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Picture of steelcityfishanddive
posted
Ended up with a flat yesterday on my F-150. Not a big deal as I keep a 8 ton bottle jack in the truck from HF. Well somehow the handle portion piston locked or rusted solid as it did not operate at all. So I dig on the scissor jack that Ford provides. Next thing I know the flimsy little hook portion that you assemble to turn the jack ends up twisting and starts shearing. So now I'm in a pickle and this is taking much longer than it should. Thankfully I had a stout screwdriver in my tool box and I was able to slide that through the hole on the jack and use two hands to use the the jack. Took much longer than it should and I a sweated my ass of. Not to mention I found an ant mound as well.

So now I need to replace the HF bottle jack in the truck. This is the second one to go as the first one had the seals go. So wondering if I should switch over to these smaller portable floor jack style ones - amazon jack

I regularly tow a boat or follow others who are towing a boat so something with a decent lift capacity that's easy to deploy is preferred.
 
Posts: 1330 | Location: Tampa, FL | Registered: June 26, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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If the jack you're looking at has a stamped steel body, I'd pass on it. A buddy of mine was lifting his Ram pickup with a similar one when the body of the jack gave way and it collapsed sideways. Fortunately, the truck fell away from him and he was not injured. And yes, he was on level ground when it happened.
 
Posts: 449 | Location: SE Michigan | Registered: June 15, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Pyker
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I have this one: 3.5T Blackhawk floor jack

Use it on my RAM 1500 along with 3.0T jack stands.
 
Posts: 2763 | Location: Lake Country, Minnesota | Registered: September 06, 2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Staring back
from the abyss
Picture of Gustofer
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quote:
Originally posted by steelcityfishanddive:
So now I need to replace the HF bottle jack in the truck. This is the second one to go as the first one had the seals go.

I hate to be that guy, but I'd look at the common denominator here.

I made it a rule long ago to not gamble my life, my limbs, or my eyesight, on anything purchased at Harbor Freight. They only cost $30 because they are worth $30.

Save your pennies and buy a quality American made bottle jack for your truck. Yeah, they're spendy, but they'll outlast you and will be ready to go when you need them.

U.S. Jack are what I'd recommend for in vehicle carry.


________________________________________________________
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Posts: 21140 | Location: Montana | Registered: November 01, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of steelcityfishanddive
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yeah I know HF.... But everything else looks like the exact same jack just rebranded or painted a different color.

Any warranty on the US jacks? not seeing anything online.
 
Posts: 1330 | Location: Tampa, FL | Registered: June 26, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Banned for
showing his ass
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I notice that the maximum height on that jack is 13" ... will that be tall enough to get your truck wheel off the ground to change ?

I would love to have a portable jack like this so will be following.
 
Posts: 3190 | Location: PNW | Registered: November 16, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Krazeehorse
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We use one of these for service calls.
https://www.harborfreight.com/...loor-jack-64545.html


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Posts: 5769 | Location: Ohio | Registered: December 27, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Hobbs
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OEM scissor jack failed in my jeep. Got one of these Unijacks from Powerbuilt. It's a bottle jack and jack stand, all in one. Lot safer than a bottle jack alone. If the bottle jack part of this thing happens to fail, the stand part of it will hold in place as it incrementally rachet locks going up. Plus, once lifted, the weight sits entirely on the locked in place stand, rather than the bottle jack which is totally dependent on hydraulic pressure to hold.

The one I got is rated 6000lbs and at an initial minimum height of 11", just does fit under my Jeep with all tires inflated.

I replaced the OEM scissor jack with another OEM scissor jack and will use it just to get enough height to slip the unijack under, if need be. Such as might be the case, depending on terrain and other variables.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 
Posts: 4876 | Location: Bathing in the stream of consciousness ~~~ | Registered: July 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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You mentioned to have an F-150. In this video demonstration of the Powerbuilt Unijack, a 4000lb version of the Unijack works just fine lifting a corner of the F-150. The demonstration is provided by etrailer dot com. With the 6000lb version, I have insane safety overkill when used on my Jeep. But who knows, you might have a load in the bed and need to jack the 150. The 6000lb version might come in handy. Just keep in mind, the height differences between the two versions of the Unijack and which might be the better fit. I guess even with a loaded bed if at F-150 rated load, the 4000lb should still be sufficient. The choice might all depend on how much jack height lift you might think you'll ever need. I have the 6000lb version but I might have to get the 4000lb version just because LOL.

 
Posts: 4876 | Location: Bathing in the stream of consciousness ~~~ | Registered: July 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
safe & sound
Picture of a1abdj
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^^^^^^

Nothing wrong with overkill. I have a work 4500 that fully loaded with 6,000 pounds in the bed would put me around 7,000 pounds on the front axle (3,500 per side), and 12,000 pounds on the rear (6,000 per side).

