floor jack recommendations?

[Dakota]

I'll skip the long story about why, but I may end up leaving my floor jack with one of my sons in Texas, which would put me in the market for a new one.   The "old" one is a 3 ton capacity Craftsman that I've had for over 25 years.    There have been no issues with it other than sometimes it was a little too tall to get under modern cars without help (like driving the car onto some wood to raise the frame up enough that the jack could be used).  If you purchased a new floor jack recently, I'd appreciate hearing about which one and any pros/cons involved with what you bought.

I'm looking through Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist hoping to score a good used one, but no success so far.

The vehicles I usually deal with are a Ram 1500, a Mini Cooper Countryman and a '70 Challenger.   Ballpark budget is $200.

[soundcontrol]

I got one of these, not exactly the brand, but very similar, cheap Chinese crap, broke once, got a new one under warranty, bad again now.
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-64542.html

Now I'm looking for a better one, think I gotta spend at least 3-400 for a good one.

[Brads70]

I have this one sort of, same jack different colors, just rebranded under a different name. ( powerfist-Princess auto-Canada)
I've had it quite awhile now with no issues. I'm sure it's offshore but seems ok for me .

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/80077/10002/-1

[7212Mopar]

I also have the HF aluminum Jack, cheap, lightweight. Very easy to move around but limited Jack height. The narrow base limits my confidence to Jack it up high. I also have a steel Jack I picked up from Costco 20 years ago. Heavy to move around but much higher weight capacity, Jack up higher and a lot more sturdy. You need that if you have SUV or truck. The most important is it will not bleed off pressure. I had a Craftsman floor Jack that does that, not safe.

[EV2RTSE]

The vehicles I usually deal with are a Ram 1500, a Mini Cooper Countryman and a '70 Challenger.   Ballpark budget is $200.

Kind of in the same boat, in addition to the Challengers we have my wife's BMW Z4 and a Toyota Highlander. So figured I needed something low profile and strong with a longer reach at the same time. This one may be overkill as it is kind of unwieldy in tighter spaces and takes more effort to move around, but I figured if it's rated for 3.5 tons it will easily handle lesser weights without being pushed too hard.


https://floorjackscenter.com/product/big-red-t83505-torin-pro-series-hydraulic-low-profile-floor-jack-with-dual-piston-quick-lift-pump-3-5-ton-7000-lb-capacity/

[headejm]

I have this HF one that is their top of the line. I have had good luck with it for 2-3 years.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I also had a craftman out in the shop that lasted FOREVER .... well almost. I replaced it with a HF jack. Figured when it died I 'd just get another. But its been out there at least 5 years by now without issue. And if anything my shop is the place where tools go to die! 
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/floor-jacks/3-ton-low-profile-professional-rapid-pump-floor-jack-orange-64240.html

[JS29]

I got one from harbor fright to carry on the tow truck, I liked it so much that I kept it in the shop.   

[soundcontrol]

Think I'm gonna get this one, probably not availble in the US though, Swedish company (good quality tools).

https://www.blocket.se/annons/kalmar/kampanj_bahco_domkraft_1_5_ton/100209965

On sale here now, around $380, normal price is $520.

Only 1,5 ton though, they have 3T models and they are a bit cheaper, but this one is very low, long and lifts high.

[72 Challenger]

I was once in a chump car style race and we realized we didn't have a jack so I bought a Princess Auto (Canadian harbor freight) aluminum 2.5 ton jack because it was cheap and nearby. Only needed to use it for two days right? It's been 15 years and this cheap item has been excellent. I used it this past weekend to swap my winter tires.

You get what you pay for is generally true but this thing has surprised me. Every so often you get an item that exceeds your expectations despite its price. It's outlived all of my projects, even jacked the corner of a cottage up.

[Strawdawg]

I splurged for the HF super duty pictured above.  It's really easy to let down very slowly and gently. Easy to move around but it's no lightweight. Easy to pump up as well

[Bossgold]

Last updated on August 26th, 2019 at 05:19 pm

Snap-on Inc. and Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. have agreed to dismiss a lawsuit over the floor jacks sold by Harbor Freight. The terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed publicly.

Kenosha-based Snap-on sued Harbor Freight last year, accusing the California-based company of selling floor jacks that "are substantially identical in shape and appearance" to ones sold by Snap-on. The lawsuit alleged the sale of the jacks amounted to patent and trade dress infringement and unfair competition.

Snap-on sells its 2-ton and 3-ton floor jacks for $550 to $650 while Harbor Freight offers its similar models for $199 or less.   

https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/

[Filthy Filbert]

Last updated on August 26th, 2019 at 05:19 pm

Snap-on Inc. and Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. have agreed to dismiss a lawsuit over the floor jacks sold by Harbor Freight. The terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed publicly.

Kenosha-based Snap-on sued Harbor Freight last year, accusing the California-based company of selling floor jacks that "are substantially identical in shape and appearance" to ones sold by Snap-on. The lawsuit alleged the sale of the jacks amounted to patent and trade dress infringement and unfair competition.

Snap-on sells its 2-ton and 3-ton floor jacks for $550 to $650 while Harbor Freight offers its similar models for $199 or less.   

https://biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/

I hope the snap on at least has higher quality hydraulics, even if harbor freight copied the appearance of the jack.   

That said, I also have a harbor freight jack.   it's gotta be 7 or 8 years old now and works fine.    But, it only gets used for oil changes or brake jobs at my house, so it's not like I'm lifting cars every day with it either.    Keep that in mind if it's going to be a high-use item

[MoparCarGuy]

Whatever you do, stay away from the Husky 3-Ton Floor Garage Jack Model# HD00107 sold at the big orange box store. The jack will not safely lower no matter how carefully you turn the handle to lower it. Suddenly drops with zero warning. UNSAFE!

[cudaragtop]

I got this one when it was 20% off.
Low Profile, Long Reach.
It has a foot pump for quickly getting it to making contact, then you have to switch to the handle to lift...


I wanted a second jack and decided to upgrade. I still have and use one of these that is over 10 years old.