Floor jack question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

eightsandaces · 07-24-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobiam

Race jacks (Torin for instance) only need 3.5" clearance. I'm pretty sure that would work for you.

It's not 3.5 " anywhere but the toe, hence the post I authored on how far the jack must travel under the vehicle to reach the rear jack point. I doubt there are any floor jack manufactured that will reach that plate from the rear of a Boxster..

Bobiam · 07-24-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

It's not 3.5 " anywhere but the toe, hence the post I authored on how far the jack must travel under the vehicle to reach the rear jack point. I doubt there are any floor jack manufactured that will reach that plate from the rear of a Boxster..

I doubt it as well. There are some pretty good suggestions here to get around the problem.

944boy · 07-25-2009, 10:30 AM

Costco currently is carrying a low profile steel floorjack. It is incredibly heavy but has a very low saddle height and maintains the low clearance for nearly 18". I have not tried to reach the rear jack point. But it is one of the best low profile jacks i have used to date.

eightsandaces · 07-26-2009, 06:40 AM

Whatever method is chosen to "pre raise" the car, it's critical to reverse the steps with equal precision or risk the jack being crushed under the car mangling something expensive.

pk2 · 07-26-2009, 08:35 AM

Heres a little trick (among a couple I used to get the car up. If you get one back wheel of the ground and let the wheel/suspension swing down, the drop it down easy, you'll have bought yourself am 1nch or 2.

I also use 2 floor jacks. a full size 3or 4 ton job and a $29 kragen mini floor jack. Use the cheapy to lift it enough from wherever you can, then put the big one where ever you want.

Regards, PK

Mike_Yi · 07-26-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 944boy

Costco currently is carrying a low profile steel floorjack. It is incredibly heavy but has a very low saddle height and maintains the low clearance for nearly 18". I have not tried to reach the rear jack point. But it is one of the best low profile jacks i have used to date.

I've got one of these. It's a fabulous jack, and it was cheap too. I think it cost $100. My old jack was a low-profile Craftsman. It was crap. It lasted 3 years. Can't buy parts for it, and Sears won't repair it.

This Costco jack is really heavy, but really nice.

RandallNeighbour · 07-26-2009, 07:25 PM

I bought that same Harbor Freight race jack at PepBoys and it was only $59 or even less.

And best of all, it slides right under the car at the back to that central jacking point.

YMMV.

eightsandaces · 07-27-2009, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I bought that same Harbor Freight race jack at PepBoys and it was only $59 or even less.

And best of all, it slides right under the car at the back to that central jacking point.

YMMV.

If it's the same race jack I posted a link pic of I have to call BS.

RandallNeighbour · 07-27-2009, 06:32 AM

It may have been on a closeout sale. Next time I'm in PepBoys I'll see what brand it was and post the name of it and the current price for you. I didn't have $150 to spend that day, that's for sure. The wife and I have a low level limit on impulse spending and I know I would not have gone over that amount without a conversation with her (and it was an impulse purchase as I recall.)

At any rate, it would be smart to visit PepBoys and check out their aluminum race jack to compare prices, quality, and availability.

Coochas · 11-27-2009, 06:32 AM

The Sears low-profile jack is cheap and fits under the rear jacking plates or the rear "Bentley" spot on my BSX 986 which is about an inch lower than stock.
The problem with this jack is that it won't go high enough to get the rear jacking points over jack stands! I use 2 hockey pucks on the jack plate and then can raise the car enough for jack stands. It's crude but effective. This is a portable jack. It is 3.33 inch in height at the pad.

I just bought a really nice low profile jack from Griots for about 400 bucks. It is SUPER low profile and jacks to 20". It also weighs about 100 pounds so it is not portable unless you're a moose at the gym. It rolls incredible smoothly in any direction owing to a huge iron ball built in to it.

Sears jack $49 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950165000P?keyword=low+profile+jac k

Griot Jack (not portable) $400 http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/in+your+garage/jacks+%26+stands/2-ton+floor+jack.do?search=basic&keyword=jack&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

Poorshoesless · 11-27-2009, 07:34 AM

Try this floor jack by Omega. It's not light or cheap but I believe it will work for the Boxster.

http://www.eautotools.com/Omega-OME29023-p/ome29023.htm

Bobiam · 11-27-2009, 08:49 AM

Go to Northern Too on-line and see Torin race jacks at 1.5 Ton at $129 and 2.5 ton at $169. They are light, well made, easily portable, small for storage, and either will lift any Boxster or 911 with ease. If you happen to have a big suv as well, get the 2.5 ton.
Buy cheap and you'll be disapointed for quality or servicability, buy expensive and you'll be throwing away money that you can buy Porsche goodies with.

jaykay · 11-27-2009, 09:58 PM

can anybody describe or post a picture of the proper rear central jacking point?

i take it that there is nothing that can be done at the front due to the overhang

not sure i like the idea of placing one jackstand at a time at the front corners by jacking at the back or close to the front jack point