Floor Jack Recommendation?

Correct, the pumpkin appears to be dangerous on some of the new units, they can't hold the vehicle's weight.

Mike

Yeah, the Chinese Craftsman jacks seem to be crap. I almost chalked my experience up to bad luck and bought another one because they were on sale a week ago, but then I read the reviews online. Seems just about everyone has the exact same problem. The seals blow out, sometimes within a few months...I guess I had pretty good luck with it lasting 4 years. Then again, I'm no professional. I only use it maybe 10 times a year. Are there still any "Made in the USA" or at least "Made Somewhere with Good Quality Control Standards" floor jacks?

I've always wondered if it's okay to lift it by the axle. I always lift from the jack points on the frame. Good to know I can use the axle. Though, not on the pumpkin, I guess.

Thanks, Tom

Wait, this seems to be saying no to jack up a Jeep on the axle. So the frame is the only safe lift point?

Thanks, Tom

That's what it says. I gotta be skeptical that the axle tubes can't handle it, but that's what it says. The danger is probably that people will put them too far inboard, and the cheap aluminum pumpkin will stress out. Or maybe, you know how clumsy some people are, that the axle tube would slip off the jack pad. I put a jack under the U-bolts or shock hangers on my Wrangler, but you don't have a Wrangler. Hell I put it under the pumpkin sometimes, but I have a steel pumpkin.

My Chinese Craftsman jack lasted at least thirteen years, and I picked up lots of things with it that I guess shouldn't have. It still works, but it leaks.

Cheers,

Earle

Ya but that is not what it 'shows' in the diagram 'and' it's thee aluminum WJ one they are referring to. The diagram shows the rear axle tubes or the spring mounts being used in the rear.

Does the person asking have a WJ? If not....

Mike

Good day, Back in 1985 my whole family pooled together and bought me a wretchedly expensive SnapOn Long chassis service jack(Floor jack).

Ry'

I've never heard anyone else decry the value of a Hi-lift jack. (You WERE referring to those common jacks many off-roaders have on their bumpers, right?...if not, "nevermind"!)

I got a flat tire this weekend (out by the Salton Sea), and for some reason thought it was a bad idea to put the stock Jeep floor jack under the axle. After maxing the jacks travel (while under the frame), it came up half an inch short of getting the spare tire on :(

Used my friends Hi-lift jack (placed in a notched area along the edge of the body) to get the Jeep lifted the last inch or so.

Other than some minor denting in the door (fender?) panel, it worked just fine.

...

His wife's got some kind of GC. These threads do get long sometimes.

Earle

Yes, it's an '04 Grand Cherokee, so yes, a WJ. From the picture, I guess it's okay to jack it up from the outer edge of the rear axle, but not the front. I suppose that makes sense, since the front is likely heavier...

Thanks, Tom

ooglegroups.com

I've got a 2 1/2 ton that I bought from Harbour Freight about 15 years ago. I've added oil one time. It's gotten left out in the rain, snowed on, and dropped off the tailgate of a truck. Still works just fine.

I'm with Mike on this one. My boss uses one under the front of his car trailer to lower the back end of the trailer when loading low clearance vehicles. The damn thing has about killed me twice. He's also convinced that there is no better tool for the job. Oh well, at least when I *do* get hurt it'll be on workman's comp.

I've watched Hi-Lift jacks bend double at well under their rated load. There is no way that a Hi-Lift (or similar) is a safe jacking tool, and they need to be treated with *extreme* caution if used.

I also carry a floor jack. I've had wheelers laugh at me ("Hey, get a Hi-Lift..."). That is until I manage to rescue one of them when either the highlift would not work properly, or broke...

However nothing can beat a Hi-Lift jack for stretching fence wire, or pulling fence posts...

1. I'm convinced there is no worse tool for the job.
2. If you survive intact... Generally lost body parts cannot be replaced!

Hey I need one of those to test my Jeep's flex!

I have both a 2 ton and a hi lift. I've only used the hi lift to lift my body of the frame when installing my body lift.

A vehicle that you can't ground on the pumpkin, presumably a scenario they never considered.

"Trail Rated" bwahaahaa. Its not like Jeep don't know how to do it - they built the Wagoneer after all !

Dave Milne, Scotland