Hi everyone.

What would you lot recommend as a safe capacity for a trolley jack (also known as a floor jack or a garage jack)?

The one in the picture has a 2.5 ton capacity. I also have jack stands to support the car once it is raised. So, will a 2.5 ton jack safely do the trick?

Thanks...

 

Should be more than adequate, an x308 weighs in at around 4,000lb, but you are never lifting all of it at once, more likely 1,000-1,500lbs at a time when you lift to remove wheels. If you were to jack up the whole front or rear, I doubt you would be lifting much over 2,000lbs. A 2.5 ton (5,000lb) jack shouldn't have any problem.

I have two Pittsburgh 1.5 ton (3,000lb) racing jacks from Harbor Freight, I think they are on sale right now at the bargain price of $59.99!

And, of course it goes without saying that you should never go under a vehicle supported by a hydraulic jack, as you state, they are for lifting, and jack stands should be used in conjunction.








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Those Pittsburgh jacks look very capable. I wish I had access to Harbor Freight. They have lots of great stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I rather suspected the 2.5 ton jack would do the trick, and have a reasonable safety margin to boot. Still, it is best to check with the more experienced members of the forum.

I actually thought the XJ8 weighed in at about 5,000 lbs. It certainly 'feels' heavier.

I want the trolley jack so I don't have to risk having the floors collapse when using the jack from the trunk (boot). Besides, I am basically lazy so the trolley jack seems like the logical choice.

Thanks again for the quick reply.

 

I have the exact Jack pictured in the coupon, and find it quite impressive. It's wider, lower, and more stable then the other style, which I also have. Couldn't you order it online from HarborFreight.com??? I know we can in the States. Just not sure about Canada.

Jack

 

As said, enough for our cars.

I use a 2.5T as well, never got the feeling it is insufficient.
Just be sure you buy a low body one, there is not an awful lot of space under our cars, the one on your pic seems rather high.

And an other plus1 on the use of jack stands of course.

 

I could order from Harbor Freight but the exchange rate, shipping, duties and taxes make it impractical. US$59 quickly becomes Can$170. Inflated shipping costs wipe out any savings. The jack pictured in my original post is Can$99. I can get it with only a 12 mile drive although I will likely take the 60 mile scenic route.

 

Hey Eric,

The jack is 5" high. That will easily fit under the front.

Eric, where did you get the led lights for the front and side marker lights on your '98? It looks very nice, by the way. It makes me want to upgrade my wheels and brakes.

 

Just that you know .

I installed the LED lights in the lower lip of the body kit I am using on this car, using them as DRL's.
The side marker lights (orange front, red rear) are standard on the US cars, and run parallel with the parking lights (first click of the light switch).
If you don't have those, you should have reflectors instead.
Those reflectors can be modified to side lights (drilling a hole and adding a gommet with a 5W bulb), or you just buy a set of 4, I see them quite often ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cators-157457/ ).

 

Hey Eric,

Thanks for your concern about the jack height. You are quite correct to point out the fact that it looks too large for an XJ8. The picture, without any background to compare the jack to, does look a bit deceiving. When I go to get it, I will be measuring it to be doubly sure.

After looking at the picture of your car again, I realize now that the leds are not installed in the side or front marker lights. I didn't realize that you had a body kit installed. I should have looked closer. I have to tell you, Jaguar missed the mark when they designed the Vanden Plas. They should have designed it to more closely resemble what you have done. It looks friggen' outstanding. Taking the picture on a runway is a nice touch.

 

I have a pretty low jack, but mine lacks initial space for the handle to move due to the relative high pivot post.
In that respect the one on the coupon does probably better than the one in your first post.
My body kit does not help there either of course .

 

So, I picked it up yesterday. It fits underneath with no trouble at all. Cad$114.99 all in. Not a bad deal.

Eric, I've searched online for XJ8 body kits and I can't find any. Perhaps they are just not being made anymore. I did a search on this forum too...same thing. I can find the mesh grille inserts. Several different suppliers actually, but no body kits. So, where did you buy your kit? I'm sure it was bloody expensive.

Edit: Nevermind, Eric. I found your post on the Glanz kit. I don't know why it didn't show in the search results earlier.