Ok so I want to do some of my own work and need a Floor Jack and Jack Stands - what do I buy thats not a bunch of $$$$$'s. I went to Sears and the reviews on most were below standard, made in China, etc. leaked oil, etc. Anyone have experience with a good 'inexpensive' jack & stands???

Also to get the Jeep up on stands, is it OK to lift on the diff. or does that cause too much stress???

 

I have 4 AC/Delco 6 ton stands from Oreilly, a 3 ton jack from Craftsman, 3 ton jacks stands from craftsman, and a 3.5 ton Husky Jack from Home depot. I used all of this when doing my lift. I would rather not have 2.5 tons come down on my head so I went overkill.

 

Good luck finding a jack that's not made in China. Even Snap On, Craftsman... all of them now.

If you want to go crazy, this one was the nicest jack I found: hXXp://www.griotsgarage.com/product/in+your+garage/jacks+%26+stands/2-ton+floor+jack.do?search=basic&keyword=jack&sortby =newArrivals&page=1

I have a Big Red SUV jack and 6-ton jack stands. It's a good, if unbeautiful, combination.

 

I bought a 3-ton Craftsman a few years ago. It worked for the few times I used it, but the extension handle bent during the first use, the knobs on the pressure releaser wore off so I use vise grips now. It leaks oil, and doesn't go as high as I want, just gets to a point and starts slowly lowering itself. One of the wheels came off the other day. It was the cheapest Sears had, yellow and black SUV floor jack. I think I paid around $60. When I eventually upgrade and buy a new one, it'll be shop quality. I trust the stock JK jack over my floor jack right now.

 

I bought my jack stands from home depot and I've done 2 lifts and various other work with just a pair of stand and wheel chauks for the other wheels. the jack I used was the old boy I had sitting around so I assume that most new jacks - if taken care of - will be just as good as the old rusted one we have.

as for lifting by the dif, I wouldnt do it. I have lifted the axel by the pumpkin but the weight of the jeep was already on on the jack stands. and when I lift by the pumpkin, I always have a peice of 2x4 inbetween the jack lift point and the contact point on that axel.

hope that helps!

 

Harbor Freight is always a good place to buy jacks and stands on the cheap. I've got several pair of their jack stands, they're built quite well IMO.

 

I've had good experience with Harbor Freight as well...

 

NEVER LIFT FROM THE DIFF!!!!

Lift from the frame or the far ends of the axle with the factory jack and put the jackstands on one side at a time.

I bought a set of 12 ton jackstands on sale at a local Auto Zone and they work fine.

 

Why not? I've lifted every car and truck I've owned and modded since I was in high school (in my 40s now).

 

I would also say harbor freight in a good bet for an item like this......you cant go wrong if your looking for cheap