Lightweight Floor Jacks???

Kevin Panzino · 07-19-2025, 03:11 PM

So, I am really disgusted with the current state of floor jacks. I cant stand these cheap Chinese pieces of crap, and I have always tried to avoid spending my money on communist fecal matter. But I cannot find anything in-between a $1300+ legit high-end nascar jack and the ~$175 China junk?

Does anyone know of something in-between that you have had a good experience with?

Kp

1matcoman · 07-19-2025, 05:00 PM

Kevin, several of my guys have had good luck with the aluminum racing jack from OTC. It's a bit heavier than those cheaper ones, but I think that adds to the better quality.
But, your research is correct. There's not a lot out there between the high dollar ones versus the cheap import ones.

Jeff Niceswanger · 07-19-2025, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1matcoman

Kevin, several of my guys have had good luck with the aluminum racing jack from OTC. It's a bit heavier than those cheaper ones, but I think that adds to the better quality.
But, your research is correct. There's not a lot out there between the high dollar ones versus the cheap import ones.

Sue bought me 2 of those for Christmas 15 or so years ago. Back then they had a lifetime warranty. I mailed in the card but who knows if they would actually stand behind it. I've never had any problem with either of them

Kirk Morgan · 07-19-2025, 10:41 PM

If OTC brand is not in the budget check out Torin or Big Red products. They are off shore but i have very good service with them. I have used there jacks, lift cylinder for my engine hoist and there bottle jack for my 20 ton press.

prostockpete1 · 07-20-2025, 11:59 AM

I have had good luck with the Big Red offshore brand ... they make a all aluminum model & a combination steel / aluminum constructed model with twin cylinders quick action

CMcAllister · 07-20-2025, 12:17 PM

I hate to say it, since my building is full of US made stuff, but the Daytona line of jacks and jack stands at Harbor Freight seem to do a decent job of filling the gap between Snap on pricing and cheap junk.

I bought a steel low profile, long reach Daytona jack for less than half of the Snap on that it's a copy of. Nice jack. I haven't used it for 10 years, so I can't testify to it's longevity, but I'm satisfied with it so far.

Daytona does a few models of aluminum "race" jacks priced from $150 to $300. All are rated at 95% or above, if you trust reviews. HF has sales all the time. Worth a look at least.

Be interested to hear from real users of the Daytona stuff.

SSDiv6 · 07-20-2025, 04:06 PM

The Harbor Freight jacks are manufactured in the manufacturing site in China as Snap-On.

Snap On sued and had to drop the lawsuit because the manufacturer owned the rights to the jack. The Judge even denied the injuction that Snap On had filed.
I don't have any issues with the HF jack and Jack stands. My jack is 11 years old and it has seen a lot of use.

Eman · 07-21-2025, 11:33 AM

I have HF lightweight jack, have owned it for over 10 years stored standing up on it's end in the trailer. Works great, nice and light and it was a great value for what I paid.

cad · 07-21-2025, 12:45 PM

fwiw -- HF daytona 3 ton low profile jack is the deal of the day for $99....while supplies last.

CMcAllister · 07-21-2025, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cad

fwiw -- HF daytona 3 ton low profile jack is the deal of the day for $99....while supplies last.

Hint - get the extended reach. More money, but raises the car considerably higher,

07-19-2025, 03:11 PM	#1
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 575 Likes: 298 Liked 747 Times in 136 Posts	Lightweight Floor Jacks??? So, I am really disgusted with the current state of floor jacks. I cant stand these cheap Chinese pieces of crap, and I have always tried to avoid spending my money on communist fecal matter. But I cannot find anything in-between a $1300+ legit high-end nascar jack and the ~$175 China junk? Does anyone know of something in-between that you have had a good experience with? Kp

07-19-2025, 05:00 PM	#2
1matcoman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 340 Likes: 824 Liked 350 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? Kevin, several of my guys have had good luck with the aluminum racing jack from OTC. It's a bit heavier than those cheaper ones, but I think that adds to the better quality. But, your research is correct. There's not a lot out there between the high dollar ones versus the cheap import ones.

07-19-2025, 10:41 PM	#4
Kirk Morgan Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 230 Likes: 1 Liked 80 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? If OTC brand is not in the budget check out Torin or Big Red products. They are off shore but i have very good service with them. I have used there jacks, lift cylinder for my engine hoist and there bottle jack for my 20 ton press.

07-20-2025, 11:59 AM	#5
prostockpete1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 255 Likes: 3 Liked 90 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? I have had good luck with the Big Red offshore brand ... they make a all aluminum model & a combination steel / aluminum constructed model with twin cylinders quick action

07-20-2025, 12:17 PM	#6
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 614 Likes: 16 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? I hate to say it, since my building is full of US made stuff, but the Daytona line of jacks and jack stands at Harbor Freight seem to do a decent job of filling the gap between Snap on pricing and cheap junk. I bought a steel low profile, long reach Daytona jack for less than half of the Snap on that it's a copy of. Nice jack. I haven't used it for 10 years, so I can't testify to it's longevity, but I'm satisfied with it so far. Daytona does a few models of aluminum "race" jacks priced from $150 to $300. All are rated at 95% or above, if you trust reviews. HF has sales all the time. Worth a look at least. Be interested to hear from real users of the Daytona stuff.

07-20-2025, 04:06 PM	#7
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,043 Likes: 712 Liked 1,577 Times in 581 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? The Harbor Freight jacks are manufactured in the manufacturing site in China as Snap-On. Snap On sued and had to drop the lawsuit because the manufacturer owned the rights to the jack. The Judge even denied the injuction that Snap On had filed. I don't have any issues with the HF jack and Jack stands. My jack is 11 years old and it has seen a lot of use.

07-21-2025, 11:33 AM	#8
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 473 Likes: 16 Liked 133 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? I have HF lightweight jack, have owned it for over 10 years stored standing up on it's end in the trailer. Works great, nice and light and it was a great value for what I paid.

07-21-2025, 12:45 PM	#9
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 702 Likes: 202 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Lightweight Floor Jacks??? fwiw -- HF daytona 3 ton low profile jack is the deal of the day for $99....while supplies last.