Best jack stands | Buyers’ Guide
What is the best jack stand? It is a quite simple tool in the design which consists of a large base and a lifting component. The latter allows adjusting the height range and is locked with a help of a pin or by means of a special ratchet mechanism. The most advanced jack stands feature double-locking system which ensures enough safety to feel more than confident being under a heavy vehicle for a long time. High-quality stands from reliable manufacturers are always certified by the international safety and quality standards, thus they are really capable of holding up securely heavy objects of a rated weight. They feature great stability and a special protection preventing surface of supported object from damage. Besides, they are usually compact and lightweight, thus additionally contributing to the user-friendliness. For instance, the Torin T43004 is an affordable but highly useful and reliable tool for any motor driver or mechanic enthusiast.
Why have I chosen this model? Torin T43004 is a pin-through-hole type of jack stands which is considered to be more reliable due to its locking pin with no risk of an accidental slippage. This set of two stands features 6,000 lbs load capacity. The lift range is from 10.7 inches to 15.6 inches which makes them suitable for vehicles with different ground clearance like small cars or light-duty SUVs and trucks. The great stability of these tools is ensured by a large foot base. The latter is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum, thus it is very solid but still lightweight.
The simple truth about jack stands | The Foreword
This article is mostly dedicated for the motorist enthusiasts and automotive repair services, as here I’m going to make an in-depth review of the very useful tools exactly for such fields of application.
During repair or maintenance of any vehicle it is often necessary to secure the load at a particular height level. Various floor jacks like mechanical, hydraulic and electrical models are used for lifting purposes only. But right after getting the desired height, the load must be captured securely by the jack stands in order to ensure safe work around and underneath of the vehicle. So, let’s find out about these devices, their types, and the best alternatives among them.
Main features to be considered when searching for a jack stand | Buyers’ Guide
Load capacity. First of all, your choice should be obligatory based on how much a jack stand can lift. For instance, in order to support compact cars and various types of trailers, jack stands of up to 4,000 lbs load capacity would do the job with no hassle. If you are going to deal with heavier cars, then 6,000 lbs tools may be required. Various types of trucks, and other machinery and equipment would be securely hold by jack stands of up to 24,000 lbs bearing capacity.
In this regard, in majority of cases it would be better to use two or even four stands at the same time, which will support one axis, or to be arranged symmetrically at several points of a vehicle. Usage of a stand couple reduces the load per stand, thus enhancing reliability and safety of the work underneath. Also, it is important to mention that many manufacturers specify the capacity as a total amount for a pair of jack stands. Thus, individually they will not be able to withstand such load.
Ground clearance. This parameter means that the height of your stand has to mirror the distance from the ground to the bottom of your vehicle. In particular, if you have a bigger clearance vehicle like SUV or truck you can choose almost any model. However, pay closer attention to its height ranges and lifting capacity to cope with your duties, in advance. In case of lower clearance, less than 6 inches, you should get only that stand matching this distance, otherwise you will never fit it under your car in an appropriate manner.
Lifting height. Depending on a type and designation of different jack stands, they are offered with various maximum heights. In order to perform servicing under the majority of motor cars, a jack stand of up to 18 inches would be enough. If your car has bigger clearance, then you will need tools of up to 23-1/2 inches height. And very seldom, commonly for professional use only, the stand jacks with the lifting height more than 30 inches could be required.
Types of jack stands. Nowadays, the modern jack stands differ by the type of a locking mechanism, housing and base designs. However, there are two most common types of jack stands which are the following:
Ratchet stands are some of the most popular type of the jack stands. The device consists of a stable base, a movable bar with a supporting pad and a locking mechanism. The ratchet bar has several teeth cuts at a regular interval, and an arm which locks the bar at desired height or releases it. The Performance Tool W41022 is an awesome set of ratchet jack stands which demonstrate enough strength and durability at an affordable price.
Nowadays, some ratchet jack stands feature a pin which secures additionally the ratchet bar. Such mechanisms are called as double-locking systems and grant more convenience and safety.
The pin-through-hole jack stands have another principle of operation. The height adjustment bar of such stand is made of a thick-wall pipe or a hollow section with a range of opposite holes at a regular interval. Bar locking is carried out by means of a pin which shall be inserted into a hole, thus the bar is secured in place. The pin itself can have a protective rubber ring or a chain to exclude occasional slippage. The Torin T43004, which is my personal top pick in this article, is classified as a set of pin-through jack stands.
Besides, the jack stands can be distinguished by base design: stationary and folded based models. The jacks of the first type are simple in design. Their base is made by pressed or welded steel or aluminum. The shape doesn’t tend to deformation during the process. The folded jacks have movable legs, thus you will have no issues with storage of such tools.
Difference between floor jack and a jack stand
Let’s make the things clear. Jacks are designed for lifting the loads, and the jack stands support the load after reaching the desired height. Thus, the floor jack must not be used as a jack stand and vice versa. The design of a floor jack is not foreseen for bearing loads for extended periods of time, as its components tend to deformation under a long-term load. As the practice shows, there are plenty of accidents related to jack failure without additional support which can be perfectly ensured by a jack stand. Overall, you will get the best working conditions under your vehicle by using the combination of these highly useful devices.
