trolley jacks

[scooby-93]

what jacks do you have to work on your cars? im after a one thats low enough to get under the car past the front jacking point sill and onto the triangle shaped metal frame? cars currently on cooksports so fairly low, when my ast coilovers arrive ill be hoping to go lower than how it is now, and the jack i currently have is a cheap sh*t one and only is just low enough to get under the sill jacking points on the front.

so what do yous have? make and price and were you bought it from would also be helpfull

thanks

 

[Steven103]

Basically there are only 2 or 3 companies that manufacture jacks. Halfords, Draper, Clarke, Costco, B&Q, Bluepoint, SGS Engineering etc all buy from the same place and paint it a different colour and slap their own label on. Due to this, there really isn't as much choice at it would first seem.

Ignore variations of the small steel ones that you already have. Ignore large low entry steel ones (brilliant, but only suitable for workshops due to the size & weight).

Best of both words is the "lightweight aluminium racing jack" which come with lots of different stickers (Costco, SGS Engineering, Bluepoint, B&Q etc) and a few different specs from £70 - £120 ish:

* Single (slow, but it works) vs double piston (a nice luxury)
* Single roller at the front (s*** on poor surfaces like Castle Combe's paddock) vs fixed wheels

Buy the best you can afford. Double piston & wheels are both worth the extra money in the long run. Best I've ever used was a Bluepoint version with castor wheels which was fantastic for manoeuvring.

 

[scooby-93]

Basically there are only 2 or 3 companies that manufacture jacks. Halfords, Draper, Clarke etc all buy from the same place and slap their own label on, so there really isn't as much choice at it would first seem.

Ruling out small steel ones like yours and the brilliant but workshop-only large steel ones, you end up with the "lightweight aluminium racing jack" which come with different stickers (Costco, SGS Engineering, Bluepoint, B&Q etc) and a few different specs from £70 - £120 ish:

* Single (slow, but it works) vs double piston
* Single roller at the front (s*** on poor surfaces like Castle Combe's paddock) vs fixed wheels

Buy the best you can afford. Double piston & wheels are both worth the extra money in the long run. Best I've ever used was a Bluepoint version with castor wheels which was fantastic for manouvering.

Got information there thanks yeah I've been looking on the Costco website and have seen the racing jack, do they still extend high enough to use axle stands at a decent height for under vehicle access?

 

[Steven103]

Definitely. User manual says 460mm max height for the double-piston-double-wheel version. http://www.sgs-engineering.com/media/manuals/TJA2.5.pdf

The single piston/roller-wheel versions are very similar in terms of height.

 

[scooby-93]

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_8,cos_8.5,cos_8.5.10/139569

 

[Steven103]

That's the s*** roller wheel version I was on about lol.

You can buy direct from (what appears) to be the OEM and save a bunch of money. The best version (double piston & fixed wheels) is the same price as the worst Costco stickered one lol http://www.sgs-engineering.com/hydraulic-jacks/trolley-jacks/tja25-aluminium-trolley-jack

 

[scooby-93]

Yes mate sorry just seen your link that does seam very good for the money! 100mm saddle height wonder if that is low enough tho for my car? I carnt check as it's currently away at clioturbo, how low is your car?

 

[Steven103]

I have that jack with a different sticker on it. Car is on Cooksport springs. The jack does reach the triangular subframe supports on a flat tarmac drive.

Frankly if you're going to insist on being any lower then it's really not too much of a chore to roll the car onto a thin bit of wood or jack onto wood initially using the sill.

Alternatively do something to strengthen the sills. Someone on here undersealed some box section and put a big bolt through the box section & elongated factory jacking "hole."

 

[scooby-93]

I have that jack with a different sticker on it. Car is on Cooksport springs. The jack does reach the triangular subframe supports on a flat tarmac drive.

Frankly if you're going to insist on being any lower then it's really not too much of a chore to roll the car onto a thin bit of wood or jack onto wood initially using the sill.

Alternatively do something to strengthen the sills. Someone on here undersealed some box section and put a big bolt through the box section & elongated factory jacking "hole."

Yeah I'll Probley go for the one in the link you've posted, how much is there to play with between the jack saddle and the triangle piece?

 

[M.C..]

I have cooksports and my jack will not quite get to the chassis rail or triangle but jacking off the sill is not really a problem with a large saddle as it is spreading the load, it only starts to bend when used with the small 2inch saddles.
I use a bit of wood to drive on if I need to jack off the sill for some reason.
I think the only type of jack that will get under the car is these types but they are expensive http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bahco-BH13000-Extra-Compact-Trolley-Jack-3T-/351049451461
This is what I have, it is good quality but quite heavy so if you want to take it with you it is probably no good http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005TFSJCC/?tag=cliospnet01-21

 

[scooby-93]

I have cooksports and my jack will not quite get to the chassis rail or triangle but jacking off the sill is not really a problem with a large saddle as it is spreading the load, it only starts to bend when used with the small 2inch saddles.
I use a bit of wood to drive on if I need to jack off the sill for some reason.
I think the only type of jack that will get under the car is these types but they are expensive http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bahco-BH13000-Extra-Compact-Trolley-Jack-3T-/351049451461
This is what I have, it is good quality but quite heavy so if you want to take it with you it is probably no good http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005TFSJCC/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Why won't it reach the chassis rail or the triangle bracket? Because the saddle is to high or because the jack its self is not long enough to reach?

