What do you use to jack up your Ridgeline for maintenance?

speedlever · Mar 19, 2012

I bought that about 10 or 12 years ago from HF. I don't see that model any more. It's a 2 1/2 ton jack with a lift range of 5 3/4 to 31 5/8. It has more than paid for itself over the years.

Wish they still sold them. Here's what it looks like:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pors...arts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/273706-harbor-freight-long-frame-jack.html

JadedSoulX · Mar 19, 2012

There's a 3 ton one on sale for $89.

speedlever · Mar 19, 2012

That might work. The lifting range is 5 to 18 1/4. But I'm not sure if that's tall enough, working with the central jack points. I've never bothered to check what the minimum lifting requirement it. It may be more than you think.

This one has a lifting range to 20 inches. Personally, I'd like a bit more than that. But again, I'm not sure what the minimum lift is needed to get the tires off the ground. If I remember, I'll measure it next time I lift mine (which may be later this week if my bleeder adapter comes in so I can purge my brake lines with fresh fluid).

Here's one that lifts to 23 3/4 for $130.

rollinhonda · Mar 19, 2012

I believe from previous topics it was right around 18". I've got a 3 Ton Craftsman, good for 21". It is s-l-o-w but steady.

speedlever · Mar 19, 2012

Here's what I've found. If you're going to put the RL up on 4 jackstands, you need to get the wheels more than just clearing the ground. Else you'll find that you're back on the wheels when you lift the other end to put the last two j/s in place.

And regarding jackstands, I don't care to work with them when they are at their max extension. That strikes me as pushing the limits a bit and may not be that safe. I like to see the j/s stay well within the lifting range, as my 6T units do (as depicted above). Wish I'd not spent the money on the yellow 4T units first as they don't have a comfy lifting range for me. For about the same price, I could have another set of the 6T units.

Come to think of it, I might try to sell those 4T units on Craigslist. I might be able to get another set of 6T j/s without spending much more $$.

Rickman · Mar 19, 2012

Like most people here, I've got the 3-ton jack and was able to switch out my 4 winter tires yesterday in 1/2 hour, which I keep in the garage.

For on road emergency's, I threw in a 2x6 piece of lumber in the trunk to give the OEM jack a little more height, but thankfully haven't had to try it yet to confirm if it actually works!

P.S. I like the AAA idea, but I am too cheap & too stubbern to give it a try!

zroger73 · Mar 19, 2012

Yikes. Those front and rear center jacking brackets don't appear substantial enough to support the vehicle's weight, but I guess they are since Honda designed them for that purpose. I've been leery of "factory-recommended" jacking points since folding a jacking point on my Regal.

Fortunately, I can easily fit under the Ridgeline for oil, oil filter, and VTM-4 fluid changes without raising the truck. I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle that was as easy and convenient to change the oil and filter on. I can have the oil and filter changed before the dealer can get it up in the air using their lift - and that's no exaggeration.

speedlever · Mar 19, 2012

No worries on the center jack points. I've used them numerous times on both the RL and the Pilot. They are substantial.

What I would like is to see you rotate the tires without jacking it up.

Unless you're this good:

1154 · Mar 19, 2012

Speedlever, that video was insane. I'm waiting for you to try this out on your RL.

laserguy · Mar 19, 2012

several years ago, I got an Arcan professional jack at costco for $79.00, it works great although it is heavy and more than I need, a 2 ton should do the trick maybe I am wrong.

I noticed it leaked oil and sometimes it would raise when not lifting, in other words sometimes it was useless even after I checked everything and did all I could to make it work and nothing, but sometimes it works like there is nothing wrong. I am 100% it is not me or an operator error.

What could be the issue with this erratic problem? any one want to take a shot at this?

Actually that HF jack listed above is like 1/3 to 1/2 smaller than my arcan even though my arcan is also a 3 ton jack

rollinhonda · Mar 19, 2012

Maybe low on oil? They can be topped off. 2 ton should be minimum, for reserve. But should be plenty. We are talking about 80+% of the weight of the truck, and you will probably only be lifting 1 ton when jacking an end. Certainly less for a corner.
They all leak a little over time. Should be just a little seeping. But if you are seeing drops on a regular basis I would check for anything loose, or just change it out. never repaired one...maybe someone has.

laserguy · Mar 19, 2012

Thanks Rollin lately it has been working fine, it does it just when I need it the most and it kills me, no leaks lately either. Very strange.

carsareart · Mar 21, 2012

I purchased my jack yesterday. I bought a ARCAN XL 3.5, 3 1/2 ton low profile jack. It goes from 3.5 inches to 21 3/8. It was at Northern tool for 159.99. I like the lift range because my both of my sons cars are lowered. I used it today to rotate my tires and check my brakes on the ridgeline. Worked like a charm. So far so good.
Northern tool item number 144236-1206 or page 242 of my catalog.

Dom · Mar 21, 2012

Any recommendation for Jack Stands? For saftey, after raising the vehicle, you use 2 Jack Stands in case the Floor Jack "gives up". Correct?

rollinhonda · Mar 21, 2012

A jack is ONLY to raise and lower the car, and handy for changing tires. But for any real work and definitely for crawling under the vehicle, jack stands or ramps are a necessity.
I have a pair of Craftsman. Most are similar, but they do come in different sizes. As mentioned previously, make sure they are large enough that you don't need to use them at their full extension position.

speedlever · Mar 21, 2012

Dom said:
Any recommendation for Jack Stands? For saftey, after raising the vehicle, you use 2 Jack Stands in case the Floor Jack "gives up". Correct?

I suggest this as a reasonable solution:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305227_200305227

If I sell my 4t units, I'll buy another pair of these. With 4 placed at the 4 side jack points, you can easily and safely do tire rotations and brake jobs, etc. The floor jack is merely used to lift high enough to put the j/s in place.

HF has some similar 6t units for the same price, but they lack the double locking feature of the NT units.

Note: I suggest these not because of the 6t rating, but the lifting range to get the wheels off the ground while using only about 1/2 the max extension.

rollinhonda · Mar 21, 2012

speedlever said:
Note: I suggest these not because of the 6t rating, but the lifting range to get the wheels off the ground while using only about 1/2 the max extension.

I like it! Fair price too.

speedlever · Mar 21, 2012

We have a NT store that's local. No shipping. Yikes. $40. They are heavy though.

rollinhonda · Mar 21, 2012

speedlever said:
We have a NT store that's local. No shipping. Yikes. $40. They are heavy though.

Actually, $48 is not a bad price for what appears to be good quality. They don't have a locking pin.. most with lockers are $60+ w/shipping. That puts the Northern Tool one as the best bet. About 66 for shipping to my place.

I'm deleting the link. .it now shows a pair for $106!!!

henni · Dec 24, 2019

Necroposting:

Would anyone have the image showing the FRONT center lift point -- I see a blank reference to tinypic but not the actual image ?

What do you use to jack up your Ridgeline for maintenance?

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