Quickjacks Learnings

[Mike.Bray]

Recently I saw Quickjacks had some 5000TL (https://quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tl/) lifts on their website under refurbished/open box for a nice discount so I bit the bullet and bought a set. I've been using them this week on a major fix to my car, I'll upgrade my build thread in a few days. But I thought I would share some learnings and first impressions of them.

First of all, being under a car on jackstands has always terrified me. Not sure why, I completely understand the physics and even though jackstands aren't very big I know they are more than capable of supporting a car. With the Quickjacks I'm much more comfortable being under my car.

They arrived in three boxes, the two Quickjacks and a third box with the hydraulic pump, hoses, and fittings. First thing I noticed was the UPS man giving me the finger after he dropped them off on my porch. When I picked them up to bring them in I understood why, these things are freaking heavy!

Got them to the garage with the help of a two wheeler and unpacked them. Packaging was very nice and there wasn't any damage. You have to assemble the fittings to the hoses so took care of that no problem. The hydraulic pump uses ATF so made a quick run to the local auto parts store.

Followed the instructions for first time use and purging the air out of the system. All was well.

They come with rubber blocks about 3" x 4" in two different heights. These can also be stacked. The Quickjacks with the short blocks fit under the frame of my MKIV - barely.

The big day came to try them out. Got them positioned under the MKIV and went to connect the hoses from the pump to the Quickjacks. You need Popeye-size forearms to connect these things. The instructions say after lowering them to hold the down button for several seconds to insure there isn't any residual pressure. I'm hoping this was the problem, otherwise I'm going to have to borrow my neighbor's kid that's on the high school wrestling team.

The big moment, lift the car. Push the button and slowly it rises! Easy peasy. There are two positions where the locks engage and it's easy to hear them click.

Spending the last few days on this project taught me to love my Quickjacks. If I need under the car just push the button. And they're capable of getting the car up to 24" off the ground, that would not be easy with a floor jack and jackstands. If you need to bring it back down to work on the top side again just a push of the button. This past week I've probably adjusted the height at least 15-20 times.

I also bought the wall hanger brackets (https://quickjack.com/wall-hangers-set/) for storage. just eat your Wheaties before hanging your Quickjacks on them.

All in all I'm very happy, only regret I have is not buying them earlier in the build.

[MB750]

Glad you like them. I rigged mine up on the wall similar, but they're not hanging. The floor supports them and I put some scrap lumber on the other end to rotate down to keep them from falling forward. I also left the hoses connected and just wrapped them around the back of my press.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=206292&d=1731274115

[rthomas98]

I had mine on the wall and had sense taken the wall mounts down. I just store them under the car. If I want to work on the car makes so I don't have to pick those things up too much.

[Waterman]

Mike,
Your earlier post convinced me to pull the trigger on the open box lower price. I do not really need as I have a 2 post lift which I am using a lot during the build. Since I am now retired bending over for long periods is not smart. Now that weather is turning colder in NY state I have moved the 85% complete Mk4 to a separate area in barn where I can heat. But no 2 post lift. My experience(1 day) with Quickjack has been good except for one issue, oil leaks. I used their supplied sealant and tightened down the SST tapered threads tight but about 50% leak, some more than others. I called tech support and they right away recommend teflon tape(the thick quality stuff) and hold in a vise so you can really torque down the threads. Seems to be working but still cleaning up the oil mess from 1st try. Yes I think they will work well to get the MK4 at a good working height.

[BornWestUSA]

I used the supplied thread sealant and allowed it to dry 24 hours before adding fluid.

No leaks. I think I read that tip somewhere or maybe Youtube?

So far I store them under the car... maybe when it is "finished" I'll move them.

[Mike.Bray]

I had mine on the wall and had sense taken the wall mounts down. I just store them under the car. If I want to work on the car makes so I don't have to pick those things up too much.

I will probably end up doing that after I finish with my update.

