Best Jack For Jeep Grand Cherokee? Trust The Answer

You’ve seen 4WDs cruising around some weird and wonderful places with Hi-Lift jacks. They look cool and functional, but what is the real purpose of these monstrously heavy devices? Do we really need Hi-Lift jacks when we’re out in the bush, or are they just a neat accessory to make your 4WD look more macho? If so, what size would I need for my specific 4WD? These answers and more are covered in this article.

What size Hi-Lift jack do I need? The most common size for most off-roaders is 48″. As a general guide, the 48″ is the most popular choice as it suits most 4WDs. If your truck has a 5-6″ lift height and tires larger than 33″ then go for the 60″. The smaller 36-inch and 42-inch Hi-Lift jacks are more suited to the stock, non-lowered smaller 4×4s, UTVs, and ATVs.

So there are many uses for a Hi-Lift jack, and if you ask me it’s more of a case of damn if you, damn if you don’t carry one. Yes, they are heavy, they are dangerous if not used properly and finding a suitable place to mount them safely and securely can be difficult.

So why do we carry these things around with us?

Stuck in the mud

Okay, I hear you asking, why carry around this archaic-looking monstrosity when you can just grab a bottle jack and go?

Well, that’s because when we get stuck off-road, we’re never on a straight, flat stretch of road. It’s usually in a very difficult, sticky, muddy, sandy, rocky… You have the idea!

A bottle jack just wouldn’t make it in these scenarios. You need something much bigger to lift you out when you’re belly deep in muddy mud. You won’t even be able to see the bottom of the vehicle, let alone mount a bottle jack underneath. Also, even at full extension, the jack can’t lift you high enough to say reposition the vehicle if it’s stuck on a rocky surface or knee-deep in mud.

This is where the Hi-Lift jack comes in.

Another part of off-road adventure is overcoming obstacles and venturing into the unknown. Chances are you’ll get stuck and if you don’t, you’re not trying hard enough… LoL

What Other Uses Are There for a Hi-Lift Jack? Let’s see how you can use it to get yourself out of a pickle.

Use your Hi-Lift jack as a winch

Let’s be honest, if you need a winch you’re well and truly stuck! Nothing really compares to the efficiency of a winch, but a Hi-Lift is probably the next best option. Especially if you are traveling alone or if the second vehicle or your vehicle has no scored snap points. Or maybe the scenario just doesn’t lend itself to a vehicle heist solution. You can only squirm about 1 meter at a time, but hey, it’s better than nothing. In some scenarios, you only need to wind about 1-2 meters and you’re off and ready to go.

SO can wriggle up to 5000lbs with a Hi-Lift when properly adjusted. That’s not half bad, hey. You can certainly get loose with this kind of winch power. Yes, it will definitely be slow, but you won’t need to sleep overnight along the way. You will receive a Hi-Lift winch kit which I will link below. You will need a clevis hook to take the tension of the jack every time you need to reset it.

Alternatively, if you’re the DIY type, which most off-roaders are, with a little know-how you can make your own winch kit with the correctly rated chain setting.

Hi-Lift Extreme vs Regular

Thankfully this has never happened to me but I have seen where a blade pack breaks on a 4WD and they completely disassemble the hi-lift jack and use it as a replacement blade. An ingenious idea that allowed them to continue their travels.

Yes, a Hi-Lift has many off-road uses where a bottle jack simply becomes deadweight and a waste of space. You see, when you’re driving off-road, not every scenario requires the vehicle to be jacked up under the chassis or the differential.

What Other Uses Are There for a Hi-Lift Jack?

Coring a tire Relocating a vehicle stuck on its differential Fixing winch suspension Spreading Clamps Weapon

What size Hi Lift Jack do I need Tacoma

Using a Hi-Lift jack on a Tacoma can prove tricky if you don’t have the proper setup. It’s not just about buying a Hi-Lift jack and you’re sorted. You’ll quickly find that this heavy piece of equipment is a waste of space unless you have the necessary accessories to make it work and the proper jacking points on your taco.

So the Tacoma’s frame sits pretty low and using a Hi-Lift on a raised Tacoma without a Jack Mate could be a challenge.

But first, what size do we need?

So the curb weight of the Tacoma 3.5 V6 in 4WD is approximately 4500 pounds (2000 kg +-) 2.2 US tons.

All Hi-Lift jacks have a shear bolt that breaks at 7,000 lbs.

Max Weight Up to 48″ 4,660 lbs The 48″ Hi-Lift Jack has a maximum winch weight of 5000 lbs

Based on the information above, I would say that a 60″ Hi-Lift is more than adequate for a Tacoma. It’s quite a large truck and a 48 inch truck will probably work but will cut it too fine. I would rather suggest that you invest in something more powerful and durable. The 60″ can lift and squirm heavier than necessary.

