What jack do you like? To take to Autocross

[FredK]

For my regular garage jack I have a steel Craftsman. It's durable, but my biggest complaint is that I need to jack my car to get the jack underneath it. I usually drive onto some 2x6's to get the front end high enough to get the jack underneath.

I would love a long, low jack to make it easier.

I just got a Blackhawk 29023. It fits underneath a low-ish suspension up front with an is lip. No screwing around with wood, ramps, etc.

[Scotaku]

I've owned both the 14" lift Harbor Freight/US General and the 18" OTC 1532...

They're both made in China and while the HF ultimately failed, it did so only after a good five years of use in my garage and various paddocks. I attempted to repair it given the parts list and exploded view diagram found online, but the construction and materials did not lend themselves to the process; the valve body stripped with just handtools. It was worth the effort to try, but also tipped me toward the OTC...

The OTC has all the appearances of the HF jack save for the taller lift height and a dual chamber pump that lifts the saddle to the frame quickly. I use a nylon jack pad slotted to lift at the pinch rail. Though made in China, OTC warrants the jack for life.

Studying the HF and the OTC side by side, I theorized why the HF failed the way it did (won't lift any weight, barely lifts the saddle). I believe I may have fouled the lifting valve and reservoir seals by transporting the jack on it's side one too many times. I used to wedge it in with wheels and tools wherever it would fit when goin to the track. I recall right before it failed that there was hydraulic fluid leaking from somewhere when I pulled it out of the car that final trip. reading back through the manual in attempting to fix it, I found something about not tipping the jack over or carrying it upright at all times... :(

My new jack will stay right side up whether stored or being carried.

[nrubenstein]

When it comes to something to throw in the trunk, it's almost impossible to beat the Harbor Freight jack.