Floor Jacks & Capacities.....

[gonzo50]

I've been using a 2-1/4 Ton floor jack for my maintenance on the Marauder for some time now, but sometimes I feel uncomfortable with it because of the weight of the car.

According to the data on the front door/driver side label.......Front GAWR = 2555 lbs. Rear GAWR = 2685 lbs. this jack I'm using should be adequate enough because 2-1/4 ton equates to 4500 lbs. and I can only jack up one side at a time.

My question is: should I use a 2.5 ton jack, 3 ton jack, or stay with what I have now ? Also what brand is good, ie: Torin, Craftsman, Pro-Lift, MVP, OTC....etc. THANKS

[GordonB]

gonzo50,
I suggest you stay right where you are with that jack. I assume that you are using jack stands as well for a safety factor.
I use a 2-speed Sears scissors jack and a US-made floor hydraulic jack from a reputable company out of St. Louis (Lincoln Automotive, Model CJ4000 for Costco, same as model W93640) -- both are rated 2 tons. I also have 4 jack stands.

GordonB

P.S. Edited to show Lincoln jack model info

[DEFYANT]

If the wheels stay on, I use ramps.

[martyo]

A jack should be rated for at least 3/4 of gross vehicle.

So says Sears.

[FordNut]

If the wheels stay on, I use ramps.
I used to do it that way, but they skinned up my front valence (sp?) panel.

[gonzo50]

A jack should be rated for at least 3/4 of gross vehicle.

So says Sears.
If I do my math right, according to my Front GAWR = 2555 lbs. & Rear GAWR = 2685 lbs. that equates to 5240 lbs. Gross, 3/4 of that is 3930 lbs. so a 2 Ton jack should be suffice, right ? :rolleyes:

[Krytin]

If I do my math right, according to my Front GAWR = 2555 lbs. & Rear GAWR = 2685 lbs. that equates to 5240 lbs. Gross, 3/4 of that is 3930 lbs. so a 2 Ton jack should be suffice, right ? :rolleyes:
Yes!
Just try and stay away from most of the stuff made in China - I had a transmission jack let go w/six speed Spicer on it! Yeah, it was made in China!

[gonzo50]

gonzo50,
I suggest you stay right where you are with that jack. I assume that you are using jack stands as well for a safety factor.
I use a 2-speed Sears scissors jack and a US-made floor hydraulic jack from a reputable company out of St. Louis (Lincoln Automotive, Model CJ4000 for Costco, same as model W93640) -- both are rated 2 tons. I also have 4 jack stands.

GordonB
Thanks GordonB, I'm keeping what I have, and yes I do use jack stands, 4 of them. I'm keeping with made in the U.S.A. :)

Yes!
Just try and stay away from most of the stuff made in China - I had a transmission jack let go w/six speed Spicer on it! Yeah, it was made in China!
Thanks Krytin, will definitely stick with, "Made in the U.S.A". :)

[BillyGman]

I also like the Lincon floor jacks. But I agree that what you have is adequate, and that jackstands should always be used. Personally, I try to stay away from scissors jacks. I had the main bolt on one of them snap right in half a long time ago. I was about to work on the brakes of a 67 Mustang and I hadn't yet put a jackstand underneath the car, and the car just fell immediately to the ground on top of the crummy jack. It also missed my foot by inches. Not a good experience, but it was one that could've been a whole lot worse!!!!!

[martyo]

Not a good experience, but it was one that could've been a whole lot worse!!!!!

No joke! The car could have been severely dmaged!!

[ncmm]

Anyone have any pics of jacking the car up? Places to put it, etc. Thanks!

[martyo]

This jack is on sale at Sears for $152.99, starting tomorrow. It's nice and it is relatively light (45 llb.) given its lifting capacity.

Link to Jack (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=00950239000&bidsite=&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes)

http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/50239/00950239000-dlv.jpg

[BillyGman]

No joke! The car could have been severely dmaged!!
yeah, and then I would've had to get some crooked Attorney friend of mine to file a suit against the scissors jack company. :D

[BillyGman]

This jack is on sale at Sears for $152.99, starting tomorrow. It's nice and it is relatively light (45 llb.) given its lifting capacity.

Link to Jack (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=00950239000&bidsite=&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes)

http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/50239/00950239000-dlv.jpgHey, that's the best looking Sears jack that I've ever seen. BTW, does it have the capacity to lift Todd's Marauder w/him sitting in it?