The 48 inches might be fine for elevating the Tacoma on a flat tar road, but we’re thinking the worst-case scenario here. In an off-road situation the 60 will shine and you will wish you had bought the 60 if you had a 48.

What about lifting points on the taco?

Hi-Lift jack shows Tacoma

So outside of the showroom, there are no safe Hi-Lift jacking points on a stock Tacoma. You could try the hitch/hitch but that is too risky and if it slips out serious injury or damage could result.

If you have decent rock sliders, all you need is the slider adapter, and this can be a low-risk option for side-lifting your taco. If you have an aftermarket bumper, most come with Hi-Lift jacking points that make life in the bush easier. All you need is the adapter.

Your alternative is a Hi-Lift Jack Mate/Buddy and a base plate. It is relatively safe and can be used both on and off-road.

There are basically 0 factory points where you can use a Hi-Lift on a stock Tacoma.

If you get stuck out on the trails and want to lift a wheel off an obstacle to grab rocks or wood underneath, the Wheel Mate/Buddy works well as you don’t have to jack up much to get the wheel off the ground. If you have a jack you can put it under the wheel and not rely on the Hi-Lift 100%. You can also easily change a tire with this setup.

What Size Hi Lift Jack Do I Need Jeep?

If your Jeep is stock you can get away with a 48 inch, but if you venture off-road you’ll likely end up jacking up your Jeep and fitting larger tires. At this stage it all depends on how high you go, but I would recommend 48″ if you’re going for 2-3″ lifts and 60″ if you’re going for bigger tires and higher lifts.

If you have a 5-6 inch jack on the jeep, you’d better go for a 60 inch hi-lift jack.

If you never plan on venturing off-road, the bottle jack is just the ticket. If you want to change a tire on the street, stick to the factory jack or a larger bottle jack.

Hi-Lifts are designed for off-road recovery situations and not for changing wheels on tar. Here you are better off with a bottle jack.

What size Hi Lift Jack do I need for FJ Cruiser?

Again, for basic off-road recovery or wheel changes, the 48″ on a 3″ lifted FJ Cruiser is fine. However, there will be an opportunity or two when you’re assisting another off-roader and a 60-inch motorcycle would be ideal.

If your FJ runs on 33″ tires and a slight lift kit, a 48″ Hi-Lift jack will do the trick.

However, if you have a 5-6 inch lift on the FJ, you’d better opt for a 60 inch hi-lift jack.

48″ is fine for most applications, but for 6″ lifts, throw into really rough terrain, the 60″ is recommended.

Also if you intend to use it as a winch, 60 is the way to go.

resources

Below are some essential pieces of equipment that you must possess in order to safely operate your Hi-Lift jack.

48 inch hi-lift jack

60″ Hi-Lift Jack

Hi-Lift Off-Road Kit

base plate

Hi-Lift grip holder

Jack buddy/buddy

Hi-Lift bumper lift

Hi-Lift Repair Kit

Conclusion

When changing tires on tar or in your driveway, the factory jack, which can be placed under the axle, works just fine. However, there are always variables that are beyond our control when venturing off-road. This is where a Hi-Lift jack comes to your rescue.

The Hi-Lift jack is designed as a recovery tool and not just a tire changing device. It has multiple uses and can get you out of a variety of tricky situations, but you must use it with care. Learn about proper usage and best practices and you’ll be amazed at how versatile and useful it can be. You will never leave home without it.

Disclosure: We may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Using a jack on an SUV can be a scary experience. As a result, SUV owners are often wary when it comes to making sure they get the right sized jack. However, we did extensive research and found an answer to make this process much less complicated.

Experts recommend using a jack rated for at least 3/4 the weight of your vehicle. In most cases, SUVs weigh close to 5000 pounds. So an acceptable jack would need to be rated at 3750 pounds, making 2 ton options a solid choice.

But this answer doesn’t cover everything you need to know about jack sizes. Our discussions below provide much more detail and cover other buying factors. They make sure you know more than enough to easily choose an acceptable jack.

How to choose a jack?

Choosing a jack for an SUV or other vehicle requires knowledge of specific considerations. But it boils down to five key components: size, type, lift height, build quality, and jack stands. So let’s dive into each one to help you choose the perfect jack for your SUV hassle-free.

size

Each jack is rated for a specific weight range. The actual measurement can usually be found on the jack via a visible sticker. Therefore, it is not difficult to find out how much weight a jack can handle.

But remember, you don’t need to jack up an entire vehicle with one jack. Your chosen option does not have to have a rating for the total weight of the vehicle. As previously mentioned, most experts recommend ensuring that a jack is rated for at least 3/4 of the vehicle’s weight.

