Looking at a 2.5 ton floor jack at WM with 5-14 inch range. You can get them going all the way up to 21 inches but they cost a lot more. Is 14 inches enough for most DIY on a 940? What's your recommendation?

TIA, Calvin (92 940 200K)

I have not been very lucky with floor jacks from Sears Craftsman I have tried 4 different models. They all ended leaking oil after two or three months. Now I have a 3.5 ton Michelin jack from Sam's Club $60.00. I know this things are all made in China probably by the same manufacturer, but this one has a different pump system and so far has not busted any seals. I also tried a cool 2 ton aluminum jack, double pump, from Sam's, but I could not move the jack across under the car to the other side to lift it because the pump lever had to be brought all the way up, then down to be able to pump. The aluminum jack lifted the car up in about three pumps...nice. OK if I had the space in my garage to go to the other side of the car. Try the 3.5 ton Michelin from Sam's I think you will like it.

I'd get the higher lift.

One of the safest ways to hold a car up is to set its wheels upon a couple of solid objects, like wooden blocks or extra steel wheels. You need lots of height to do this, but you will be safe.

If you get a jack at Sears, make sure it works correctly. The first one I got was with jackstands, but all the parts were cast, and it could not be lowered slowly.

I returned it and got a jack made out of pressed steel that works much better. I have several jack stands already.

BTW - If I cannot put the wheels on blocks, I use two regular jack stands, and then add 2 or more screw jackstands like they use on trailers - these can be adjusted to fit anywhere (although they are not of high capacity) If I take a wheel off, I always lay it under the car somewhere as a last resort.

Having to help a guy that has dropped his car on himself stinks! They usually live until you lift the car off them, then they bleed out right in front of you! Many times, even paramedics can't even save them.
--
'96 855R, '95 855, 854, '90 744 TI, 366,000 miles put on 7 bricks

Gee, thanks to everybody for the input. I was away from the computer for a few days and appreciate seeing all the responses.

Dear Carmist,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Sears (in some New England stores) has their 3 1/2 ton jack, with 2 stands, on sale for $99.95. If you're a "Craftsman Club" Member, that will get you a further 10% discount. I believe this jack's working range is 5"-20".

Here's to a Good, Healthy New Year.

Yours faithfully,

spook

http://www.norcoindustries.com/

Norco is Chinese, I think, but I was told by a guy in the industry that they use high quality Japanese seals and that you can actually get parts for them. It is virtually impossible to get parts for most of the "disposajacks". The Norco quality seems good.

I bought one of the 2 1/4 ton jobs , it was around $150. They distribute through industrial supply and car/truck parts channels.

I am still using a Hein Werner "WS" 1 1/2ton jack I bought about 1964, I have put seals in it a time or two but it keeps on jacking.

Jacks and stands are poor places to cut corners.

Dear Calvin,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. I, too, use a Craftsman 3.5 ton jack, w/matching jackstands. I leave the jack in place and will also position a 12-ton bottle jack, as a back-up, or if I need to lift the tranny or engine.

I will shortly take four bent steel wheels, and bolt pairs together, to make a set of back-up supports. If a "long-odds" event occurs - simultaneous failure of jack and jack stand(s) - the back-up supports will give me enough room to get out from under.

Have a Good, Healthy New Year!

Yours faithfully,

spook

Get the 3.5 ton jack and two 6 ton stands from Sears, on sale, if you can wait. Longer arms will get the car high enough to get the 6 tonners under the side jacking points.

The Sears name is on it, they are local and they still have semi deep pockets if it breaks and you are hurt or the car is damaged. Always keep the jack backed up by stands or the stands back up by the jack.

As far as the manufacturing origin, I don’t think you’ll find anything on the retail shelves not make in red China.

--
Tom F. Couple of Volvos Mods, RainX & cup holders.

I got mine from Harbor Freight and it is really nice. They have an aluminum one that is better. I will be using mine tonight. Paul
--
'96 965, longtime 240 owner and 200K mile member

Others will hopefully chime in, but I'm now wishing I'd spent more for a jack with a higher max lift. Not sure what mine does, but it was a People's Republic cheapie, and is really only good for lifting the axle, the control arms, etc, enough to take the load off shock bolts, bushings, etc, that I'm trying to remove. Trying to get it to lift the car enough to get jackstands under is a tense exercise.

Sears' stuff is usually pretty decent and they do have the good guarantee on Craftsman-branded gear.
--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F, dtr's 83-244DL B23F, 'my' 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, hobbycar 77 MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

Only thing is that the Craftsman floor jacks are those same Chinese made ones, only with a different paint job. Ditto with the Lincoln's these days. Such said, they do work, and getting a Craftsman has the advantage of Sears backing it for service.

The 2.5-ton mentioned in the original post sounds like the little dinky ones that sell for like $20 or so. These small jacks get unstable as they're lifted higher, because of its width.

----- THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO SKIMP ON SAFETY !!!!! -----

Spend more money for one that are heavier built - I say at least 70 lbs., give or take. It doesn't matter that some are still only rated for 2-tons or so - it's not like you will be lifting more than half the car, not to mention the entire vehicle doesn't even weighs that much. Besides height, a larger lifting cup to distribute the force is good to have.

Sears, Harbor Freight, Kragen (Schucks/Checkers), Autozone, etc. carries a bigger variety than Walmart, but are just as reasonable, if not better at times too, in price.

Likewise, buy heavier built jackstands. The typical 2-ton units at the aforementioned places are usually OK, but better to start with a pair of 3-ton units.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II -'91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles -'74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup -'86 245GL/AW70
The Wayback Machine -'64 P220/M40 ... The ParaBox -'90 745GL/AW70

We are thinking along the same lines.

A friend ordered a pair of 6 ton (each) stands from Harbor Freight as a gift. Funny thing is that they had the same oomph as the Sears 3 ton. I got rid of them all and got four of the Sears six ton each stands.
--
Tom F. Couple of Volvos Mods, RainX & cup holders.

I have a 3.5 ton Michelin jack, VERY solid and well made. If I remember correctly it came from Sam's Club and wasn't made in china.