Right now my method of swapping on my race tires at autocrosses sucks - my front end is too low for my small floor jack, and using a normal wrench to take on and off the lugs is slow and imprecise torque-wise.

What do you guys use to swap wheels?

I can't find a jack that is made, say, specifically for lowered cars. Is there one you use that drops down extra-low? My car is only about 1/4" too low for the little 2-ton capacity jack I have.

For an impact wrench, this one for $20 on sale plugs into the cig. lighter and supposedly delivers good enough torque, but it's hard to tell if it's an on-off or variable switch - don't want to accidentally torque the lugs on super-hard. http://www.harborfreight.com/c...90672
I also have a 13-lb battery - should I be worried about the power usage from the cig. lighter?

I would like to buy a nice torque wrench but it's a lot of money - my friend was telling me about torque-specific sockets... any specific brands you use or places you get them from?

Keep in mind that this is all on a budget! Thanks.

 

The harbor freight aluminum jack is the lowest jack I know of (in it's price range)and it's the only one that fit's under my car when I put the 13s on.

I use a + shape tire iron for lugs. Easy to spin and will never fail on you and if you use aluminum lugs it won't chew them up. However, I have been tempted by the Snap-On impact wrench.

I have a Craftsman Torque wrench that I have used for the last 4 years without any problems and is still accurate. If I ever lose it I will probably buy another.

I assume the "torque-specific sockets" you talk about are "torque sticks" and as Tyson said they are complete junk.

 

actually, i meant this is junk
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For an impact wrench, this one for $20 on sale plugs into the cig. lighter and supposedly delivers good enough torque,</TD></TR></TABLE>

the "torque sticks" actually do work very well. but theyre not cheap, more useful for tire shops. ive tested it with my torque wrench and its very accurate. didnt believe it until i tested it.

my snap-on cordless 12V works fine for speedy lugnut changes. you have to break the nuts with a breaker first tho, but doesnt deliver enough torque to over torque the nuts, so you need the torque wrench anyway.

ive actually bought the + combo wrench, based on seeing geratol (make that RineRacing now) using it. its simple and works well, and dont have to mess with finding the right socket.

 

my torin jack's min saddle ht. is just low enough to get to my front tow hook, though it's alot deeper on a prelude than it is on an a DC2 or civic. The jack is solid, even if it's "lightweight" it's kinda heavy, but as far as what it's supposed to do, it does it well.

I am the proud owner of a 19.2V Harbor Freight Cordless Impact wrench, that is undoubtedly my fav tool in the shed. 220 ft-lbs of torque, decent battery life, and best of all, ~100 bucks. This thing does lugs no problem, axle bolts no sweat, and i've heard can do crank pulley bolts as well. I've had it for about a year and it's awesome.

I'm using a $20 tq wrench from harbor freight that works well enough, i'm not sure if it's still calibrated and totally accurate, but up to this point it's been fine.

You should be able to get all 3 of these items for ~200 bucks. (jack 80, impact 119, tq wrench 20)

 

For Craftsman Club Card members
The all aluminum 2 ton jack will be on sale from this sunday to Dec 11 for $152.99

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For Craftsman Club Card members
The all aluminum 2 ton jack will be on sale from this sunday to Dec 11 for $152.99</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh my...see you sunday

 

yeah, i will be buying one for myself sometime during the sale

Its the lowest price I've seen so far

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah, i will be buying one for myself sometime during the sale

Its the lowest price I've seen so far</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep.. i think i'm going to pick it up for track use as well..

&lt;-- loves his craftsmen club card..

 

I break the lug nuts loose with a breaker bar, then use a cordless drill (with a 3/8" drive & socket) to spin them out. For tightening, I use the drill again and then tighten to spec with a torque wrench.

Breaking lug nuts loose with a breaker bar or tightening them with a torque wrench is a breeze. However, spinning them on the studs is most time consuming. It's been working very well with a cordless drill.

 

I have used half a dozen different types of aluminum jacks

I think the harbor frieght is a piece of ****

The Craftsman all aluminum is the best from what ive used
Has a nice little magnictized tray to hold your lug nuts

The steel/aluminum from craftsman is cheaper, but its not light at all, it weights exactly the same as my 3 ton SUV jack, and steel/alum is only 1.5 ton

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mstewar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

&lt;-- loves his craftsmen club card.. </TD></TR></TABLE>


my local Sears loves My club card

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by White98LS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What do you guys use to swap wheels?