For example, a person with a 6,000 pound SUV would not buy a 1 tonne jack. This jack size would only support 1/3 the weight of their SUV. A 2 ton jack [4000 lb rating] or 3 ton jack [6000 lb rating] would be a much safer choice for this vehicle.

Type

Jacks are helpful tools that can be used in various situations on vehicles. However, these devices come in different types intended for different circumstances. So let’s look at the most common ones to see which one suits your specific needs best:

floor jack

You can usually find jacks in workshops or garages. These options are heavy duty service jacks that are the sturdiest, most capable options available to car owners. However, jacks are too big for people who want to buy a jack for emergencies when traveling.

bottle jack

Bottle jacks are much more portable than a floor jack. They use a piston mechanism to lift vehicles. You can also expect them to have simple processes as they often use leverage. But these selected jacks can only raise a car to twice the height of the jack, so they are also suitable for larger vehicles such as SUVs.

scissor jack

Most vehicle owners will be familiar with scissor jacks. After all, these types can be found in almost all spare tire kits. They won’t have any trouble helping you change tires, but they’re impractical for larger vehicle repairs. Using scissor jacks can also be tiring due to the endless winding involved in raising and lowering vehicles using them.

stacker jack

A high-lift jack uses a ratchet mechanism to move a post up, rather than rotating a mechanism off the ground. These bushings can be as long as needed, but the maximum is often 60 inches. However, they are not suitable for most cars because manufacturers build them for off-road vehicles with bumpers made of heavy-duty metal.

If you’re wondering which SUVs have full-size spare tires, see our article, Which SUVs have full-size spare tires?.

lifting height

As with size/capacity, bigger is better when it comes to lifting height of a jack. It gives you more clearance to work on a vehicle once you support it securely with jack stands. But how do you find the right lifting height for your SUV or car?

Check your vehicle’s ground clearance by measuring the distance between the ground and your jack’s support point. You can also check the vehicle’s manual or search online for information about the release of your particular vehicle.

Overall, you want the tallest jack possible because it offers the greatest advantage in jack height. But it’s a matter of finding a balance, as the tallest jack won’t help if it doesn’t fit under your vehicle.

build quality

One of the most important aspects to consider is the build quality of a jack. As you can imagine, quality bushings last a lot longer than cheaply made ones. These options will also end up being more cost-effective.

These reasons alone make it illogical to opt for a cheap jack. In other words, the cheaper option needs to be replaced after only a short period of use. One of the easiest ways to avoid these inferior options is to lift the jack and inspect its parts.

Most jacks with mostly metal parts are more expensive and offer better quality than options with plastic parts. But of course, these aspects are a bit difficult to check when buying online.

So you have to rely on reviews from other customers and other research tools. YouTube videos are another excellent source of jack quality feedback.

jack

Jacks are an essential part of safely raising a vehicle with a jack. In other words, they are a necessary ancillary component to these tools as they hold the lifted vehicle in place. These items are considered the minimum requirement for holding vehicles when working underneath.

As with jacks, these stands have a specific weight class. It needs to fit your vehicle’s load to ensure nothing bad happens when you work under it. If you don’t use them or choose the wrong weight information, you are endangering yourself.

But thankfully, these items are relatively easy to use. You slide one or more of these stands under a car and gradually lower the vehicle to sit in the saddle. From there, the large locking pins hold the vehicle in place to prevent dangerous problems.

Safety tips for using a jack

The most obvious reason to use it would be for a tire change. But there are other jobs like inspecting brakes that require you to climb under the vehicle. However, if you’ve never used a jack before, these tasks might make you nervous.

It’s a totally understandable feeling given that cars or SUVs can easily crush a human. But there are a few simple safety precautions and tips to make this work less disruptive. If you follow these and stick to the owner’s manual, jacking up your vehicle is completely safe:

Never expect a jack to hold a vehicle in place. These tools are only intended for lifting the vehicle.

Shift the car into park or first gear if you have a manual transmission. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away during the process.

Anyone intending to work on the underside of their vehicle must use jacks that can support the weight of the vehicle.

Make sure you are using jacks on a level surface and not on a slope. If you have no other option, turn the wheels towards the side of the road. It is best to place wheel chocks behind the wheels remaining on the ground to prevent them from rolling away unintentionally.

Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.

Do not attempt to change a tire on a busy highway or highway. Call roadside assistance or alert a passing patrol car for help whatever is wrong with your vehicle.

If you have a Kia Sportage SUV and are having trouble removing your tire lever, see How to Remove the Jack from the Kia Sportage. It walks you through finding the jack and removing it from its location.

Is a 1.5 ton jack for SUVs enough?

