x2 on this.

All you need to do is break past the idea that buying a lift for yourself is a crazy move.

Best thing ive ever done, after getting hosed on some work vehicle repairs, I was sick of paying through the nose, so I decided I was going to do most of my own maintenance instead.

Within a week, I had bought a 12k two post out of a closing auto shop for 700 bucks, cost me another 500 to have it put up by an insured team, and a few hundred to transport it down, still, less than 2k and I have a 2 post in my workspace behind a bunch of appliances that can lift a full size pickup.

Ive saved more than that in maintenance costs I can do myself now in the 2.5 years ive had it, so its been a good investment. The only downside, is if you have a project car, it starts to live on the lift.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

No sweat jb, just raise the project car and park your daily driver underneath.

This is why I have systematically sold all my 1-3 ton jacks except for the 5 tonners and the 12 ton air over hydraulic. The smaller jacks are all aluminum so old guys like me do not get a coronary lifting them into the truck

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Where exactly do you think all these Jack are being produced lately?

Even the Sears Floor jacks are made in China, look on the box they come in.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

You don`t need no wimpy jacks, when a big 4x4 will do just fine.

Safety first. Man crushed while working on his car

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I was searching for the article I mentioned above of the jack slipping and falling on the guy. there is a ton of info on this happening on the following thread. This post in the thread shows the Pin type of jack Stand which I believe is the safer of the two type of jacks. the ratchet type are the only one`s that seem to be sole.

The Pin type stand has a flat base instead of the 3 or four legs most have and looks much sturdier.

Man Crushed working on car


Man Crushed working on car


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I have to admit that I have a pair of 2-1/2 ton ratchet stands that I picked up from NAPA a few years back for about $80... Far more than the Harbor Freight stands cost even today. I use them almost exclusively when I had to be under a car. Why? Well, the warning labels aren't in Engrish, and they were made in Taiwan. I just trust Taiwan steel more than China steel, and I didn't want to be the guy that dies under a car when a stand that has "Al ways whear saftedy glassses" printed on it lets go and gets me crushed.

__________________
- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

For a lift jack, Arcan. Yes, it weighs nearly 100 lbs but for the money, it's hard to beat and close to bulletproof. I also work in gravel and sandy soil a lot so a good sheet of 3/4"x2'x2' plywood does the trick for jacking.

For jack stands, I currently use Torin but as expected, they tend to sink in the sandy soil. However, I have had my eye on these: Hein-Werner Jack Stands — 3-Ton Capacity, 2-Pk., Model# HW93503 | Jack Stands| Northern Tool + Equipment They have a small tab enclosing the bottom of the leg to slow down the "sinking". Made in the U.S.A. to boot. These are nice but twice the price: ESCO Jack Stand — 3-Ton Capacity, Model# 10498 | Jack Stands| Northern Tool + Equipment

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I looked at aluminum jacks of many flavors but they dont inspire much faith unless your price budget is $250+. I believe my current weighs about 70-80# which isnt light but has two easy lift points. Some things i would rather be heavy, lifting and rigging fall into that category.

__________________
1991 300d 2.5 Turbo OM602

Thanks guys. Getting a little old to crawl under the car

Talk about Aleee I can't get down,because I need help getting up.Everything hurts.Going to the bathroom the first thing in the morning kills me.I need a bed pan.Until my pain meds take hold.Getting old is not for sissy's

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I'm another one who has used a Harbor Freight floor jack for about 12 years with good results. I use auto-parts store ratchet jack stands rated for about 5000 lbs, I figure even if they're not really up to that kind of weight they should be plenty strong enough to hold up a corner of any of my cars.

When I take a wheel off to go under the car, I put the whole wheel under the car too at a spot the car could theoretically rest on if the jack fails. Once I get the car sitting on the jack stand, I put the floor jack back on somewhere nearby so it can support the car if the jack stand fails.

__________________
Charlie

---------------------------
'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

While it's probably better than I need, the Arcan ALJ3T looks like a good choice....$207. About the last thing in the world where I'd be concerned about saving money. And maybe some Torin stands...or maybe not...some bad reviews.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Now what i would love to see is a ratchet lock integrated into the side of a floor jack. Seems simple enough to engineer and no repositioning needed.

__________________
1991 300d 2.5 Turbo OM602

Have any pictures? How thick of plywood? Is plywood better than a solid plank?

Have pictures? Did you make them yourself? Or have a source? I like this idea!

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)