Jack Stands

"PowderHound" (PowderHound) 02/18/2014 at 20:18 • Filed to: None

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I need them. Any one have suggestions? They seem to have a wide range in prices and all have the same design. I assume cheaper ones have shittier welds? What's the safe weight rating to get for a regular car? I imagine I have no need for 6 ton. I also prefer to go to the store and get them, there is a harbor freight nearby? Thanks and have some eye candy.

crowmolly > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:20

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Get 2 1/2 ton stands for a car. Larger ones might be a bit safer but their footprint is huge.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:20

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Just get some 2ton stands, mine were from Autozone and held my car up for around a week or so, you really can't go wrong unless they're made from plastic or paper or something...

puddler > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:22

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2-1/2 ton should last forever. i've always used wood as a 'cushion', but recently made some rubber pads that are the bees knees.

Straightsix9904 > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:23

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There really isn't much difference, Just make sure they have enough clearance to jack up your car and you can slide a transmission out from underneath. The brand won't matter, the chance of them failing is VERY minute, even w/ the cheap ones. I wouldn't go with the cheap ones mainly because they don't get that high, that is how they save money.

Frosted > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:23

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How much does your car weigh vs how much weight is the jack stand rated for. I use a 6 ton jack stand on my 3700 pound wagon because my other jack that was rated for 4000 pounds collapsed under an 04 Scion xB. Wouldn't recommend the harbor freight special.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:25

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I generally don't trust anything from HB further than I can throw it.

Have you got a Sears nearby? Sure they are probably made in the same Chinese/East Asian factory, but the Sears ones should have higher standards.

If you figure most passenger cars are about 3,000 pounds, and you should use 2 stands if you are putting one end of the car into the air, then getting ones rated for 2-tons would be plenty.

jkm7680 > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:25

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Defiantly go to Harbor Freight, except whenever I go there I come back with a bunch of crap that I didn't anticipate on buying

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:28

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just make sure each stand can support your car on it's own in case one fails, keep the jack supporting some of the weight too.

as others are saying 2.5 Tonnes is a safe bet for most cars. The ones I have are rated at 2500kg's each only because they were on sale and were cheaper than the same brand 1800kg ones.

PowderHound > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 02/18/2014 at 20:28

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There is probably a Sears. My car is roughly 3200lbs so it won't be hard to find something

PowderHound > Frosted 02/18/2014 at 20:28

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Well then 6 tons it may be

PowderHound > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 02/18/2014 at 20:28

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Pretty much what I thought.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > puddler 02/18/2014 at 20:29

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I twist my foot slightly when I use the clutch so I have the habit of tearing the rubber pedal off my clutch pedal. I use these, I have 3 of them from different cars now :P one for the scissor jack and the others for the two stands I have.

PowderHound > puddler 02/18/2014 at 20:29

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In between the car and the jacks? I guess it would depend where I jack from

Squid > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:36

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Honestly, I have a set of the 2 1/2 ton HF Aluminum "racing" stands and a set of old steel 2 1/2 ton stands, if you need four get all four of the same kind. The HF ones should be fine for most aplications, I haven't seen too much failure with them but I haven't bothered to go looking. Basically if you have a sporty car with a total weight under 4,000 pounds the 2 1/2 stands should never fail you because you won't be stressing them near their capacity. Craftsman are good because of the warranty, but I think they may have changed that now. Just get some stands that fit your budget and learn how to use them properly for YOUR car as each chassis needs support in different locations.

puddler > PowderHound 02/18/2014 at 20:45

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between the car and the stands. i've had the same steel 3 ton jack since forever, but i liked my buddies aluminum harbor freight jack. lighter and quicker...plus, it had a single wheel across the front so it slid around easier than mine with dual front wheels.

atfsgeoff > PowderHound 02/19/2014 at 00:26

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I have a set of four 3 ton stands from harbor freight that I've been using for years, they're very sturdy and have not resulted in my untimely death. Highly recommended.

Keep in mind that most jack stands (including HF's) are rated per pair, not individually. So a set of four 3-ton stands will support 1.5 tons each, or 6 tons evenly distributed between all four.