 

[M.C..]

Its the angle of the sides of the jack, it will go so far but not quite far enough
heres a couple of pictures as you can see it needs to go about 5 inches further in.

 

[scooby-93]

Its the angle of the sides of the jack, it will go so far but not quite far enough
heres a couple of pictures as you can see it needs to go about 5 inches further in.

Thanks for the pictures, Looks like it would however reach the D shaped frame?

 

[GrahamS]

I have an SGS "low profile" jack which is this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Ton-Low...816?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a2cbe5618

but you can't get it to the subframe bolt without parking the car on planks as the back end is too high and scrapes on the skirt. The car has eibach sportlines on but isn't particularly low. However at the price it's jolly good value and I don't see it worth me spending a huge amount more for the slight increase in convenience.

 

[M.C..]

Thanks for the pictures, Looks like it would however reach the D shaped frame?

Which part are you talking about?

 

[CJM]

I've got myself a low entry bluepoint one, they were on offer recently for £150 all in from your local snapon dealer so they may have some stock left at the offer price. I would recommend them completely. Not the lightest jack going but good solid and likely to last. Can't find the exact model though.

Recently picked up a draper 1.25 tonne aluminium one from costco for £36, which is awesome for the money but not really up to heavy duty work. All the 1.25 alloy ones are the same. Can pick one up for around the £80-90 mark.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=201129623527

Sealey also do a 2.5 ton low entry jack for around the £100 mark, against good quality, but are very heavy for what they are.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=171574044794

 

[Gus]

My god I really didnt know you could spent thousands on trolley jacks, click here to see what i mean . I really need a half decent one, only needed to lift the clio up now and again so will probably get a halfords one or something.

 

[scooby-93]

Which part are you talking about?

On your 3rd picture to the right of the jack saddle, the metal frame, will your jack reach that? If so that's what I'm after as that's where I jack the car from

 

[scooby-93]

I've seen this but quiet a brute weighing in at 36kg

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=161564952287

 

[M.C..]

On your 3rd picture to the right of the jack saddle, the metal frame, will your jack reach that? If so that's what I'm after as that's where I jack the car from

No that's as far as the jack will go

 

[Keith185]

Thought I'd resurrect this tread rather than start a new. Need the same as @scooby-93 , any luck finding one?

Need a lightweight (already have a steel low jack) aluminium jack that can get under my clio onto the chassis rails for jobs I wont be doing at home on ffarm and for trackdays.

Would anyone able to give me a height dimension of the highest part of the jack body at the back of different brands (Arcan, SGS, none seem to quote this dimension. Thank you.

 

[Keith185]

Just found SGS quoting their 1.25 T one as 125mm

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/tja125-aluminium-trolley-jack

 

[imprezaworks]

Think the general go to jack is the Costco one?

 

[mikekean]

These are the same as the Costco ones, I have found the little 1.25T jacks that are around everywhere just fall apart or the seals blow on the ram. I have the Sealey 1.8T listed below, my father in law has the same jack. Had it around 3 years with lots of use and still going strong, will buy another at some point to replace the big heavy 3T i use as a secondary jack.

https://www.bodyshop-tools-supplies.co.uk/product_view.php?id=20768
http://www.motamec.com/motamec-allo...-entry-rocket-lift-aluminium-racing-jack.html

 

[chris blue]

Halfords doing a standard trolley jack ATM for £20- now thats a good price.
Bought a set of sealey ramps for mine last weekend, with ramp extensions, and cant get up them cos I so low. LOL.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

These are the same as the Costco ones

https://www.bodyshop-tools-supplies.co.uk/product_view.php?id=20768
http://www.motamec.com/motamec-allo...-entry-rocket-lift-aluminium-racing-jack.html

At a mere double the price lol (nearly)

 

[bloke]

 

[Knuckles]

Think the general go to jack is the Costco one?

Yup.

Although it's just gone up in price it seems

http://m.costco.co.uk/view/p/arcan-2000kg-aluminiumsteel-service-jack-model-hj2000eu-900930

 

[Knuckles]

Halfords doing a standard trolley jack ATM for £20- now thats a good price.
Bought a set of sealey ramps for mine last weekend, with ramp extensions, and cant get up them cos I so low. LOL.

I bought my Costco one because the halfords one is tiresome to use and scary as f**k when it starts making noises.

The Costco one (or any substantial one) looks and feels solid as f**k. And is effortless to use.

 

[mikekean]

At a mere double the price lol (nearly)

Yeah i live in Jersey so unfortunately can't get one from Costco

 

[Jon46]

Just been looking for 2No axle stands and found these.

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-5-piece-lifting-kit

I know its not a top dollar setup, but for an occasional spanner monkey like myself, I don't think its too bad.

Anyone bought one?

 

[guysy]

I use this one, my car is lowered on sport lines and the jack reaches far enough under the sills to reach the inside jacking point. Every now and again the lifting handle catches the outside sill rim slightly but it goes under no problem.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Liftmaste...767446?hash=item211c8a9ed6:g:an0AAOSwj0NUdizQ