[martyo]

yeah, and then I would've had to get some crooked Attorney friend of mine to file a suit against the scissors jack company. :D

I am sorry you have friends like that!! :rolleyes:

[TAF]

Hey, that's the best looking Sears jack that I've ever seen. BTW, does it have the capacity to lift Todd's Marauder w/him sitting in it?
Nope...too much Todd...and too much Dynamat....

[BillyGman]

Nope...too much Todd...and too much Dynamat.... After the Thanksgiving feast as well as the leftovers, I can relate to that. BTW, I heard that you insisted on Marty wearing a dynamat suit after the both of you exit the Wafflehouse.

[TAF]

After the Thanksgiving feast as well as the leftovers, I can relate to that. BTW, I heard that you insisted on Marty wearing a dynamat suit after the both of you exit the Wafflehouse.
No...but, I DO make him wear this nifty Haz-Mat Suit to keep his...uh..."odor" to himself. :lol:

http://www.wolfhazmat.de/interspiro/Trellchem_SUPER.jpg

[BillyGman]

LOL!!!!!! :rofl:

[jaywish]

I've been using a 2-1/4 Ton floor jack for my maintenance on the Marauder for some time now, but sometimes I feel uncomfortable with it because of the weight of the car.

According to the data on the front door/driver side label.......Front GAWR = 2555 lbs. Rear GAWR = 2685 lbs. this jack I'm using should be adequate enough because 2-1/4 ton equates to 4500 lbs. and I can only jack up one side at a time.

My question is: should I use a 2.5 ton jack, 3 ton jack, or stay with what I have now ? Also what brand is good, ie: Torin, Craftsman, Pro-Lift, MVP, OTC....etc. THANKS


Hi,

The capacity of 2.25 tons is generally sufficent for verticle lift. Here is the big but..... Alot of your safety depends on the lateral strength of the jack.

25+ years ago I often used a one of those 2ton small hydralic floor jacks which are small enought to keep in the trunk in case of flats. I did a good number of jobs with the jack and had no problems. It had sufficient lift capacity.

One day I had lifted my dad's Caprice up by the rear end and got interupted before I got to put the jack stands under. I got into a conversation and leaned lightly on the quarter panel. The jack took about two seconds to bend like a pretzel. It couldn't take the lateral stress when under verticle load.

I don't know what your 2.25 ton jack looks like but a nice heavy jack has it's advantages. Though as my 25 yr old jack is getting a little balky, I am considering one of those aluminum jacks like the Craftsman Marty pointed out.


Take Care,
Jay

[David Morton]

Hey, that's the best looking Sears jack that I've ever seen. BTW, does it have the capacity to lift Todd's Marauder w/him sitting in it?The link to jack took me to the site and it says 4000 lbs. 3/4 of which is 3000 lbs. If Todd is siting on the front (GAVW 2555), well, you won't find me getting under it!

:D

[GordonB]

To all,
Check that Sears Alum. JacK and I'll bet dollars to anyone's donuts that the jack is made in China. What is the LATERAL strength of Alum vs. Steel/iron??
Within 6 mos. of my Lincoln floor jack purchase 4 yrs ago, Lincoln had ceased manufacturing the jack I have in the States. I don't know about ALL of their jacks, but I do know that some, if not all, are now made in China. BUMMER!!!!!
It used to be that you could get a 4" clearance STEEL/IRON floor jack from NAPA that was made in the States. The big thing now is the Race-style roller nose aluminum jacks. I question the strength of them over the long-haul -- I tend to buy stuff to use for 20 years (or more).

GordonB

[martyo]

The big thing now is the Race-style roller nose aluminum jacks. I question the strength of them over the long-haul.

Problem is Gordon, the steel jacks aren't terribly convenient for taking to the track.

[jaywish]

Almost all of the Craftsman Brand jacks are made in China including the aluminum one. I did check that out.

Sears is selling out on the "Marquette" that is the Lincoln 2 ton which is made in USA. $20 off I think they sell for $269 shiped. Incidentally Lincoln is apparently changeing them and they will cost more in the future. Lincoln is a very nice pro jack with a 5 year warranty

OTC makes jacks in the USA with a lifetime warranty. They also sell some low end china made jacks. I haven't seen/used the OTC's but I have heard they are nice.

Marty is right about the weight. A good steel jack will be at least 90+ lbs. Not that portable.

Jay