No way is a F150 going to be anywhere near that. Looks like the maximum payload for a F-150 (depending upon configuration) is 2,200 pounds with a maximum curb weight of 5,000 pounds. You shouldn't need to lift more than 1,500 pounds or so per corner. Even the 4,000 pound jack would be more than twice what you would need.


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Posts: 15989 | Location: St. Charles, MO, USA | Registered: September 22, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
As Extraordinary
as Everyone Else
Picture of smlsig
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I have the same one Hobbs mentioned and use it on all my overlanding trips where I might need to use a jack in a less then ideal situation.

Highly recommend!


------------------
Eddie

Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
 
Posts: 6592 | Location: In transit | Registered: February 19, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Bookers Bourbon
and a good cigar
Picture of Johnny 3eagles
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If you are an authorized military Exchange shopper, the PowerPoint 4000lb Unijack is $39.95. If you have a STAR CARD, shipping is free, and as always, no tax.

Amazon is $59.95





If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.


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Posts: 7494 | Location: Arkansas  | Registered: November 06, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
drop and give me
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Bottle jacks do not like COLD Weather. Had to place jack over the heater vent to WARM up fluid because it was FROZEN. Jack was kept in back of unheated van. Took 45 minutes to thaw out. Outside temps were atleast -35*F (below zero). Very soon after acquired a High lift jack which i kept for many years and used on different vehicles. Currently you see this type of jack on jeeps maybe across the hoods or mounted off back corner. Also used by farmers for stetching fence wire. If you ever have to use one you understand. ....................................... drill sgt.
 
Posts: 2204 | Location: denham springs , la | Registered: October 19, 2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Dances With
Tornados
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^^^^^^^^^^ A High Lift Jack is an awesome thing to have. When I was a youngster I used one as you described on fencing. Getting a flat tire on the farm truck or implement due to the giant thorns on Osage Orange trees or Honey Locust trees. Usually on unlevel ground, the High Lift handled it all. Step on or touch up to one of those two trees the thorns will go right though your boots, even worse on regular clothing. Changed many farm tires with the High Jack.

I built and repaired miles of barb wire and electric wire fencing. Between that a a come along you've got it made. (I still have 3 or 4 Fence Pliers and still find uses for them to this day. Mighty fine invention).

It also will pull up a fence post out of the ground very easily. Don't waste your time and energy digging a post out of the ground.

Sorry for the ramble, brings back memories.
.
 
Posts: 12090 | Location: Near Hooker Oklahoma, closer to Slapout Oklahoma | Registered: October 26, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
For real?
Picture of Chowser
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quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
If you are an authorized military Exchange shopper, the PowerPoint 4000lb Unijack is $39.95. If you have a STAR CARD, shipping is free, and as always, no tax.

Amazon is $59.95


Is this in stock at most exchanges? I’m visiting my son at Fort Bragg next month.

My car has run flats so no spare or jack. I have a scissor jack from HF and a spare temporary wheel on order. When it gets in I will grab a spare tire and have my boss mount it.

Never mind. The highest vehicle I have has a ground clearance of 7” so the powerbuilt is too tall.



Not minority enough!
 
Posts: 8283 | Location: Cleveland, OH | Registered: August 09, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Hobbs
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Well, since the Hi-Lift has been mentioned ... and in addition to the Powerbuilt Unijack ... I also have a Hi-Lift X-Treme, Lift-Mate, off-road kit and off-road Hi-lift base.

Hi-Lift observations on my Jeep Liberty: Even Hi-Lift strongly cautions against using the Lift-Mate for something as simple as changing a tire for one. And two, there isn't ANY good place to use a Hi-Lift on a stock Jeep Liberty without getting into the sheet metal. Even with aftermarket Boulder Bars mounted to frame, they're tucked up under the doors enough it's dang near impossible to Hi-Lift on the Boulder Bars without getting into sheet metal. In spite of using towels and blankets I've managed in the past to relieve the Jeep Liberty of a small spot of clear coat. Besides, have you ever weighed that stuff? ... it's just not practical to carry around a Hi-Lift and all that stuff on a normal routine daily basis.

And lastly, I think a Hi-Lift is the most possibly dangerous and unstable option there is. That said, Safe Jacks dot com have a universal Hi-Lift Stabilizer ... for $242 ... makes the Hi-Lift much more stable and a little safer.

At the end of the day, there are less cumbersome, safer and much less cost options than the Hi-Lift. Hi-Lift is great for things around the farm. I even used the Hi-Lift to jack up the corner of a storage shed I needed to level. Worked great ... to carry around and use on my Jeep ... not so much.

For me as far as the Hi-Lift and Jeep are concerned and off-road ... the Hi-Lift works as a manual winch and the Lift-Mate option attaches the Hi-Lift securely to a wheel for lifting a wheel up out of muck if stuck and needing to put material under a tire.

