Trick for ordering Aluminum Jacks from HF

jhaynie · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 01:51 PM

I called trying to get them to come off of their price of $299 for the two ton aluminum jack the other day. If you have any experience with Harbor Freight

then you know that they can have six different prices for one item in the same catalog. Its really screwed up.

Anyway, after bugging the girl on the phone, she told me to click on the "order from catalog" link. A screen pops up and you enter the quantity and the item number, this is important "2672-1ZZZ". The price comes up as $279.99. Not a big savings but twenty bucks is twenty bucks and the shipping is free.

chopper · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 02:12 PM

FWIW, an alternative:

http://www.clubcobra.com/t13127.html

I like this jack because the saddle is only 3.1 inches off the floor, so it fits under both the Cobra and the wife's Miata with no problem. A little pricey (I paid $350) and rated at 2800 lb rather than 4000, but it has a 28 inch lift capacity. Not aluminum and so heavier (I think about 90 lb.) but is a pretty well-built unit. I've looked at the Harbor Freight units too, they're nice and lightweight. This is just another possibility to consider.

Jeff Frigo · #3 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 03:28 PM

They are made in China. Be careful and use jack stands, one of the CC member had one break on them.

Bud Man · #4 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 03:45 PM

The 1 1/2 ton models are featured on their web site at $179.99.

My buddy bought one from the retail store in Fort Worth, paid $199.00. Looks beautiful. Done know how long it will be around, but it appears finely made.

www.harborfreight.com

Bud

jhaynie · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 08:10 PM

What started it all was a trip to the Kennesaw GA store. They had the two ton jack for $249.99, of course none in stock. The idiot clerk with the tounge ring couldn't tell me when they would get more. Apparently the catalog ordering place will not honor store pricing. $249.99 was even a better price, but with tax not much less than I ended up paying. Try back at the store in a week or so if your interested. I looked it over pretty close and it seems like good construction and materials.

Jeff Frigo · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 08:23 PM

Its not how the jack looks that makes it questionable, its the substandard material that they use. You will not see this with your eye.

Do a search on Eagle rods. The unmachined blank comes from China and there have been numerous failures, thousands of dollars worth of dammage.

Just don't get under one of these without using jack stands, your life is worth a hell of a lot more than $280.

SFfiredog · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopper

FWIW, an alternative:

http://www.clubcobra.com/t13127.html

I like this jack because the saddle is only 3.1 inches off the floor, so it fits under both the Cobra and the wife's Miata with no problem. A little pricey (I paid $350) and rated at 2800 lb rather than 4000, but it has a 28 inch lift capacity. Not aluminum and so heavier (I think about 90 lb.) but is a pretty well-built unit.

Chopper,
I got one of these jacks about a year ago and can truly say it was one of the best tool purchases I have ever made. It fits easily under the lowest cars and raises it very high. Jacking up a Corba was always a real pain. Now it is easy
I love it!
--Mike

chopper · #8 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:34 PM

SFfiredog:

You and I seem to be the only ones who care about these AC Hydraulics jacks. I guess we're just ahead of the pack.

KobraKarl · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 10:55 PM

Ive had one a couple of years . Before that I had to use a little one ton POS . whenever you pick up a good or favorite tool ,who remembers or thinks about the price?btw Idont get under any car without stands in place! can you imagine how a Cobra with 4'' of ground clearance would feel on your head!

Jamo · #10 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 04:08 AM

Grotts has a 1 ton arruminum--any good, anybody?

jhaynie · #11 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 08:03 AM

I would always use jackstands under a car if I'm crawling around under it. I don't care if the jack was $5000.00.

PatBuckley · #12 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 08:47 AM

BB -

It seems that there are a lot of places offering those aluminum jacks - they all look VERY similar and I was wondering if they are the same but just being marketed differently. I think that the one offered by HF does what it is supposed to do very well.

The report on the jack that broke - I think it was from another forum - stated that the metal portion of the "pad" broke off. I notice on my HF jack that the rubber pad actually is higher than the metal edges - perhaps an improvement?

jhaynie -

I agree - if you crawl under you car without jack stands in place you may become a "Darwin Award" recipient. Deservedly.

