Jack and Jack Stand Recommendations

Looking for advice and recommendations for a hydraulic jack and automotive jack stands.

I've done some googling and looked into Big Red Torin jackstands.

This is my first time buying a jack and jackstands and I was figuring I should get at least 3 ton capacity in both. I would say that I am fairly conservative when it comes to safety, so ideally I would have extra safety features, i.e. locking devices, higher load capacity.

Aside from my 2017 4Runner TRD Pro, I may be lifting a small SUV, Honda Accord, and 1966 Chevy C10.

Thanks in advance.

 

I use a Daytona 3 ton from harbor freight and it's fine.
This one is on my bucket list!

 

That's pretty hefty. Not sure it would fit in my garage.

It's probably in my head but I'm always a little leary of Harbor Frieght.

 

I just researched this. The jack stands to get are made by pro-lift, they have the best quality welds for the price and have a safety pin. This video shows what I mean by this. I went with AC delco 3 ton stands and they work and I cant drop the ratchet mechanism without raising the saddle a tiny amount so its still safe. This next part wont make sense without understanding some terminology so I'll include a photo depicting the parts of a jack stand.

The only thing I don't like about the AC delco stands is that they lack a safety pin and I don't have to lift the locking lever that much before it drops the center column. But with the weight of a vehicle lifting the locking lever just a little bit is close to impossible.
The pro-lift jack stands have a locking pin which is good, and they have the best quality welds so I would choose the 3 ton stands from them.

The jacks have a lot more variation. On a budget I recommend going with a bottle jack. This is because you can buy a higher capacity bottle jack for less money than an equivalent traditional hydraulic jack on wheels. I bought a 2 ton jack from an autoparts store for 70$, when that failed to work I went back and purchased a 12 ton bottle jack for 10$ less than I paid for the first one. The only downside is they are less convenient to get into place and bottle jacks are about a foot tall at the lowest position so whatever you are jacking needs to be at least a foot off the ground, which is fine for a 4runner. Bottle jacks also take less space to store which is nice. You can also leave the bottle jacks under the vehicle while you work on it as a backup, and since it has a smaller footprint it poses less of an inconvenience.

If you want a traditional rolling hydraulic jack, then the Daytona branded ones sold at Harbor Freight are the first decent ones you can get at a lower price (they cost about 132 depending on model and capacity). If you are lifting vehicles with low clearance like you said in your post then you'll have to go with something like this, because the bottle jacks are too tall to fit.

 

This is really great information. Awesome research.

Thanks for the great input.

 

I recently got the 3 ton Daytona long reach, low profile jack. 24.25" lift height so I snagged it. Lift height was my main consideration as my old jack would lift the frame but the wheels would still be on the ground when it maxed out. I dig the foot lever too.

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p..._GQBnjoWgf2lBTQSDT7EfGo3NHGXf5ChoCWfcQAvD_BwE

I have had a pair of these for over 6 yrs. They have held a Super Duty with a spreader & 2 ton of salt (to keep load off of the suspension while a storm came; multiple times). Plus, tons of R&R jobs on many vehicles! I have used them every other week to wash my mowers & countless other repairs. I completely trust them.

About that time I needed a floor jack also. The model I got is not available now & I am sure there are better items available now. However this beast has lifted anything I needed & I use it every week at least. It is a top shop tool for sure! It has a quick lift so after 3 pumps it should be lifting the vehicle or item.
https://www.cpooutlets.com/craftsma...-UgqiwS4IaHL9kfYEVul9LWCuPGV4SGBoCRuMQAvD_BwE
Good luck & let us know what you buy!
Ryan.

 

Thanks everyone. It sounds like a 5 or 6 ton set of jack stands and a 4 or 5 ton Daytona jack from Harbor Freight seem to be the popular opinions.

I just found out my lift kit is coming in today (ordered it Sunday), so I may pull the trigger this weekend.

 

What did you end up purchasing?

 

I purchased the Big Red's and Harbor Freight Low Profile jack. Used them both a good bit already. They fit my needs well.