Hi-Lift X-Treme, Lift-Mate, off-road kit and accoutrements. All that stuff takes up a good deal of space in the Jeep. Cumbersome, heavy and a decent chunk of change to purchase. I only carry in the Jeep if going seriously off-road, which isn't often but I have it if I need it ...



Hi-Lift Off-Road Base that lives in my Jeep because it's so handy as a base for my OEM Scissor Jack, flipped over it's a seat on the ground etc etc ...



6000lb Powerbuilt Unijack, a couple of 6 Ton stands and a dog. His name is Mason ... Now if I can just find my coffee cup ...



My 2003 Jeep Liberty 4X4 that the Hi-Lift is a pain in the butt to use on but the Powerbuilt Unijack works great jacking up ...

 
Posts: 4876 | Location: Bathing in the stream of consciousness ~~~ | Registered: July 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Hobbs
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quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
Bottle jacks do not like COLD Weather. Had to place jack over the heater vent to WARM up fluid because it was FROZEN. Jack was kept in back of unheated van. Took 45 minutes to thaw out. Outside temps were atleast -35*F (below zero).

Just thinking out loud ... you'd have the same problem with a small floor jack some suggested carrying around. Uses same fluid as a bottle jack I think. Glad you mentioned it. I had no idea. But I live in the deep South and won't see anything near that cold so hadn't considered it. OP lives in Tampa, FL so don't think he's too worried about it either LOL. But MAN !!! ... how do you even function in that kind of weather? Shoot
 
Posts: 4876 | Location: Bathing in the stream of consciousness ~~~ | Registered: July 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
drop and give me
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quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
Bottle jacks do not like COLD Weather. Had to place jack over the heater vent to WARM up fluid because it was FROZEN. Jack was kept in back of unheated van. Took 45 minutes to thaw out. Outside temps were atleast -35*F (below zero).

Just thinking out loud ... you'd have the same problem with a small floor jack some suggested carrying around. Uses same fluid as a bottle jack I think. Glad you mentioned it. I had no idea. But I live in the deep South and won't see anything near that cold so hadn't considered it. OP lives in Tampa, FL so don't think he's too worried about it either LOL. But MAN !!! ... how do you even function in that kind of weather? Shoot
^^^^^^^^^DO NOT live under those EXTREME Weather conditions at the current time here in south Louisiana. That was interior of Alaska in the 1970"s and Uncle Sam was the travel agent assigned to FT. Greely/Delta Junction, Alaska. The Artic Cold Regions Test Center where I worked by the thermometer and not the clock and the colder it was the more was on duty testing new equipement to verify that it would withstand everyday use and not in a controlled labratory setting. Have slept ouside on ground at -45*F (below zero) in a down filled mountain bag inside of the Artic Bag inside of a sleeping bag sock wrapped taco style in a Army poncho on a bed of spruce boughs. Coldest temps seen was one night while testing a new night vision devices was -82*F (pure) on a calibrated thermometer and the chill factor -127*F. Now that was one chilly evening. ......................................... drill sgt.
 
Posts: 2204 | Location: denham springs , la | Registered: October 19, 2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
drop and give me
20 pushups
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
Bottle jacks do not like COLD Weather. Had to place jack over the heater vent to WARM up fluid because it was FROZEN. Jack was kept in back of unheated van. Took 45 minutes to thaw out. Outside temps were atleast -35*F (below zero).

Just thinking out loud ... you'd have the same problem with a small floor jack some suggested carrying around. Uses same fluid as a bottle jack I think. Glad you mentioned it. I had no idea. But I live in the deep South and won't see anything near that cold so hadn't considered it. OP lives in Tampa, FL so don't think he's too worried about it either LOL. But MAN !!! ... how do you even function in that kind of weather? Shoot
^^^^^^^^^DO NOT live under those EXTREME Weather conditions at the current time here in south Louisiana. That was interior of Alaska in the 1970"s and Uncle Sam was the travel agent assigned to FT. Greely/Delta Junction, Alaska. The Artic Cold Regions Test Center where I worked by the thermometer and not the clock and the colder it was the more we were on duty testing new equipement to verify that it would withstand everyday use and not in a controlled labratory setting. Have slept ouside on ground at -45*F (below zero) in a down filled mountain bag inside of the Artic Bag inside of a sleeping bag sock wrapped taco style in a Army poncho on a bed of spruce boughs. Coldest temps seen was one night while testing a new night vision devices was -82*F (pure) on a calibrated thermometer and the chill factor -127*F. Now that was one chilly evening. ......................................... drill sgt.
 
Posts: 2204 | Location: denham springs , la | Registered: October 19, 2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
safe & sound
Picture of a1abdj
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For those living in cold climates, they do make cold weather jacks.


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Posts: 15989 | Location: St. Charles, MO, USA | Registered: September 22, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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