I purchased a Craftesman floor jack - 2 ton - and it is almost impossible to lower a car smoothly - turning the handle to lower the car is like operating an on-off switch - nothing -nothing-nothing - bang! It drops like a rock! That POS is in the shed out back.

Steve SPF 517 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 08:48 AM

The Griot's jack is great but a little pricey, they should throw in a case for that money.

snakeeyes · #14 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 09:03 AM

My sis-in-law is in sales for NAPA and was able to get me a deal on one of their "Professional Quality" jacks a year ago. Apparently one of the stores ordered two and they shipped two cases inadvertently. I think I paid her $200. Don't recall what the list is but it is a quality piece. It is a three-ton jack, with wheels that are about 3" wide and roll easily. It's not the lightest jack around but I don't have occasion to pick it up, anyhow (besides, there's something inherently reassuring about a heavy floor jack). The handle is a two-piece unit that is probably 4' long and is padded, which is nice. The saddle only sits about 3 1/2" off the ground, is probably 5 - 6" in diameter, and is padded rubber, as well. I've used jacks that were like a "light switch" when lowering them; this one has a really nice action that enables me to lower a car fractions of inches with good control. All in all, a nice piece of work that I've even gotten under the rear suspension of my GT40 with no problem. I still use jack stands, too, of course.

Like I said, I don't recall what the retail was on it, but I'd buy another one regardless of the price.

jhaynie · #15 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 09:08 AM

I think NAPA sells the brand Lincoln. My father in law has one thats probably 20 years old and is a really nice jack. He's just tired of me stealing (borrowing) it.

snakeeyes · #16 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 09:20 AM

Heck, if I can get ten years out of this one I'll be thrilled. My first two or three jacks were those crappy ones they sell at Autozone--the ones that come with jack stands and ramps and still sell for $29.99--and I've gotten tired of them breaking after about six months. I finally wised up a little on an area of personal safety (only took me 35 years

).

excelguru · #17 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snakeeyes

...those crappy ones they sell at Autozone...

That's the model I have now (it was a gift, so I can't complain too much). The doggone thing isn't worth a flip. It's the so-called MVP model (yea, right). I would like to get a nicer one, but $270 is a tad much for my tastes (I'm a cheap-ass). Sure would be nice to have a jack that works, though.

It got some air in it (somehow) and I need to bleed it. Is it pretty much the same procedure as bleeding brakes?

John - When were you in Kennesaw? I know that area quite well.

Keith

snakeeyes · #18 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 10:07 AM

Keith, I guess there is a bleeder valve on those jacks, isn't there? Mine always broke before they needed to be bled.

Seriously, at least those things are light. I keep one around and put it in the trunk with a couple of 2 x 4's when I go on longer drives, just in case. Guess that's where a nice aluminum jack would come in handy...hmmm....

jhaynie · #19 (**permalink**) 02-27-2003, 11:28 AM

Keith,

I went up for the "Shallow Water fishing expo" which turned into only about mountain stream fishing. Not my bag, only saltwater. Other than that my wife wanted to go to each Home Depot Expo looking for knobs for all of the cabinets in our new house. Pretty boring weekend, but did east in an awesome restaurant in Roswell called PASTI'S. Maybe some of the DSCC have heard of it.

The 1.5 ton jack (only silver one) is on sale now for $179.99. Maybe thats closer to you?

John

Bart Carter · #20 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopper

FWIW, an alternative:

http://www.clubcobra.com/t13127.html

I like this jack because the saddle is only 3.1 inches off the floor, so it fits under both the Cobra and the wife's Miata with no problem. A little pricey (I paid $350) and rated at 2800 lb rather than 4000, but it has a 28 inch lift capacity. Not aluminum and so heavier (I think about 90 lb.) but is a pretty well-built unit. I've looked at the Harbor Freight units too, they're nice and lightweight. This is just another possibility to consider.

I actually bought 2 of these. They are the best jack I have ever used. Should last forever.