[Mike.Bray]

Mike,
Your earlier post convinced me to pull the trigger on the open box lower price. I do not really need as I have a 2 post lift which I am using a lot during the build. Since I am now retired bending over for long periods is not smart. Now that weather is turning colder in NY state I have moved the 85% complete Mk4 to a separate area in barn where I can heat. But no 2 post lift. My experience(1 day) with Quickjack has been good except for one issue, oil leaks. I used their supplied sealant and tightened down the SST tapered threads tight but about 50% leak, some more than others. I called tech support and they right away recommend teflon tape(the thick quality stuff) and hold in a vise so you can really torque down the threads. Seems to be working but still cleaning up the oil mess from 1st try. Yes I think they will work well to get the MK4 at a good working height.

Always happy to help spend your money:)

I looked at the thread sealant that was supplied and wasn't impressed so I used some ARP thread sealer that I had. And used a vice to get them good and tight. Waited 24 hours to test and was leak free which is unusual for me:)

[PMD24]

Teflon tape isn't a thread sealant, it's a lubricant. I know everyone uses it on all types of threaded applications for sealing but that's not correct. It was originally created for use on PVC threads which gall one another very easily. Apply the tape and the threads no longer bind and can be properly tightened. For sealing threads use an appropriate thread sealant. You can buy a small tube of yellow Rectorseal sealant at Lowes or Home Depot for a few bucks. It will say on the box and tube that it is suitable for petroleum-based products. In some cases using teflon tape on the threads topped with sealant allows for improved tightening. Tapered steel pipe threads is a good example. Threads on soft materials like copper and brass won't need sealants (but no harm in using some). Apply some tape to lube the threads and tighten away. Also using tape on stainless can help reduce galling which happens very easily with stainless on stainless.

Also, on cure time. Some sealants require cure time, others don't. Check the instructions.

If using teflon tape, follow three rules:
1) Stay back from the end of the threads to avoid slicing off a piece of tape at the end and having that piece lodge somewhere in the system where you don't want it.
2) Always wind in the same direction as the joint will be tightened. For example if holding the male thread in your left hand and the tape in your right, place the tape under the thread and wrap over (clockwise if looking at the thread from the end)
3) 2 wraps max. You aren't sealing the threads. You're using the tape to improve tightening.

[TMartinLVNV]

I really like my quikjacks. I also used them on my Maxima, when I had it plus, with the extra height blocks, on my Tacoma. I keep them on the floor under the Cobra. My single complaint is when working in the middle underside of the car. Doing transmission work or when removing the oil pan is a very tight squeeze to get your body in there.

Since mine are stored under the Cobra, I alway lift it up in the air when detailing or just wiping down the wheels.

[BornWestUSA]

I really like my quikjacks. I also used them on my Maxima, when I had it plus, with the extra height blocks, on my Tacoma. I keep them on the floor under the Cobra. My single complaint is when working in the middle underside of the car. Doing transmission work or when removing the oil pan is a very tight squeeze to get your body in there.

Since mine are stored under the Cobra, I alway lift it up in the air when detailing or just wiping down the wheels.

I've posted this before in another thread, build some wheel stands out of 2x4's, jack up the car on Quick Jacks, put the tires on wheel stands, lower the jacks and slide them out of the way. unlimited access to the trans/oil pan/center of car.

208479

[Flashsuperstar]

Love my QuickJacks. My only suggestion is to use jack stands with the QuickJacks, I place them under the front or the rear of the QuickJack when it is in the air for additional safety while it is in the air.

[TMartinLVNV]

That's not a bad idea at all. Cost effective too. I haven't had a need to do serious work in the middle of the underside of the car in a while. I figured that I would lower it onto the jackstands on the frame when the need arises again.

[Wingman06]

I really like mine too. Are they worth the money? IMO you can easily build the car on jack stands but these things are very convenient. I really love them. Not sure they are worth the money, but I do love them.