Damn Jap Jack...

[Krooser]

Soooo...

Back in 1987 I was headed to do some dirt track racing with my modified during Speed Week.

I left home with a spare engine, transmission, rear gears, suspension parts ... damn near everything except a floor jack.

No Horrible Freight stores back then. I couldn't afford a Hein Werner or other brand name jack so I opted to buy from Sears.

Remember them?

During the 1200+ mile run to Florida I must have stopped at a dozen stores from Milwaukee to Hotlanta.

Nada.

Then, like a beacon in the night, the lights of a shopping mall ( again... remember them?) appeared out of the mist of a rainy Ocala, FL haze.

Sure enough I walked into tool heaven and found a blue 2 ton Sears jack, on sale, for $89.00 US.

I didn't think I was strong enough to lift 2 tons but me and my pit guy easily carted it out to my massively overloaded B250 van.

Now, just 38 years later, it is stuck under my F350!

Won't release to allow it to lower.

POS!!!

I knew it was junk after having to add oil after only 25 years or so.

I'm headed over to Sears right now for a refund.

 

[toolmanmike]

I'm headed over to Sears right now for a refund.

View attachment 1852831

View attachment 1852832

 

[1967coronet]

Soooo...

Back in 1987 I was headed to do some dirt track racing with my modified during Speed Week.

I left home with a spare engine, transmission, rear gears, suspension parts ... damn near everything except a floor jack.

No Horrible Freight stores back then. I couldn't afford a Hein Werner or other brand name jack so I opted to buy from Sears.

Remember them?

During the 1200+ mile run to Florida I must have stopped at a dozen stores from Milwaukee to Hotlanta.

Nada.

Then, like a beacon in the night, the lights of a shopping mall ( again... remember them?) appeared out of the mist of a rainy Ocala, FL haze.

Sure enough I walked into tool heaven and found a blue 2 ton Sears jack, on sale, for $89.00 US.

I didn't think I was strong enough to lift 2 tons but me and my pit guy easily carted it out to my massively overloaded B250 van.

Now, just 38 years later, it is stuck under my F350!

Won't release to allow it to lower.

POS!!!

I knew it was junk after having to add oil after only 25 years or so.

I'm headed over to Sears right now for a refund.

View attachment 1852831

View attachment 1852832

I would send them a complaint letter also.

 

[#41]

From the color of the jack and timeline, I remember those. My buddy still has one.

 

[T2R9]

About the same I bought mine. Still going but sure seems a lot heavier these days!

 

[moparwacko]

Reminded me of my recent jack adventure.
My Craftsman started leaking down - after 25+ years so it was time to replace it. I rebuilt it once, but kits are no longer available.
Off to the local HF palace after stopping at NAPA and seeing the identical one for almost $200 more. Anyway, I purchased the HF one and the man bun cashier asks "would you like some help with that Sir? I played along and said sure. He then calls for assistance, and 2- 20 something girls show up. I declined, I'm not that bad off.


BTW, it is freaking heavy.

 

[Don Frelier]

The teeth get worn down between the shaft and the cylinder valve.
Reach in there with a long driver and bump the cylinder release teeth.
Just don't be beneath it when you do it.

 

[Dave6T4]

I would send them a complaint letter also.

That is called, "The Canadian Response".

 

[RemCharger]

That is called, "The Canadian Response".

But STRONGLY WORDED

 

[MarPar]

That is called, "The Canadian Response".

 

[Dave6T4]

But STRONGLY WORDED

But not offensive.

 

[Cranky]

Had the same jack....didn't know it was from China....wait, it was from Taiwan which is WAY better than Mainland China made crap and it lasted for many years!!! F China!!!

 

[RemCharger]

But not offensive.

thank you.

 

[khryslerkid]

I had to look at the date on your post! Ya got me

 

[gtxdana]

I have that same jack that I bought in the 80's. Made in Japan according to the label. Still works well and I've done zero maintenance on it.

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

Soooo...

Back in 1987 I was headed to do some dirt track racing with my modified during Speed Week.

I left home with a spare engine, transmission, rear gears, suspension parts ... damn near everything except a floor jack.

No Horrible Freight stores back then. I couldn't afford a Hein Werner or other brand name jack so I opted to buy from Sears.

Remember them?

During the 1200+ mile run to Florida I must have stopped at a dozen stores from Milwaukee to Hotlanta.

Nada.

Then, like a beacon in the night, the lights of a shopping mall ( again... remember them?) appeared out of the mist of a rainy Ocala, FL haze.

Sure enough I walked into tool heaven and found a blue 2 ton Sears jack, on sale, for $89.00 US.

I didn't think I was strong enough to lift 2 tons but me and my pit guy easily carted it out to my massively overloaded B250 van.

Now, just 38 years later, it is stuck under my F350!

Won't release to allow it to lower.

POS!!!

I knew it was junk after having to add oil after only 25 years or so.

I'm headed over to Sears right now for a refund.

View attachment 1852831

View attachment 1852832

Sears still in business? Nothing in our Mall or any jacks or such just tools at stores like 100 piece socket sets

 

[Ron H]

About 2-years ago my Sears jack finally got sick. It was my dad’s, he must have bought in the mid-to-late 60’s. I remember my older brother using it and when I started working on cars, used it. I bought a new one at HF and works fine. I like the quick-lift feature. I won’t be around to see it age anywhere near the Sears…if it stays healthy.

Speaking of Sears, my garage door opener is Sears, 1/2HP, acme-thread style. It is the one that gets used the most having newer ones for the new garage. I put it in – in ’97. I got it from my dad when my folks moved out of their house in 1984. I put it in my first house that year taking it along when the new house was built. Figure it is from the mid-70’s. It still works. It will be a sad day when it dies of old age…if I don’t before.