Trusted Brands
Torin Jacks, Inc. – the U.S. based company which was founded in 1993 as a provider of automotive equipment. The Company belongs to Changshu Tongrun Group which is one of the largest jack manufacturers worldwide. The company’s BIG RED brand is highly-recognizable in the global jack industry, especially in the U.S. Their products are continuously passing certification to comply with the international quality and safety standards.
Hein-Werner – the company which focuses on production of lifting equipment for the automotive industry and private applications. The company is owned by Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc., which is one of the major distributors of hydraulic lift equipment in the US and Canada. The group certifies its activities and products according to the international standards.
Pro-Lift - is one of the U.S. largest manufacturers of floor jacks, tire chocks, jack stands, and other lifting products which are highly demanded by owners of cars and heavier vehicles. The company also belongs to the Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc.
Arcan – this is a comparatively young but already well-known U.S. brand of lifting equipment for the automotive industry. The company is a part of PowerStation Group which owns other manufacturers, like Nos and AmerEquip, of the reliable machinery and tools for the professional-grade applications.
Top-3 jack stands | Features and recommendations
We’ve prepared a short list of the most popular jack stands on the current market based on the customers’ reviews and on the opinion of the experienced technicians in this field.
1. TORIN T43004 | Best product
Torin Jacks, Inc. is getting on with its high-class job. They are introducing a wide range of innovative products covering multiple needs in the automotive industries. Their pin-through-hole BIG RED T43004 comes in an uncommon design. These stands feature a large hexagonal shaped base instead of conventional 4-leg option. In general the design is solid but lightweight as they are made of an anticorrosion high-grade aluminum. The locking pins grant enough security for an operator being under a vehicle to perform any work safely. The saddle surface is enlarged to ensure a firm contact with the object being supported.
The stands are offered as a pair of tools with a total bearing capacity up to 6,000 lbs. The height range can be varied with a locking pin from 10 inches to 15 inches. Thus, they would be more suitable for minor servicing of the vehicles with smaller clearance.
Similarly to all products from this brand, these jack stands comply with the ASME standard requirements.
Features
- Bearing capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Weight (lbs): 10.2
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 30.7 x 10.6 x 7.9
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I would recommend these jack stands as some of the most reliable and sturdy tools which can be always within the reach due to their compactness and lightweight design.
Big Red T43004: Check the current price
2. PERFORMANCE TOOL W41022 | Best value
These are two another 6,000 lbs capacity jack stands with 11-1/4 inches to 16-3/4 inches height range.
They come in a sturdy ratchet design made of high-grade steel ensuring easy and fast height adjustment. Their wide bases give enough stability while holding up heavy loads.
In general this set of jack stands will successfully handle cars, light duty SUVs and trucks.
Features
- Bearing capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Weight (lbs): 15.9
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 8 x 10 x 14
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These jack stands have all necessary features to become user-friendly tools in your garage. They are durable and cost wise, indeed, thus proving their added value.
Performance Tool: Check the current price
3. TORIN T43002 | Best budget
This is another awesome set from Torin which admits of no doubt in its reliability and safety. These jack stands feature 6,000 lbs bearing capacity and the adjustable height ranges from 11-1/4 inches to 16-¾ inches, thus they will securely hold up compact cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks. This wide range is stipulated by a ratchet design with a multi-position lifting bar.
This set also features a large surface saddle for a tight contact with an object lifted. The stands are built from high-grade forged steel but still are very lightweight and thus portable and convenient in use.
Features
- Bearing capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Weight (lbs): 7.7
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 15 x 9 x 8
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This pair of jack stands is definitely one of the best you can get at a reasonable price on the current market. Besides, it demonstrates a great build quality and efficiency proved by the factory quality control.
Big Red TORIN T43002: Check the current price
FAQ?
How to use jack stands?
Usage of jack stands can be described by the following steps:
- First, you should use a floor jack to lift your vehicle
- After the vehicle has been raised at a desired height, place jack stands under the axis of the vehicle, one by one
- Lift the bars of the jack stands till obtaining a close contact between the surfaces of a saddle and a supported load
- Secure the bars by means of a locking part, depending on a design of your tools. Remove the floor jack
- After work completion, lower the bars and remove the jack stands, again one by one.
Don’t forget about safety precautions. The stability of the jack stands must be always ensured, avoiding tool weaving or its placement on uneven ground surfaces. When locking a bar, ensure that it is hold in place securely, and an arm or a pin is installed correctly with no risk of displacement or slippage.
How to put a car on 4 jack stands?
Most commonly you will need just two jack stands to change a tire or perform some minor service on your car, as in such cases only one end of a vehicle has to be lifted to get an adequate access. Thus, a pair of jack stands (usually come together) shall be arranged under the front or rear side of your vehicle in axial alignment.
However, for the large-scale mechanical jobs, four jack stands could be required to support the entire car. The majority of auto service centers are equipped with hydraulic elevators or electric lifts designed for any types of vehicles. But still it can happen that being a mechanic enthusiast you may need to raise the car to have enough space underneath. And this is the right time to get 4 jack stands which have to be arranged underneath, at, so called, jack points that are usually provided by the manufacturers.
The sequence of your actions will be the same as when dealing with two jack stands. First, you shall secure one side of an object with two jack stands, and then repeat this process for the other side. As soon as you have arranged at least two stands under your car and removed a floor jack, try to move a car and check stability to prevent it from crashing down.
