What floor jack?

[modoc_333]

What floor jack and jack stands would you suggest for working on and under my 71 Ghia?

[sputnick60]

Assuming you have a level and flat surface.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jac...;current=1
Avoid the cheaper ones.
Nicholas
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'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Era Vulgaris]

I prefer jack stands like this, which have the securing pin and also no lever arm.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-Ton-Car-Jack-Stands-HPL4124-ZD/315635318

The securing pin is a must. But I prefer the ones without lever arms because I caught my t-shirt sleeve on a lever arm jackstand once getting out from under a car. Thankfully I realized it before I got too far, but it could've been disastrous.

For the jack, I like low profile aluminum floor jacks. A 1.5 ton jack like this is fine for a Ghia. The heaviest late Ghias weigh a hair over a ton, and early Ghias weigh less than a ton, and you're only ever lifting half the car at once.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jac...64545.html
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[modoc_333]

[jpajya]

I see you're only looking for a jack now, but I'll offer the following for anyone who has the same question you originally posed.

To expand on your question, when deciding on a jack and jack stands, consider the following:
- are these only for your Ghia, or do you want flexibility for other vehicles?
- is your Ghia lowered, or do you think you might want to lower it at some point?
For any lowered car, you’ll want a low-profile jack.

For most things on your Ghia, I think you can get by with 2-ton stands, but I definitely feel more secure when working with the 3-ton stands.
As for a jack, I’ve gotten by with a 2-ton Craftsman jack (3.75” to 18.5” lift range) and that has been more than sufficient for my ’70 Ghia. However, I am also maintaining a mix of Japanese and German SUVs and sedans for my family, and for the SUV’s, I’d prefer closer to 20” lift height, so I am looking for a jack with more range.

Something else to consider in addition to jack stands, and I’ve only done this in the last year, but REALLY like them, is Race Ramps “Stackable Wheel Cribs.” Not the ramps you drive up on, but solid foam blocks that you put under each tire once you raise the car with the jack. They are QUITE pricey, but I am much more comfortable working underneath the car with these than I am with jack stands. I use a set of the two-piece 12” cribs, which is actually 4 separate 6” high blocks (so, enough for one 6" block under each wheel). Raising the Ghia (or any vehicle) 6” gives me plenty of room to work and I never have a second thought about wrenching away. Surprisingly light weight but sturdy.
They also have two-piece 10” cribs (4 x 5” high blocks.) I got mine at etrailer.com for around $250.
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John
'70 Ghia convertible