2 Ton vs 3 Ton Hydraulic Jack? Lifting (Or Not) My Lexus IS300 By The Front Center Lift Point

My 2 ton jack lifts 1 wheel with no problem. David was saying that I need to use the center jack point. I've never been able to figure out how to get the car lifted from the center jack point.
When I put my Jack underneath here it doesn't lift it up all the way. It’s rated for 4,000 lbs or 2 tons and it lifts, just not to the height I need. The IS is 3,400 lbs. I decided to go pick up a second racing Jack with the low profile so that it fits underneath my IS300.
We headed over to Harbor Freight and I found this one. It's not the cheapest one but it's not the most expensive either .
Looks like this jack is working pretty good. It's actually lifting up the front end of the car so I can put both jack stands from underneath. So that's the difference between the 2 ton and a 3 ton jack. For my car it takes a 3 ton jack stand to lift the car from the center list points. And a 2 ton jack only lifts one quarter of the car at a time.
A 2 ton Jack is for a 1 wheel lift
A 3 ton jack is for a 2 wheel list
Set the parking brake
Chock opposite wheels
Use Jack Stands
Be Safe
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Jack Story
00:41 - Jack Points
01:19 - Chock Wheels
01:45 - 2 Ton Center Point Lift
02:48 - 2 Ton Jack Height
03:02 - Going To Harbor Freight
03:43 - 3 Ton Jack Unboxing
04:27 - 3 Ton Lift On Center Lift
05:11 - 3 Ton Jack Height Under Load
06:11 - End Roll
Music: www.bensound.com

[@rasmadrak]

Unless the car weighs more than 2 ton, it should have worked fine. More likely the lifting height was different on the new jack? For my car I need a SUV jack since a regular one barely gets the wheels of the ground.

[@Squisheyy]

My sportcross is 3,410 with weight distribution on the front. I can lift smaller, lighter cars from a center jack point with a 2 ton, I think it's interesting that the 2 ton lifts it but doesn't get it high enough to get the stands under it. My 98 4 runner is 3,440 with 50/50 distribution. I think that's crazy.

[@rasmadrak]

@@Squisheyy Then it makes perfect sense. :)
I can't remember the exact numbers at the moment, but lifting a corner is a fraction of the weight while lifting an entire side brings that number closer to the full weight.
But to be safe - the jack should be able to lift the entire weight, or close to, of the car. This is due to the strain on the jack valve(s) otherwise. 3t jack for a 3.5t car is perfectly safe to lift an axle at a time with. :)

[@Squisheyy]

@@rasmadrak The Harbor Freight Pittsburg series hydraulic valves aren't very good. Overrated and under perform. But they are light, easy to move around and cheap. My guess is a Hydraulic rated double the lift weight is best for these. Scissor jacks and bottle jacks and ratchet jacks are the best, they just don't fit easily under a low profile car. I use a bottle or ratchet on my Dad's Suburban.

[@vsh510]

Yeh definitely should have worked I use a smaller jack then that and it’s gets my suburban up in the air no problem

[@Squisheyy]

Who knew jacking up a car from the center point was going to be such an ordeal.

[@shyrowstand]

This helped me make a decision on my next jack. BTW, you need a front end alignment badly. That front passenger tire tread is bald on the side of the car and can blow soon from having negative camber.

[@Squisheyy]

Wow, thanks for mentioning, that's a good catch. I think I'm going to order some tires and setup an appointment.

[@Thefutureisloth]

That’s a common problems with IS300s. I believe it’s the way they designed them. I’ve had one for close to 10 years now and even with multiple alignments it still happens.

[@Squisheyy]

@@Thefutureisloth I got my alignment. Lower Control arms need to be replaced .

[@uyou2tube]

wagons are sooo sick. love your car

[@Squisheyy]

Thank you, she’s my baby for sure.

[@YolColt]

Thanks for the info

[@Squisheyy]

Seriously hope it helps. I never thought of it until it happened.

[@bobit8742]

it is strong enough to lift it up, you need to bleed the jack so it won’t sag. I used 1.5 ton aluminum jack and it lift up the front end of my 2015 lexus is250

[@Squisheyy]

I'll give it a try

[@eyeonart6865]

Chock goes in back of back wheel

[@Squisheyy]

I forget. I suppose as long as it doesn't roll.

[@UPdan]

Scissors jack with drill to raise it.

[@Squisheyy]

Good idea, I think there is one in the trunk

[@greengamerguy623]

that repeating high pitched sound in the background never stopping is horrible why is it there?

[@Squisheyy]

bad mic. I'm not using it anymore.