Do I need a 3-ton floor jack?

I have seen different members using different weight capacity floor jacks. Some use 2 tons, some use 2.5, and others use 3. If I just have a base model single cab, will a 2 ton jack suffice? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes. You'll be fine. Make sure it lifts about 18in at least if you have a stock truck. The 3 ton low profile was same price at Harbor Freight so I have the 3 ton. Worked perfect.

 

Better to have too strong a jack than too weak a jack. I believe I have a 2 1/2 ton floor jack. The jack going high enough is more of an issue with trucks.

 

My 2 ton works just fine

Remember your just lifting partial weight not the entire truck.

 

I use a craftsman 2 3/4 ton jack. It only lifts 15 inch so I need a 4x4 wood block to get tired off the ground.

 

The dirty little secret of floor jacks is that they rate them based on the weight of the vehicle that they need to lift half of.

So a "2 ton" jack expects to lift one axle of a "2 ton" vehicle - or ONE ton.

I don't remember exactly where in my floor jack research I found this out - they don't make it easy to find. But it explains why floor jacks always seem so much weaker than you expect them to be based on their "nominal" rating.



EDIT: This page says it:

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/toolsEquip/workshop/usingWork/usefloorjack.html

 

Very interesting finding my friend, so since I would want to support the weight of the entire vehicle in order to put both jack stands at once, I should go with at least a 4 ton floor jack? That seems slightly high for a Tacoma...

 

the 3 ton goes a few inches higher too so it is worth it IMO

 

A ton is 2000 lbs - so your regular cab doesn't weigh more than two tons total, unless it's heavily loaded (like mine is) with bumpers, armor, tools in the bed, etc..

EDIT - and no matter what, one half of the vehicle is going to be resting on either its tires, or the jackstands you've already placed. The only thing is that the front half of the truck is heavier than the back half.

Personally, I use a 2.5 ton jack, because it had the highest reach - the three ton jack didn't lift as high.

 

How would you jack the ENTIRE vehicle up at once. If two wheels are on the ground, you are only jacking up one end, about 50% of the total vehicle weight. With a DCSB at 4,000 pounds roughly, a 2 ton jack will work perfectly.

 

You will find that your time here on TW will be a lot less stressful if you learn to just let these things go...

 

No way, it's too much fun

I wanna see a whole truck on one floor jack!

 

I have a low profile 4 ton Craftsman. It's very wide and stable. I feel very comfortable lifting the truck with it, and honestly I wouldn't want anything less.

You could get away with a 2 ton if you wanted, but a bigger jack is likely to be more stable, and stability can be more important that lifting capacity.

Save a couple extra dimes and do it right the first time. If you buy a good jack, you'll have it for life.

Also, try to get one that has a rotating handle that lets you lower it without taking the handle off and fumbling with that little screw.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00950168000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

 

4 ton jack went on sale at harbor for 129. It works great

 

I got this and the jack is decent. 3 ton floor jack, 2 jack stands, and a creaper for $60. hard to beat.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-Ton-Garage-Jack-Kit-HD00101/204337248