Trolley Jack
Trolley Jack
Author
Discussion

jimburr

Original Poster:

216 posts

162 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
quotequote all
In the market for a better trolley jack. using a cheapo halfrauds type one an the moment and it a pain in the bum. So low entry/high lift is What I'm looking for. Space is limited as is the budget. A friend of mine uses the arcan lightweight on his jap projects and recommends it. Any Wedgers got one of these and is it any good?

pk500

1,975 posts

236 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
quotequote all
jimburr said:
In the market for a better trolley jack. using a cheapo halfrauds type one an the moment and it a pain in the bum. So low entry/high lift is What I'm looking for. Space is limited as is the budget. A friend of mine uses the arcan lightweight on his jap projects and recommends it. Any Wedgers got one of these and is it any good?
2 post ramps the way forward lol

adam quantrill

11,627 posts

266 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
quotequote all
Actually a much simpler solution with a standard trolley jack exists.

Ususally the jack is about 10mm too high to get the car on, especially ar the front (I have for many years jacked up at the point where the 5 chassis tubes meet near the exhaust manifold).

Simply get a 1" thick plank of wood - only needs to be a foot square. Then push the front wheel onto it. it raises that side an inch and hey presto - a standard jack is now fine, and also it has a high enough lift.

For the rear if I'm doing some serious work I back it onto a pair of ramps.

Now cue Elvis's photo of his precarious lumps of wood on his drive with a wedge teetering on top.... ;^)

gas mart 1

181 posts

120 months

Tuesday 10th January 2017
quotequote all
I use a Hilka 4x4 trolley jack cost about 50 quid I run the wedge onto some motorhome levelling ramps first , this gives you enough clearance to reach under to position the jack and place a piece of wood between it and the chassis . Ok if your wedge is a runner.
Cheers
martin

mk1fan

10,856 posts

249 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
I bought a motorsport one off evilbay. Was around fifty notes. SGS iirc.

phazed

22,455 posts

228 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Or call into your local machine mart, they always have a good selection and I have two of these.

mrzigazaga

18,772 posts

189 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
mk1fan said:
I bought a motorsport one off evilbay. Was around fifty notes. SGS iirc.
Mmmm...They do look the dogs.....smile
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...

phazed

22,455 posts

228 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Or call into your local machine mart, they always have a good selection and I have two of these.

mrzigazaga

18,772 posts

189 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Or as phazed say's...Call in to you local machine mart....smile

TV8

3,439 posts

199 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Costco do very good trolley jacks at good prices. go for the ally one, much better than the machinemart ones in my opinion.


rev-erend

21,605 posts

308 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
I have an ARCAN
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcan-Trolley-3000KG-Prof...

but it is bloody heavy.

The low lift aluminium ones are the best but pricey but costco have them once in a while.

TV8

3,439 posts

199 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
I have an ARCAN
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcan-Trolley-3000KG-Prof...

but it is bloody heavy.

The low lift aluminium ones are the best but pricey but costco have them once in a while.
My wife bought me the 3000kg jack when they were on special at Costco and yes, the weigh a lot! I gave that to a taxi driver mate (black cabs are very heavy!) and bought the 2000kg one for about £60 or £70 from memory

phillpot

17,465 posts

207 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Check the lift height before buying, I bought a 3000kg jack not because a TVR weighs anywhere near 3000kg but it lifts higher than a 2000.
May be not an issue if it's just for changing wheels but if you want room to get under, check gearbox oil for example, you need height!

Oh, and check the length, the one I bought is nice and low, goes under the car a treat but the low bit isn't long enough to reach the crossmember irked


anyone want to buy a jack? wink


Yatesy350i

1,024 posts

160 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
SGS Engineering all the way. Great kit at a great price and free delivery on orders over 50 quid. They do a good deal on jack and 4 racket axle stands.

However their smaller low entry jack still requires the roll-on plank trick due to the reach as previously stated. Not sure about the big one?

Number 7

4,113 posts

286 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
I got this Sealey one a couple of years ago - very pleased with it. Goes quite low and has reasonable lift.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

jon haines

960 posts

270 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
I have a cheap trolley jack that I paid £19.99 for with axle stands and it has been ok. I also have a good one that I have had for over 20 years and its a high lift one. Never had a problem gettin either of them under the car. In my opinion the cheap one is ok for changing wheels doing pads, discs, shocks those kind of things but the high lift is better. I a m lucky cos I have an inspection pit if I need to get right under.

adam quantrill

11,627 posts

266 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
quotequote all
Funny that I was thinking of adding a pit to my garage just last night.

All I need is a mini digger.... and somewhere to dispose of a ton of chalk.

ElvisWedgeman

2,715 posts

189 months

Thursday 2nd February 2017
quotequote all
Who needs a jack when you can have a set up like this? safe and sound!!!

And here is the best part. Even though it's jacked up high, the car is still level for oil changes etc.

Tony. TCB.

Edited by ElvisWedgeman on Thursday 2nd February 01:19

Grady

1,230 posts

284 months

Thursday 2nd February 2017
quotequote all
Level because the drive slopes down??? And then you have to store all the wood. I've gotten partial to Rhino Ramps working on the SUV. I think they will work for the 280i. If they are too steep, I'll build some extenders. Grady

phillpot

17,465 posts

207 months

Thursday 2nd February 2017
quotequote all
ElvisWedgeman said:
Who needs a jack when you can have a set up like this?
... and today I shall be changing the brake pads, no, hang on a minute maybe I won't wink