I can't find a jack that is made, say, specifically for lowered cars. Is there one you use that drops down extra-low? My car is only about 1/4" too low for the little 2-ton capacity jack I have.</TD></TR></TABLE>
HARBOR FREIGHT/PEPBOYS aluminum jack. i have been using it at the track and at home for a year or so and i havent had any problems with it. my car is prity darn low and this jack gets under it no problem w/o the use of wood. the craftsman all aluminum is also nice. i would have bought it but they were out of stock and my currant jack at the time crapped out. i actually want my boss to pick one up for the shop. would make getting lowered, body kit cars on the lift.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by White98LS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would like to buy a nice torque wrench but it's a lot of money - my friend was telling me about torque-specific sockets... any specific brands you use or places you get them from?

Keep in mind that this is all on a budget! Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

craftsman clicker the only reason i had to buy another one was because i lost the first one :hamerhead:


as for that harbor freight cigarette lighter impact wrench, its ealy for EMERGENCY USE. it will probably last you one season. then it will just stop working. i had one a few years back and it lasted me just under a full season. but i do alot of events.

-spenc

 

Oh boy!!! another jack thread.

Search the forum for "jack"... there's plenty of information. And the cigarette lighter wrenches are crap, don't waste your money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dan GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I think the harbor frieght is a piece of ****
</TD></TR></TABLE>

at least i dont need wood to get my car in the air

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lo-Buck EF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

at least i dont need wood to get my car in the air</TD></TR></TABLE>

My current jack fits under my car without any sort of ramps

your car is just slammed, cuz your a stunna

 

damn right im a stunna. stunna to the max. get rolled

-spenc

 

The Craftsman 3000 lb aluminum jack was on sale 2 weeks ago for $99, join craftsman club and you'll get the sale notices. I don't see the need for a 4000 lb with any car. 3000lb version is a little lighter too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Craftsman 3000 lb aluminum jack was on sale 2 weeks ago for $99, join craftsman club and you'll get the sale notices. I don't see the need for a 4000 lb with any car. 3000lb version is a little lighter too.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i believe that was teh aluminum/steel one.

 

White98LS, you've probably figured out that you can use some little shims of wood under the front tires to get that extra 1/4" while you look for a jack. Some people have taken the wheels off their jacks or found smaller ones to put on.

I would say check out Harbor Freight for one of their Pittsburgh torque wrenches. Its a decent budget wrench as long as you dont mank on it and use it as a breaker.

As for the Impact Wrenches, I dont think its needed for lugs. You can pay alot less for a + bar and get the lugs off quickly, and it looks cool when you spin it around.

So with a pittsburgh wrench and a + bar, you can save some money for a better jack.

 

specs show the 1.5ton (3000lb) jack is actually heavier. i kinda like the lug tray and the handle in the back of the 2ton one by the looks of it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Craftsman 3000 lb aluminum jack was on sale 2 weeks ago for $99, join craftsman club and you'll get the sale notices. I don't see the need for a 4000 lb with any car. 3000lb version is a little lighter too.</TD></TR></TABLE>


3000 lbs jack weighs 55.4 lbs.
4000 lbs jack weighs 44.0 lbs.

I'd rather have a jack that is a lot more than I need as far as lift capability

 

When I didn't have my HF jack I just pulled it up on some 2x4s which lifted the car up enough to slide my 2 ton jack under. I used a torque wrench to break all the lugs and then jack the car up. Used a Black & Decker cordless drill to take off the lugs. Switch the tires/wheels and put the lugs on by hand then used the cordless again.

Now I have a HF jack and do all the above without the 2x4s. And I know HF has a sale on their cordless impact wrenches which would take out one more step.

 

how do i get a craftsman club card?

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/crafts...SEARS

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hatch2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">White98LS, you've probably figured out that you can use some little shims of wood under the front tires to get that extra 1/4" while you look for a jack. Some people have taken the wheels off their jacks or found smaller ones to put on.

I would say check out Harbor Freight for one of their Pittsburgh torque wrenches. Its a decent budget wrench as long as you dont mank on it and use it as a breaker.

As for the Impact Wrenches, I dont think its needed for lugs. You can pay alot less for a + bar and get the lugs off quickly, and it looks cool when you spin it around.

So with a pittsburgh wrench and a + bar, you can save some money for a better jack.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Great ideas ^^^. Thanks for all the input guys, very very helpful.

Since I am pretty strapped for cash, I think my existing jack with the wheels taken off (good idea!!), a + bar, and a torque stick will do for now. 6 freaking years from now when I'm out of college and grad school I'll buy the nice stuff, although I do want to save up for a good torque wrench as well. Thanks everyone.