I have this HF jack:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34271

It gets the various beasties up far enough for me to maneuver around
underneath so it ought to work for anybody... It's almost ten years old, and
it's started to develop a slow leak, but I figure in this environment that
probably isn't too bad- put another way, every floor jack I've had has gone
out earlier than this one.
I generally use the floor jack to get the vehicle on the stands and use
bottle jacks to support engines/trannys or whatever once it's up there so it
hasn't been a real issue yet.

However that does bring up the question of rebuilding the piston at some
point; can you get kits, how much, etc. Something to think about when
buying.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "William B" <dieselsyncro@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 1:15 PM
Subject: which jack to buy

I'm trying to figure out the best jack to buy.  I'm guessing either harbor
frieght or sears.  I have a 10 ton bottle jack, but that just doesn't cut it
for the syncro.  Do i go with a long frame?  how about max height?  3 tons?

There a 2.5 ton long frame, with a lift range up to 31 inches at HF.  which
seems to fit the bill, but is it too much jack?

I have an ATV jack, bottle, factory, and jack stands, i just need a good all
around jack for the vanagon.