Need a good floor jack and jack stands.

I need to pick up a floor jack and some stands. Doesn't have to be the best, just something reliable and safe. Sears usually has some cheap ones as does Walmart. Are those garbage and that's the reason the cheap? Anybody have some recomendations? Thanks

 

I have a nice aluminum floor jack that I bought at Costco that is solid. I haven't had any problems. I also have been using a set of jack stands that I got at Sears years ago and they are stout.

 

How much did the jack run you?

 

IIRC it was a little over $100.

 

I've had a Craftsman 3 ton floor jack with Craftsman jack stands for about ten yrs. and it still works great. I use mine to lift a F250 loaded with tools often.

 

I got this one about 6 months ago and have had no problems with it.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950139000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Lift+Equipment+%26+Jacks#reviewsWrap
I can't comment about the longevity but it lifts my truck really easily. As for jack stand I got mine from Harbor freight and they work really well also

 

I got the same one that JTech has but mine came with 3 ton jack stands and a creeper. The creeper is a little flimsy but it rolls on the floor with me on it pretty good. Works pretty good for me.

Jason

 

Craftsman for me. Best value IMO.

 

I also have craftsman jack stands.

 

I bought a jack and 2 stands as a kit from Autozone back in '02. It's worked well, no issues, no leaks... still using it to this day. I'm always cautious around working with jacks and stands and operate on the principle it will fail. It's when you get complacent you can get hurt....

 

I bought a 3 ton floor jack and set of 4 matching stands at Harbor Freight for about $100 (check their sale adverts). Been using them for more than 7 years now with no issues. I also bought a pair of steel ramps/ stands from Sears that can be driven up or placed under the wheels.

Cheap equipment or not the main thing is to work safely and never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands and a secondary, fail-safe backup that will keep the vehicle from falling if the other fails.

 

im afraid to use floor jacks now.... my friend died using one while changing his oil on his car.

 

Sorry to hear that man. That is a key point though, NEVER go under a vehicle supported by a floor jack. Use it under a stand or ramp. If you're using a ramp, chock the wheels in the back (whatever wheel is lower) to prevent rollback and use your e-brake/transmission in gear or park. Also, make sure your e-brake is in good working order first too.

 

yeah i use ramps or the jack at my work to check under my truck. I never trust floor jacks. Ill use them if i gotta change my tire that's it, ill never get under a vehicle that is supported by floor jacks for the rest of my life.

 

Even then... use a stand. If that jack slips... Most are on wheels too, so they can roll pretty easy, especially if you accidentally kick it out. With no tire that truck will come straight to you. If you're lucky and it misses you, you may have one totaled taco with a possible bent frame from the high clearance drop.

That said on the side of the road you may not have the option, all the more reason to be more cautious though.

 

Yeah i totally agree with you on that. I just don't feel safe around them, i only use them if my tire blows out on the side of the road or something else while iam driving. I just use a vehicle lift at my work that i use to change peoples tires and oil etc, to do stuff with my truck.

 

Modern Craftsman jacks are absolute crap, they don't last, and it seems most people notice them leaking fluid within the first year of use.

 

I couldn't disagree more. Mine is 7 years old and not one problem with it. MOST people never have a problem with them at all.