrong. You only either lift the front, rear or each wheel so no issues. I use wooden blocks when needed offroad. I used it here when crappy tires + mud = fail.

    P1230158_bc16682536f1d44461ff8df0379bb22326006440.jpg
     
    zerotimeouts likes this.
  15. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:14 PM
    #15
    CorrosiveTendency

    CorrosiveTendency When up to your nose in shit, keep your mouth shut

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    Whaaaaat? Come on now.
     
  16. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:20 PM
    #16
    WV150

    WV150 Well-Known Member

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    I have done that on many trucks with no problems also but on one of the threads some has said the manual says not to as it can cause leaks where the tube goes into the pumpkin housing.A search may find it.
     
  17. Dec 13, 2011 at 5:25 PM
    #17
    blackhawke88

    blackhawke88 wo ai ni bao bei ^_^

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    here a couple in action, and they work. They also get me full droop in the front
    DSC_5373_cfa4521f8d85c8f0a4ad5f9b83beb59c1e80c3c3.jpg
     
  18. Dec 14, 2011 at 1:17 AM
    #18
    Trifenix

    Trifenix Well-Known Member

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    ^broken bj? or bolts?
     
  19. Dec 14, 2011 at 5:43 AM
    #19
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    bent both spindles because he hit the mini grand canyon

    x2
     
  20. Dec 14, 2011 at 7:12 AM
    #20
    asus611

    asus611 Well-Known Member

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    I have this one from Harbor Freight. It's friggin awesome. I have a lowered M3 in addition to a lifted tacoma, so it serves my needs perfectly. Low enough to fit under the M, and it has a really high lift capacity for the truck. It is a bit bigger (longer) that most jacks, and it is pretty heavy. But keep in mind this is garage equipment, not portable equipment.

    I've had good luck with Harbor Freight jacks, my previous orange one lasted me 9 years. I don't do that much wrenching on my truck, mostly semi-annual oil changes, tire rotations, or brake jobs. Most of the other maintenance items I can do without lifting the truck.

    My friends Torin collapsed on him, well not ON him, but while he was pumping, and that thing was only 1.5 years old. I think nowadays most jacks are made in China, like a previous poster said, not sure what that means. Best advice is to ALWAYS, ALWAYS use jack stands and keep an eye on fluid levels in the jack
     

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