A 1.5 ton jack should be sufficient for a 4000 pound SUV or less. If your SUV weighs over 4,000 pounds, you will need 2-ton jacks or more, depending on vehicle weight.

Do I need a 2 or 3 ton jack?

2 ton jacks will work on any 5,250 lb vehicle or less. However, if it exceeds the 5,250 pound limit, a 3 ton jack or higher will be required to safely work on your particular vehicle.

Finally

We hope our discussions of SUV jacks have answered your concerns. Choosing one for your vehicle shouldn’t be much of a problem now. However, if you still have a question, feel free to use our comments section. Thank you for reading!

There is more than one type of jack and not every jack is a perfect fit for every car. Knowing which jack is the safest option for lifting your vehicle means understanding how the weight, design, and jacking points on your car or truck affect the jacking process. Check out these tips to understand which jack is the best choice for your needs.

How heavy is your vehicle?

Each type of jack is rated for a specific weight range, with the actual measurement being stated directly on the jack itself in the form of a clearly visible sticker. It’s important to understand that you’re not going to raise your entire car with a single jack, so you don’t need one that’s rated for the entire weight of your car or truck. For most sedans and compact cars, a two-ton jack is sufficient to raise a bend. A pickup truck or SUV might require twice the horsepower rating (four tons) to give you the safety margin you need.

What fits where?

The two most common types of jacks are jacks and bottle jacks, each of which uses hydraulic fluid to raise a vehicle. Floor jacks have a wider footprint, with the handle on one end and the lifting pad on the other, while bottle jacks look like their namesake, standing upright with a small footprint and the jack handle that slides in right next to the lifting arm.

Any of these jacks work well for basic repairs, and since they come in a variety of sizes, you can usually find one that fits under your car’s jack points listed in your owner’s manual. Bottle jacks are great when the lifting points are right on the edge of the chassis, while floor jacks give you more reach under the vehicle and are found in low-profile designs that are useful when your suspension is close to the ground.

If you own a truck or large SUV, you may have come with a factory jack. These jacks are larger units that attach under the bumper of your vehicle. They can be useful in a flat tire emergency, but they are not stable or recommended for serious mechanical work.

jack

Once you’ve chosen your jack type, you’ll need to pair it with a jack stand or two after the vehicle is in the air. Never work on a car supported solely by a jack, as the jack could fail at any time and seriously injure you. Jacks are solid metal supports that slide alongside your jack to support the car’s weight (up to its maximum rating, of course) so you can remove the jack yourself and work safely.

Cars are big, heavy and dangerous, but with a few precautions you can change a tire, inspect the undercarriage or perform maintenance very safely.

View all the tools and equipment available on NAPA Online, or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on what type of jack is right for your vehicle, speak to a knowledgeable professional at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

For every job, in every industry, choosing the right tools for the job is critical to ensure smooth, efficient, and safe operations. In the automotive industry, professional and amateur mechanics alike often have difficulty deciding between repairs using a jack or a bottle jack. One offers stability, ease of use and high speed, while the other offers optimal performance and a compact size.

floor jack

Jacks are oriented so that the hydraulic cylinder is positioned horizontally. One of the most obvious benefits of floor jacks is their portability; Unlike bottle jacks, most floor jacks have casters that allow for easy rolling back and forth, allowing the jacks to be repositioned on the fly. Unfortunately, they’re also a bit clumsy and unwieldy, which can be a disadvantage when space is tight.

Another benefit of jack stands is that they sit low to the ground. This allows them to roll under vehicles that are also deep. There are even special low clearance jacks for extremely low cars. And because jacks come with a long pump handle that allows for very quick raising and lowering of cars, fast operations are possible. The long handle also makes handling easier, a benefit for workers keen to be able to quickly operate jacks in an emergency.

While offering the same performance as a bottle jack, floor jacks take up a lot of floor space. They usually require a bit more maneuvering to set them up so that the handle can be used properly. They also require more storage space. And because of their horizontal design, floor jacks can lift much less weight than bottle jacks.

bottle jack

Bottle jacks, on the other hand, mount vertically and the simpler design allows them to lift more weight to higher elevations. These jacks are also smaller and easier to store than floor jacks and are significantly cheaper.

For truck owners in particular, bottle jacks could be an ideal solution as spacing is generally not an issue and easy placement in a cab space is possible. This portability also makes bottle jacks particularly useful in an emergency, as they can be easily carried to the scene.

Compared to floor jacks, however, bottle jacks cannot offer high stability due to their narrow frame; Floor jacks offer a more solid solution for tricky operations. Bottle jacks also have a minimum lift height, which can cause problems when working with regular release vehicles.

learn more

Bottle jacks and floor jacks offer different features and benefits, and each type works well in a number of different automotive applications. These two jack types can sometimes even be used in combination with each other. For example, when replacing suspension components, it may be helpful to use a jack to charge the vehicle and a bottle jack to keep the suspension isolated from one side of the vehicle.

