Hydraulic car jack for lowered VY SS

[mechatron]

Hi Guys,

What hydraulic jacks are there that fit under lowered cars?

I was trial fitting a 17" Monaro space saver this morning and I just found out that my hydraulic jack doesn't fit under my car anymore since lowering it. What brands of jacks have people with lowered cars use?

The standard Holden jack fits under the car but it's just a pain in the arse to use...since it's too damn slow

[BR37TZ]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-Ton-Low-Profile-75mm-505mm-Quick-Lift-Trolley-Jack-Double-Pump-Hydraulic-/141263780524?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20e3fa3aac&_uhb=1

3 tonne, low profile, high lift & double pump at reasonable price

[white lie]

Couple of blocks of wood will be your cheapest option. Or those rubber base plates from the skinny road work cones. Just drive up on to them.
I've got a low profile one, only just scrapes under my car with minimal room to pump it up. Snap On ones are the only ones that easily fit but they're pretty pricey. I don't think my car is overly low either!

[mechatron]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-Ton-Low-Profile-75mm-505mm-Quick-Lift-Trolley-Jack-Double-Pump-Hydraulic-/141263780524?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20e3fa3aac&_uhb=1

3 tonne, low profile, high lift & double pump at reasonable price

Thanks mate....that looks pretty cool, although its a tad more than I was hoping to spend

[mechatron]

Couple of blocks of wood will be your cheapest option. Or those rubber base plates from the skinny road work cones. Just drive up on to them.
I've got a low profile one, only just scrapes under my car with minimal room to pump it up. Snap On ones are the only ones that easily fit but they're pretty pricey. I don't think my car is overly low either!

What low profile jack do you have white lie?

[white lie]

Arcan 1.5 or 2 tonne from memory.
Got it about 9 months ago, someone was buying them up from Costco real cheap and selling them on eBay (suited me as we don't have Costco over here), was under $200. They've gone up a stupid amount since then though, over double last time I checked.

Fits under the skirts no worries but still struggle to get to the diff or k frame to jack up an end at a time.

[mechatron]

Thanks white lie, I'm looking at maybe getting something like this:
http://bit.ly/13Ci6GP
85mm high...hopefully it's an ok jack

[white lie]

I'm not sure man, I don't really like it...

I'd look at something like this...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301120027939?

Obviously double the price but looks a lot sturdier.

85mm will be at the lifting point, the overall height will be a bit over 100mm with that middle ridge where the handle is.

[mechatron]

I'm not sure man, I don't really like it...

I'd look at something like this...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301120027939?

Obviously double the price but looks a lot sturdier.

85mm will be at the lifting point, the overall height will be a bit over 100mm with that middle ridge where the handle is.

You're probably right...I should look at something more like the one in your link. Thanks bud

[Woodchukka]

Arcan 1.5 or 2 tonne from memory.
Got it about 9 months ago, someone was buying them up from Costco real cheap and selling them on eBay (suited me as we don't have Costco over here), was under $200. They've gone up a stupid amount since then though, over double last time I checked.

Fits under the skirts no worries but still struggle to get to the diff or k frame to jack up an end at a time.
Yeah the Arcan jacks have reached a stupid price. I found this tonight.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Ton-Aluminium-Car-Jack-Low-Profile-Car-Trolley-2-Ton-Capacity-RRP-459-/191146452405?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c813765b5&_uhb=1

[storm vy]

I'm not sure man, I don't really like it...

I'd look at something like this...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301120027939?

Obviously double the price but looks a lot sturdier.

85mm will be at the lifting point, the overall height will be a bit over 100mm with that middle ridge where the handle is.

I'd recommend this one, i've got one that looks to be exactly the same and am happy with it, although possibly not as low profile as some? (the lifting point is low but i'm pretty sure the handle hit on the bumper of my old ute which sat quite low) but is a good jack and feels nice and sturdy.

[feistl]

Hey mate,

how often do you jack the car up? I find I'm jacking my car up a lot more than most so it helps justify spending the money, but one of the very best car related purchases I've made is a blue point/snap on jack. It means I can literally get the car up on 4 axle stands in under a minute (literally less than 60 seconds) and it makes the job so much more enjoyable.
Considering a good trolley jack should last forever it is a worth wild purchase (assuming you going to use it).

One of the things I've learned lately is it's worth spending money on quality tools. Apart from the fact they last forever, they make jobs so much faster and easier.

My only regret was not buying a Snapon jack earlier (I persisted with a scissor jack initially then a cheapest alloy jack for a while)

cheers

[mechatron]

Hey mate,

how often do you jack the car up? I find I'm jacking my car up a lot more than most so it helps justify spending the money, but one of the very best car related purchases I've made is a blue point/snap on jack. It means I can literally get the car up on 4 axle stands in under a minute (literally less than 60 seconds) and it makes the job so much more enjoyable.
Considering a good trolley jack should last forever it is a worth wild purchase (assuming you going to use it).

One of the things I've learned lately is it's worth spending money on quality tools. Apart from the fact they last forever, they make jobs so much faster and easier.

My only regret was not buying a Snapon jack earlier (I persisted with a scissor jack initially then a cheapest alloy jack for a while)

cheers

Hey feistl, it's not often that I need to jack up my car...maybe once every 6 months or so. But I do know what you mean about getting quality tools. I suppose with the jack I want to get something that's going to last but still not cost a bomb

[***VX*R8***]

I have a Bluepoint jack and it's very good quality and pretty low. However it won't reach the crossmember in my lowered (SL front) VX Clubsport as the "low area" is not long enough so I still have to jack up one side with the scissor jack or drive onto some lengths of wood first.
Even my standard height G6E turbo won't allow the jack to get to the crossmember easily.

[planetdavo]

I've spent the last 17 years just running any low car onto a couple of bits of 240 x 45 treated pine then use a regular trolley jack. Super super low may require another step up to a higher board.
Ain't anything to impress the neighbours with, but it's cheap and does the job every time. :)

[feistl]

For a slightly more dignified option...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOMIOKA-RACING-SUPER-SLOPE-1-PAIR-TR-SLOPE-/190985022181?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c77982ae5&vxp=mtr

Planetdavo, Not having a go :). Just after 17 years might be worth getting something slightly better. Ideally those ramps should make it easier to roll the car up onto and be lighter/softer on the hands for moving. That said, if the current work is working theres no reason to change.

VXR8, which version of the bluepoint jack do you have? The version i have gets under my VX rear end which is currently lower than SSL (Not by choice :()

[mechatron]

Thanks for everyone's input on this topic. It's given me a few things to think about. I'm thinking that I'll go with something along the lines of what feistl has suggested

[white lie]

I made my own steps out of pine when I didn't have a low jack. 3 lengths a bit wider than the tyres, about 500mm long and 25-50mm high. Cut one in half and stack a half on each full one, use a short piece as a stopper on the end and screw all the pieces together. 10 minute job, costs under $10 and gives you 50-100mm more clearance. Can use thicker wood or another step if your car was real low (or your jack was huge) but I didn't require it.

Along these lines but mine are only 2 levels high... Using pine or a similar wood, they're light as.

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/mwramps/mwramps20.JPG

[mechatron]

I made my own steps out of pine when I didn't have a low jack. 3 lengths a bit wider than the tyres, about 500mm long and 25-50mm high. Cut one in half and stack a half on each full one, use a short piece as a stopper on the end and screw all the pieces together. 10 minute job, costs under $10 and gives you 50-100mm more clearance. Can use thicker wood or another step if your car was real low (or your jack was huge) but I didn't require it.

Sounds good, thanks white lie...that gives me another option to choose from