[hank]

Bought dedicated winter tires/rims, so will also finally buy a floor jack for my garage.

I'm thinking 3 ton? GVW of Metris passenger is ~ 6700lbs. But 3 ton jack is safe for lifting one wheel at a time, yes?

Could I go 2 ton and still be confidently safe?

Also, when I worked at a service station we changed tires all the time with just the floor jack, no jack stands. Just pre-loosen and don't get underneath as you work. But everything I see on line says to use jack stands all the time no matter what. IS that really necessary to just swap a tire?

Thanks

 

[Gottlieb]

Bought dedicated winter tires/rims, so will also finally buy a floor jack for my garage.

I'm thinking 3 ton? GVW of Metris passenger is ~ 6700lbs. But 3 ton jack is safe for lifting one wheel at a time, yes?

Could I go 2 ton and still be confidently safe?

Yes with the proviso that you're using a decent jack. Some of these bottom-of-the-line jacks are no good at 1/4 their weight rating. I've had real cheap ones bend handles, burst seals, twist casters, etc. on first use.

On the other hand, the mechanical advantage of a typical 2-ton will be such that lifting the Metris will require a lot of effort. For that reason alone I would go with a bigger jack.

Also, the Metris is rated at 6,724 fully loaded. An unloaded van will weigh in the mid-4,000s.

Also, when I worked at a service station we changed tires all the time with just the floor jack, no jack stands. Just pre-loosen and don't get underneath as you work. But everything I see on line says to use jack stands all the time no matter what. IS that really necessary to just swap a tire?

Thanks

If you knew for certain that your floor jack would release without warning at some point in the middle of your tire change, would you feel comfortable without a safety stand? Using stands is a habit you want to develop and maintain, similar to "every gun is loaded."

 

[hank]

If you knew for certain that your floor jack would release without warning at some point in the middle of your tire change, would you feel comfortable without a safety stand? Using stands is a habit you want to develop and maintain, similar to "every gun is loaded."

Good point there, thanks.

Regarding the buy a decent jack advice, I'm assuming Harbor Freight jacks qualify as cheap ones?

 

[DKTVAV]

Good point there, thanks.

Regarding the buy a decent jack advice, I'm assuming Harbor Freight jacks qualify as cheap ones?

I believe there are recalls for HF jacks but Daytona is good with low profile (in case you have other cars) on sale frequently for around $80.

 

[RansomRidge]

I use an Arcan HJ 3000 3 ton jack. It works good, it has never released prematurely so far. I use it on my Prius also, which is why I needed a low profile jack.

Its not the cheapest jack, but I'm willing to pay extra for a quality tool that will hopefully last longer than a budget jack.

Amazon.com: Arcan 3 Ton Professional Grade Aluminum And Steel Service Jack: Home Improvement

Buy Arcan 3 Ton Professional Grade Aluminum And Steel Service Jack: Floor Jacks - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Greenmanedlion]

Good point there, thanks.

Regarding the buy a decent jack advice, I'm assuming Harbor Freight jacks qualify as cheap ones?

No, they qualify, as the Germans say, as “völlig beschiessen und wertlos”. That is to say, avoid Harbor Freight stores as if they were a wormhole to Chernobyl.

 

[pounce]

Check out Portable Car Lift for your Garage or Shop - QuickJack if you have an interest in investing a little for future projects. You can often find them for good prices at Costco and Homedepot.

 

[mohammadinabearsuit]

No, they qualify, as the Germans say, as “völlig beschiessen und wertlos”. That is to say, avoid Harbor Freight stores as if they were a wormhole to Chernobyl.

No, they qualify, as the Germans say, as “völlig beschiessen und wertlos”. That is to say, avoid Harbor Freight stores as if they were a wormhole to Chernobyl.

That is f'n funny!
conbining bescheissen und wertlos ist ganz lustig!

 

[bfreidah]

I can also recommend the Arcan HJ 3000. The first time I jacked using a Harbor Freight all aluminum 2 ton unit. Within a few minutes hydraulic fluid started leaking out of the piston. That jack is now reserved for lifting my lawn mower. The Arcan feels quite dependable.

 

[hank]

Thanks for all the helpful feedback.

Is this Arcane 3.0 acceptably similar to the HJ3000? $149 from Costco, but maybe it's not just relabelled but a downgrade?

https://www.costco.com/3-ton-professional-grade-aluminum-and-steel-service-jack.product.100222458.html

 

[DKTVAV]

I can also recommend the Arcan HJ 3000. The first time I jacked using a Harbor Freight all aluminum 2 ton unit. Within a few minutes hydraulic fluid started leaking out of the piston. That jack is now reserved for lifting my lawn mower. The Arcan feels quite dependable.

2 ton HB vs 3 ton Arcan???

And you used a 2 ton jack expecting it would hold your van?

 

[RansomRidge]

Hank- Yes, that sure looks to be the same jack that I have- all of the specs are the same. I forgot that I had gotten mine from Costco. The one I bought and the one you linked to have the same item number so most likely the same product unless Arcan has done a switcheroo.

 

[hank]

Okay thanks, I ordered it.

 

[bfreidah]

2 ton HB vs 3 ton Arcan???

And you used a 2 ton jack expecting it would hold your van?

To lift one rear tire of an empty van, yes.

 

[focus805]

I can also recommend the Arcan HJ 3000. The first time I jacked using a Harbor Freight all aluminum 2 ton unit. Within a few minutes hydraulic fluid started leaking out of the piston. That jack is now reserved for lifting my lawn mower. The Arcan feels quite dependable.

My Arcan has been bombproof for 25 years. And it has zerk fittings.

 

[Jstos]

Check out Portable Car Lift for your Garage or Shop - QuickJack if you have an interest in investing a little for future projects. You can often find them for good prices at Costco and Homedepot.

I've been spotting one for some time now but unfortunately the space between the Metris lifting points is too wide. Not even the 7000.EXT model will fit. 😒