Contact the Metro Hydraulic Jack Co. team today to learn more about the differences between bottle jacks and floor jacks. As a leading service provider and distributor of industrial jacks, we can guide you through the selection process and ensure you get the best solution for your unique needs.

When it comes to truck or SUV maintenance, everything is bigger. Tires, brakes, suspension and even oil filters are larger and more durable than a typical car. This overbuilt design means heavier vehicles and higher ride heights. Because of this, a regular jack may not suffice.

To get those heavier and larger vehicles off the ground, you need the best truck jack. These jacks can lift more weight and reach greater lifting heights, giving DIYers the reach they need to get a truck or SUV off the ground in their home workshop to take off. Read on to learn more about these handy shop tools.

What to consider when choosing the best jack for trucks

Lifting a large piece of metal, plastic, and steel off the ground requires a little muscle power. Luckily, that muscle comes from the jack, not you. But before you go online to buy a jack, there are a few points to consider. The following is a list of important considerations to keep in mind when purchasing the best truck jack.

vehicle type

There is a big difference in size between a subcompact and a ¾ ton pickup. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why a larger, sturdier jack might be necessary to raise a large truck off the ground. These jacks typically have heavier lifting capacities and higher lifting ranges.

Trucks and SUVs don’t have the same height restrictions as sportier sedans or coupes, so floor jacks don’t have to be quite as flat to slide under. This means home mechanics have more flexibility in choosing the type of jack they want to use. Jacks, bottle jacks, electric jacks, and scissor jacks all fit nicely under a truck or SUV.

Manual vs electric vs pneumatic

There are three ways to raise a vehicle: using manual force, using an electric motor, or using air to raise the vehicle.

Manual jacks require the operator to pump a handle or turn a crank for the jack to raise the vehicle. Although these bushings are designed to maximize mechanical advantage, they are more labor intensive than the other options.

require the operator to pump a handle or turn a crank for the jack to raise the vehicle. Although these bushings are designed to maximize mechanical advantage, they are more labor intensive than the other options. Electric jacks work similarly, but have an electric motor that drives a hydraulic pump or turns a crank. Most of these sockets are powered by the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system.

work similarly, but have an electric motor that drives a hydraulic pump or turns a crank. Most of these sockets are powered by the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system. Pneumatic pumps use compressed air from a compressor to power the pump and lift the vehicle. Many also have manual backups that work like a standard bottle jack.

material

It’s no secret that most jacks are very heavy. From hydraulic jacks to bottle jacks, these are dense, heavy machines. They have to be as they are built from heavy duty steel capable of supporting 3 or 4 tons. The lifting arms of floor jacks usually have reinforced sections, while bottle jacks usually have sturdy bases to support the weight.

Also, many jacks have steel wheels that may not roll very well, but do an excellent job of supporting the weight of a truck or SUV. With the typical weight of an SUV well north of 5,000 pounds, polymer wheels just won’t cut it.

lifting mechanism

When it comes to choosing the best truck jack, you have a few different types of jacks to choose from. They differ in the way they raise the vehicle.

Jacks or jacks have long arms that slide under a vehicle and are raised when the user pumps the handle.

, or jacks, have long arms that slide under a vehicle and are raised when the user pumps the handle. Bottle jacks are compact and fairly light (typically between 10 and 20 pounds), and users position them directly under the jack point. When the user squeezes the handle, hydraulic fluid pushes up a series of pistons to raise the vehicle.

are compact and fairly light (usually between 10 and 20 pounds) and users position them directly under the jack point. When the user squeezes the handle, hydraulic fluid pushes up a series of pistons to raise the vehicle. Scissor jacks have a large screw in the center that draws the two ends of the jack closer together and pushes the jacking plate up, raising the vehicle.

Floor jacks are the fastest, but they’re not very portable. Scissor jacks are very portable, but they take a while to lift a vehicle. More portable than a floor jack and faster than a scissor jack, bottle jacks offer a nice mix.

altitude range

The best jack for trucks needs to have a higher maximum reach than a typical jack. These vehicles have a lot of suspension travel, which means that when the vehicle is lifted, the suspension expands and it takes longer for the wheel to lift off the ground.

A typical jack can only lift 12 to 14 inches. This is rarely high enough for an SUV or truck, as these vehicles often need to be raised to heights over 16 inches. However, keep in mind that all vehicles are different. Bottle jacks tend to have a bit more height than a floor jack or scissor jack, so keep that in mind.

saddle size

The saddle of a jack is the part that touches the vehicle. In the case of floor and bottle jacks, these are typically round. For scissor jacks, they are usually square.

