The floor jack finally gave up so time to shop. I'm thinking a 1.5 ton would do it since the Z32 is the heaviest of the bunch. Also lots of variation in price between brands of the same capacity. Any advice on which ones to stay away from and would a 1.5 ton be enough in anyones experience?

I have an old 1.5 ton Sears floor jack. They don't make them anymore. The only davice I can give you is to make sure you get a low profile jack. Some are just too high to get under the car.

Have a "Lowes" near you? They carry Kobalt brand. I picked up a three ton floor jack here a while back and four jack stands (Also rated at 3 tons)...Hey...if you're going to do it...you might as well build a little bit of overkill (READ Safety) into your tools...that's YOUR body that's going to be under there ya know...

webdawg1

I picked up a nice 2 ton floor jack from Costco last weekend for $99.

-Mike

for what it's worth, I bought my floor Jack at Harbor Fright for $40.00 on sale. It's a 2 4/2 ton . I have only been using it for 7 years but I have no complaints. I have used it plenty during my reconstruction/re fresh of my z. One thing I think that is important , other than capacity, is good quality wheels that are not the little small one you see on some of the offerings. If you need to move the car with the jack to reposition it or something the jacks with the small wheels are difficult to use. It was mentioned that it is your life that is under the car . I NEVER go under my car when it is only supported by any jack. Jack stands are SO important and don't skimp here. Besides the weight rating look at the spread of the legs . To narrow and the car can topple , if you are pulling hard on something . I would like to second what webdawg said. Having a over capacity tool is never a bad thing. My 2 cts. Gary

Consider an aluminum jack. I have a couple from Harbor freight and handling an aluminum jack is so much easier than the steel ones.

Since I never really have to lift the jack, I don't think aluminum is such a big deal. I bought my 2 ton from Costco nearly 15 years ago and have had no problems with it.

Since I never really have to lift the jack, I don't think aluminum is such a big deal. I bought my 2 ton from Costco nearly 15 years ago and have had no problems with it.

I don't lift my jack too often either but just moving them into position is much easier too (90 lbs vs. 40 lbs). I have my old Costco jack too and it is my third backup. Costco also sells aluminum jacks too (albeit you know how their products come and go).

I will look into the aluminum because I do have to carry it back to the 280 and the 3ton was heavy. I just looked at a few this afternoon and all they had were the ones with the narrow width. You are right Gary they don't look safe at all. I'll try our Costco equviliant for one this week as the front end rebuild is ready to be started. I always use jackstands and back that up with a grid of 4x4's under the rails as a backup when pulling on those stubborn bolts. Thanks for the replies.

I bought a 3 1/2 ton professional floor jack from NAPA. It's heavy, but rolls smoothly across the garage floor. The lift saddle has a rubber pad, so it won't scratch the paint on refinished suspension parts.

I hate the one I have and need to replace it. The one I have now is sooo touchy with the handle. You have to be so damn careful (more than normal) when rotating the handle counterclockwise to lower the car. It's very tough to get it to lower slowly. Makes me nervous :nervous:

My next one is for sure going to be a low profile like sakijo suggested. I have to drive my Z on ramps first to get the damn jack to fit under it which is also another disadvantage to it. It's one from Checker Auto Parts. Total piece of JUNK and I curse the day I bought it.

I bought one from Sams in the 80s, it came with a rebuild(seal) kit, and so fat I haven't needed it.

Will