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Floor Jack

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The most basic of questions but don't want to injure myself or the car. As a newbie to "race cars" and the boss; I need a car jack and stands to work on the brakes, etc. Any suggestions on the jack; and do I need anything special to lift the car without damaging it?

John
 
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IMO go with a good quality aluminum jack like a Craftsman, you don't want it to break on you at the wrong time, you don't need a 2 pump race jack, and your back will thank you later.
 
I recommend adding Kenny Brown jacking rails.

http://store.kennybrown.com/product/chassis-support/jacking-rails-1979-1993-and-2005-2014-mustang-boss-302-and-gt500
 
blacksheep-1 said:
IMO go with a good quality aluminum jack like a Craftsman, you don't want it to break on you at the wrong time, you don't need a 2 pump race jack, and your back will thank you later.

True but how many Harbor Freight jacks do I see floating around at GA races (and cub races)? OK, they are not on pit road for tire changes but you know what I am talking about ::)

Everything is made in China now, even Craftsman. It may be better quality, not sure, but always using a jack stand if you get under the car is the only way to work no matter what jack is used. Anyway I have had really good luck with Harbor Freight jacks, been using them for years and never had one fail or even leak.

(not picking on you, your overall comment is correct)
 
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YellowBoss said:
True but how many Harbor Freight jacks do I see floating around at GA races (and cub races)? OK, they are not on pit road for tire changes but you know what I am talking about ::)

Everything is made in China now, even Craftsman. It may be better quality, not sure, but always using a jack stand if you get under the car is the only way to work no matter what jack is used. Anyway I have had really good luck with Harbor Freight jacks, been using them for years and never had one fail or even leak.

(not picking on you, your overall comment is correct)

I was thinking Craftsman more from a warranty viewpoint, The jackstands I like best are big wood blocks with handles screwed to them, they do take up more room, but their cheap, they stack, they don't fall over and they come in infinite sizes.
 
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Maui
I had a craftsman jack and it broke on me... Ended up getting a NAPA 3 ton jack and it works very well for me.. Of course always use your jack stands...
 
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Tulsa, OK
NFSBOSS said:
I recommend adding Kenny Brown jacking rails.

http://store.kennybrown.com/product/chassis-support/jacking-rails-1979-1993-and-2005-2014-mustang-boss-302-and-gt500

Yes, definitely worth the investment.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Look here first, if you haven't jacked up your Boss yet:

Topic: How to Properly Jack/Lift Your Boss
https://trackmustangsonline.com/index.php?topic=1974.0

I've used Craftsman and Harbor freight Jacks. I like the aluminum HF jacks for use at the track, and I'm going to add a low-profile steel one for the garage. There are some coupons in the recent 5.0 or MM&FF mags. I also keep a bottle jack or two for supporting other items that are separate from the chassis like trans/engine/rear axle. 2x and 4x material is also good to have on hand as well as rubber pads for the jackstands...to keep from marring your underbody paint.

On sale now too...this is the one I want to add:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-rapid-pump-68050-8048.html
 
This jack is long enough to go past the frame rail (plenty long) and still having plenty of room between the rocker panel and the frame of the jack , http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-rapid-pump-68050-8048.html
 
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unit5alive said:
This jack is long enough to go past the frame rail (plenty long) and still having plenty of room between the rocker panel and the frame of the jack , http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-rapid-pump-68050-8048.html

Is it made in aluminum? After slinging one of those around all day they get heavy, good design though.
BTW stay away from the race jacks (the real ones, the two pump jacks) because even a fat guy like me has to jump off the wall onto the handle to get them to lift. If you weigh under 200 forget it.
 

drano38

Wayne
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NFSBOSS said:
I recommend adding Kenny Brown jacking rails.

http://store.kennybrown.com/product/chassis-support/jacking-rails-1979-1993-and-2005-2014-mustang-boss-302-and-gt500

roadhouse said:
Yes, definitely worth the investment.

This.
Wish I had put them on a long time ago.

I started with 2 HF 1.5 ton aluminum jacks. After installing the jacking rails, I decided I wanted a stronger jack, so I picked up a HF 2 ton aluminum--which is built a lot heavier than my 1.5 ton jacks.
 
blacksheep-1 said:
Is it made in aluminum? After slinging one of those around all day they get heavy, good design though.
BTW stay away from the race jacks (the real ones, the two pump jacks) because even a fat guy like me has to jump off the wall onto the handle to get them to lift. If you weigh under 200 forget it.

No this one is heavy but makes a great shop jack. I can get under the Boss with the coil-overs and a pad on the jack with room to spare. Lifts quickly with little effort on handle. For the track I use the same as the other guys here 1.5 aluminum, beat it to death and then you can go buy two more for the price of one of the others.
 
The jack is listed at 93.3lbs , very well built , I took apart the handle assembly and put some white grease inside , now the knob that you use to let the jack down turns nice and smooth .
 

Justin

Save the dawn for your dishes!!!
I use a craftsman alum jack I have had it for well over 7 years now and it works perfectly fine for me.

Since I bought the rhino ramps though I hardly ever use a jack these days to work under the car the ramps are so much quicker.
 
When I work on my brakes or rotate tires (squared setup) I use a couple of sissor jacks and a cordless inpact, works great!
 

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