Trucks and SUVs often use body-on-frame construction, which means a large steel frame still runs the full length of the vehicle (unlike modern cars, which use unibody construction). Because of this, the frame is often the best place to jack up a vehicle, so saddle size isn’t always a big deal. The frame does most of the work.

However, when it comes to attaching a jack to a wishbone or suspension component, a larger saddle (up to 3 or 4 inches) may provide a more stable platform to jack up the vehicle.

weight capacity

A typical truck weighs between 5,000 and 7,000 pounds, or between 2.5 tons and 3.5 tons. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that a 2.5 ton or a 3.5 ton lift is necessary. Jacks only lift one corner (half at most) of the vehicle at a time, so they never experience the full weight of the vehicle.

However, since these are heavy vehicles, it’s best to play it safe. Finding a heavy duty jack with a 3, 4 or 5 ton capacity will ensure that you can always jack up the vehicle when you need it and you won’t have to worry about a jack exceeding its capacity.

handles and wheels

Moving a heavy jack around a workshop can be a handful. Luckily, most really heavy jacks (some weigh more than 80 pounds) have wheels that make them at least a little bit easier to move. They also have long handles with knurled grips for dragging them around with gloved hands.

Bottle jacks don’t have wheels, but they do have handles. The jack must be placed under the jack by hand, but the handle then inflates the jack like a jack. Scissor jacks typically have long, offset handles that allow users to slide and rotate these lightweight jacks to jack up the vehicle.

Our top picks

While jacking up a truck can be a daunting task, choosing the best jack for trucks and SUVs doesn’t have to be that much work. To make things easier, the following list includes some of the best jacks out there. Be sure to keep these key considerations in mind as you compare each option.

Overall Winner 1 Blackhawk B6350 Black/Red Fast Lift Service Jack Photo: amazon.com Check Current Price Anyone looking for a quality jack for their truck or SUV should consider the Blackhawk Fast Lift Service Jack. The jack features heavy-duty steel construction and a large swiveling saddle, making it a good choice for lifting overbuilt components. This jack also has two swiveling wheels for easy steering and a long handle with a rubber grip to make it less of a hassle to drag it around a shop.

The Fast Lift Service jack has an operating range of 5.5″ to 22″, providing enough lift for trucks and SUVs. The large 4-inch saddle pivots, which can be an advantage when finding the perfect lifting position. It also has a fast lift feature that allows the jack to reach the jacking point with just a few pumps, speeding up the lifting process. Product Specifications Type: Hydraulic jack

Height range: 22 inches

Weight capacity: 3.5 tons Benefits Impressive lifting capacity

Made from durable materials

Easy positioning with rotating saddle Cons Expensive

Pretty Heavy Get the Blackhawk Truck Jack from Amazon, JB Tools, Northern Tool + Equipment, or Unique Truck Equipment.

Best Bang for the Buck 2 Powerful 3-Ton All-in-One Jack and Jack Photo: amazon.com Check Latest Price Home mechanics on a budget are always looking for versatile tools that can save them money. This is exactly what the Powerbuilt All-in-One does. This combination bottle jack and jack will lift a 6,000 pound vehicle while also converting into a jack to hold it securely in place. The Powerbuilt All-in-One has a lift range of between 11 inches and 21 inches, giving it great reach for almost any factory-height truck or SUV. It features a specially designed lift arm with multiple locking points for quick lifting and securing of the jack. And at just 22 pounds, it’s light enough to pop in a trunk or tool box in a truck bed for roadside repairs. Product Specifications Type: Hydraulic Bottle Jack

Hydraulic bottle jack height range: 11 to 21 inches

11 to 21 inches Weight capacity: 3 tons Benefits Affordable

Compact unit

Wide base for extra support Cons Can be difficult to close at first Get the Powerbuilt truck jack from Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or Summit Racing.

Upgrade Pick 3 Arcan 3-Ton Quick-Rise Aluminum Floor Jack Photo: amazon.com Check Current Price The Arcan 3-Ton Quick-Rise Aluminum Floor Jack is a slight upgrade that’s worth checking out . This jack features aircraft-grade aluminum construction that weighs only 56 pounds. It also has a lifting range of between 3.75 inches and 18 inches, giving this jack enough lifting power for most SUVs and light trucks. There’s also a counterbalance pawl that falls in place when jacked up, preventing this jack from lowering itself.

This jack features dual pump pistons that make lifting the vehicle faster and easier. The Arcan also has a long reinforced handle with a padded section to prevent vehicle damage.

This jack has a rubber saddle pad for a secure grip on the jack point and a wide platform for stability under load. Product Specifications Type: Manual floor jack

: Manual floor jacks Height range: 3.75 to 18 inches

3.75 to 18 inches Weight capacity: 3 tons Benefits Sturdy construction

Relatively light and easy to manoeuvre

Low enough for close spacing Cons Expensive

Quite slow to raise Get the Arcan Truck Jack from Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Electric 4 E-Heelp Electric Jack Kit 5 Ton 12V Photo: amazon.com Check Latest Price The E-Heelp electric jack kit has pretty much everything a roadside SUV or truck driver needs might need in an emergency. It has an electric jack, an impact wrench for loosening and tightening wheel nuts, a flashlight, an air compressor and some emergency tools. Both the electric jack and the air compressor are powered by the vehicle’s 12 volt power supply.

The electric jack has 5 tons of lifting capacity and a lifting range of between just over 6 inches and just under 18 inches. While this jack has heavy lifting capabilities, the entire kit weighs just over 20 pounds. The jack also fits neatly into the small tool kit with the other tools, allowing users to store them under their truck seats or in the trunk of their SUV. Product Specifications Type: Hydraulic Bottle Jack

Hydraulic bottle jack height range: 6 to 18 inches

6 to 18 inches Weight capacity: 5 tons professionals Includes multiple tools and accessories

Relatively affordable

Fits easily in a vehicle

Lightweight but powerful Cons May lose effectiveness over time Get the E-Heelp truck jack on Amazon.

Best Pneumatic 5 Big Red Torin Pneumatic Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack Photo: amazon.com Check Latest Price To get heavy vehicles off the ground, Big Red’s Torin Pneumatic Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack has what it takes to get the job done. This bottle jack features an air-powered pump that uses compressed air, making lifting heavy vehicles a breeze. It also has a hydraulic backup to inflate it when no compressor is available.

This bottle jack features a wide, sturdy base for stability and steel construction. The air pump has an operating range of between 100 and 175psi, and users can control the height with the thumb-activated trigger. The lift range is from 10.5 inches to just over 20 inches, while the weight capacity is up to 20 tons, making it a solid choice for lifting heavy trucks and SUVs. Product Specifications Type: Pneumatic Bottle Jack

Pneumatic Bottle Jack Height Range: 10.5 to 20 inches

10.5 to 20 inches Weight capacity: 20 tons Benefits Powerful 20 ton capacity

Easy handling

Jacks up very quickly Cons Requires 10.5″ of clearance to fit Get the Big Red truck jack from Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best for Off-Road 6 Hi-Lift Jack HL484 48″ Hi-Lift Black Cast Steel Photo: amazon.com Check Current Price With the modern trend in off-roading, some vehicles need a little extra height to lift them The 48-inch -Hi-Lift Jack offers this height by hooking onto the bumper or wheel of an SUV and lifting up to 4 feet.

This jack is off-road capable, with a combination of cast and steel components and a powder coating finish that can outlast a vehicle itself. It’s safe, too, thanks to the shear pin that prevents users from taking it past its 7,000-pound capacity. There is a top mounted winch attachment that allows it to be used as a winch and tow vehicles stuck in a muddy rut or snow without calling a tow truck. The Hi-Lift also has a long handle to make lifting or hoisting as easy as possible. And at just under 30 pounds, it’s light enough to take with you on an off-road adventure. Product Specifications Type: Manual floor jack

Manual Floor Jacks Height Range: Up to 4 feet

Up to 4ft Weight Capacity: 7,000lbs Benefits Compact and portable

Payable

Impressive altitude range Cons Requires manual labor to operate

Doesn’t lift entire vehicle Get the Hi-Lift Truck Floor Jack on Amazon.

Our verdict

For a dependable jack that can lift most sizes of trucks, consider the Blackhawk jack, which is made of durable alloy steel and is easy to maneuver on two caster wheels. Buyers looking for a more portable and affordable solution should check out the Powerbuilt Floor Jack, a hydraulic bottle jack that packs easily into a vehicle and can lift up to 3 tons.

How we chose the best jacks for trucks

When researching our truck jack recommendation list, we covered the most important aspects. We have made sure to include a range of types, both floor and bottle jacks, all offering different styles such as manual, electric and pneumatic units to suit a range of user preferences.

When researching top brands in the market, we found that scissor jacks didn’t meet our expectations, so we excluded this type of floor jack from our top picks. Our list includes top picks, all made from durable materials and perhaps most important to buyers, catering to a wide range of budgets. Our list covers this range from those looking for heavy duty tools for frequent use in a workshop to casual users looking for a compact unit that can easily fit in the vehicle for emergencies.

frequently asked Questions

Even with this extensive background on the best truck jacks, there may still be some questions that need to be answered. Below is a collection of the most frequently asked questions about floor jacks. Be sure to check your answer below.

Q: What type of jack is required for a truck?

Most Jack styles will work; Just make sure it has a minimum lifting capacity of 3 tons or 6,000 pounds and a minimum lifting height of 16 inches.

Q: How do I choose a jack for my truck?

Choosing a jack for a truck comes down to convenience. If the jack will only be used in a garage, a standard jack is the right choice. But if there’s a chance a jack will be needed along the way, a bottle jack might be a better fit due to its size and portability.

Q: Where is the best place to jack up a truck?

Most trucks still use body-on-frame construction, so lifting from the frame is usually best. However, check the vehicle manual before lifting a truck.

Choosing the best jack is about more than just weight capacity

We are intrigued by the mechanical advantages of hydraulic jacks. A little physics plus engineering and we can literally lift tons more than we could on our own. So how do you choose the best jack for your job? We called Bob Fox from Sunex Tools to get some of his almost 5 years of experience.

Choose the right material Steel: heavier but more durable at a lower price

Aluminum: lighter but not as durable and more expensive

Hybrid: Combines both steel and aluminum components to get the best of both worlds

Choose the right capacity. You can find your gross vehicle weight rating, front and rear weight, on the sticker on your door or in your vehicle’s manual

Make sure you can lift more weight than you need to

Don’t overdo it – the higher the capacity, the slower and heavier the jack

If you don’t know Jack, you should know Bob

Mr. Fox began his career in the lifting industry in 1970. He has a wealth of knowledge and has built a strong reputation in the industry over the past half century. As a member of the ASME Board for Portable Automotive Service Equipment, he contributes to the recommendations and regulations in this sector. It’s fair to say he knows boys.

When looking for the best hydraulic jack for your truck, car, or SUV, you’ll generally fall into two categories: construction materials and capacity.

The Best Floor Lifter: Material Type

steel

Steel jacks are by far the most popular because they are the cheapest and most durable. The trade-off is weight: They’re also the heaviest.

The professionals who choose steel jacks usually work in repair shops and in dealers’ service bays. They mainly do tire changes and don’t need to move the jacks too far.

aluminum

At the other end of the spectrum sit aluminum bushings. These are the most expensive and least durable – but can weigh less than half the weight of their steel counterparts.

Aluminum jacks are ideal for mobile mechanics, roadside assistance, DIY and on the track where speed and mobility are paramount. In Bob’s experience, some roadside professionals don’t expect aluminum jacks to last more than 3-4 months before they need to be replaced.

Hybrid

Manufacturers introduced hybrid aluminum and steel jacks a few years ago. Key structural components such as the lift arms and drive units remain steel, while the side plates are aluminum. Not surprisingly, these hybrids strike a balance in both weight and price.

Hybrids can certainly work for mobile pro use, but the heaviest everyday users will still stick with steel for its longer durability. Serious DIYers and gearheads looking for weight savings like this option.

The Best Floor Lifter: Tonnage Capacity

1.5 ton steel jacks are taking a back seat in popularity to heavier 3 or 4 ton versions. But do you really need that much capacity?

Most Pro users can get away with 2.5 ton machines, but repair shops usually opt for at least 3 tons to cover all the bases.

The tradeoff with a higher capacity jack is slower action and heavier weight. To counteract this, many professional jacks have a dual-pump piston system that lifts on both the upstroke and downstroke only until the jack is under load. At this point the jack bypasses one of the pumps and the speed returns to normal.

Determine the appropriate tonnage capacity for your vehicle by locating the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) on the decal inside your driver’s door jamb. Most vehicles also split the weight into front and rear weights. This information is also in the vehicle manual.

Make sure the jack you get can lift more than the heavier of the two weights. For example, if you know you need 3100 pounds for the front (just over 1-1/2 tons), choose a jack that will cover you for 2 or 2-1/2 tons. No need to scale up to the weight of a 3 or 4 ton vehicle unless you just want to know you can lift a larger vehicle.

A short interjection

Another thing – check the maximum height of your jack. Some may only go up to 14″ or 15″. This works great on most cars, but when you get into trucks with 20″ wheels you can’t raise it all the way, or you have to crawl under the vehicle to find a lower contact point.

That reminds me… check out these service jack safety tips.

And thanks to Bob, you now know Jack(s)!

The jack will hold the car up so the car doesn’t fall on you. Make sure the vehicle is securely on the jack. Make sure your vehicle is in park and the emergency/parking brake is on.

Place the jack in the correct spot on the axle between the front or rear tires depending on which tire is flat.

Consult your Jeep owner’s manual to determine the proper jack location under your vehicle.