Transmission Jack" recommendation for R&R fuel & sewer tanks

Stu Rasmussen

Stu Rasmussen

New member
Jan 29, 2019
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I will shortly be embarking on R&R two fuel tanks to update the fule lines and replace a busted black tank on my 23' Birchaven.

I will have access to a vehicle lift (currently being assembled in my back yard - Woo Hoo!) to get her up in the air to work on it and I think a
transmission lift (New Tool!!!) would be just dandy for these tasks and saving my aching back.

I want something that goes low enough for easy lifting height to put 'stuff' onto and goes high enough to get to about 6 feet, with a load weight
range 500 pounds or better.

Perusing the Interwebs there seem to be a plethora of uncommonly similar lifts in the roughly $200 range, the major variant being color: Red or Blue.
Some claim to be 2-stage at that price, others are a single stage lift. I think 2-stage would get lower and higher but I am leery at that price point.
(The Freight Harbor 2-stage is $600.)

This is a Red 1-stage one https://www.harborfreight.com/1100-lb-high-lift-transmission-jack-33615.html

Does anyone have one of these things the recommend and a reliable vendor??

Thanks in advance,

Stu
--
Stu Rasmussen W7QJ
Silverton, OR
'77 Birchaven
 
Looks a little cheaper at Norther Tool vs HF right now... if you have one nearby... $189

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641733_200641733

For what it's worth, I have a 2 stage I bought from Northern Tool about 10 or 12 or so years ago and I love it... No real problems, easy to use. Jacks
up fast. I'm just a car hobbyist, btw, but I've never regretted the extra $$ on the initial purchase over the single. THat being said, I've never
tried the single stage other than in the store, but they seem to be slow as heck, unless you can find an air powered one or something similar.

The one I have looks like this one, but who knows if it has internal changes or whatever from when I bought it.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641383_200641383

It's a beast, too. I've used it to lift up one end of a car to re-position the lift arms while the car remains in the air on more than one
occasion... (This sounds more dangerous than it is, btw, the arms always remain under the car, safety dogs engaged, if it were to come down
unexpectedly... and I only move one arm at a time) The ram seems to have no trouble doing it.

The only thing I can think of that would be a negative, is it does have a fairly large footprint, (but I prefer the stability that offers) and it must
weigh a metric $hit-ton... I have never tried to move it anywhere but rolling it around my shop, and I don't ever really want to.

Also FWIW, I never use the chain system or whatever to secure the trans or diff, etc. I find using ratchet straps to be much more secure and easy...

Now, in the last year or so it started to leak a little out the top seal, but it still works fine and I have not had to add oil or anything. I have
not looked into sourcing the seal yet, so I guess we'll see how that goes.
--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
Northern free shipping.

> Looks a little cheaper at Norther Tool vs HF right now... if you have one nearby... $189
>
> https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641733_200641733
>
> For what it's worth, I have a 2 stage I bought from Northern Tool about 10 or 12 or so years ago and I love it... No real problems, easy to use.
> Jacks up fast. I'm just a car hobbyist, btw, but I've never regretted the extra $$ on the initial purchase over the single. THat being said, I've
> never tried the single stage other than in the store, but they seem to be slow as heck, unless you can find an air powered one or something
> similar.
>
> The one I have looks like this one, but who knows if it has internal changes or whatever from when I bought it.
>
> https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641383_200641383
>
> It's a beast, too. I've used it to lift up one end of a car to re-position the lift arms while the car remains in the air on more than one
> occasion... (This sounds more dangerous than it is, btw, the arms always remain under the car, safety dogs engaged, if it were to come down
> unexpectedly... and I only move one arm at a time) The ram seems to have no trouble doing it.
>
> The only thing I can think of that would be a negative, is it does have a fairly large footprint, (but I prefer the stability that offers) and it
> must weigh a metric $hit-ton... I have never tried to move it anywhere but rolling it around my shop, and I don't ever really want to.
>
> Also FWIW, I never use the chain system or whatever to secure the trans or diff, etc. I find using ratchet straps to be much more secure and
> easy...
>
> Now, in the last year or so it started to leak a little out the top seal, but it still works fine and I have not had to add oil or anything. I
> have not looked into sourcing the seal yet, so I guess we'll see how that goes.

--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
 
Looking at the 2 transmission jacks altho the NH unit is somewhat less expensive it is almost 5 “ taller in the lower position than the HF unit and it uses a hand operate pump to raise the load. The HF unit uses a foot pump and a hand release on the side of the cylinder so you can position with 2 hands and pump with your foot. The NH unit requires that you have one hand on the load and one on the pump handle and the release in like using a bottle jack. Using the HF unit would be safer to position the load IMHO. Note here that it is a pain to get the load (transmission) on/off the jack. Your comments may vary.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

>
> Northern free shipping.
>

>> Looks a little cheaper at Norther Tool vs HF right now... if you have one nearby... $189
>>
>> https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641733_200641733
>>
>> For what it's worth, I have a 2 stage I bought from Northern Tool about 10 or 12 or so years ago and I love it... No real problems, easy to use.
>> Jacks up fast. I'm just a car hobbyist, btw, but I've never regretted the extra $$ on the initial purchase over the single. THat being said, I've
>> never tried the single stage other than in the store, but they seem to be slow as heck, unless you can find an air powered one or something
>> similar.
>>
>> The one I have looks like this one, but who knows if it has internal changes or whatever from when I bought it.
>>
>> https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641383_200641383
>>
>> It's a beast, too. I've used it to lift up one end of a car to re-position the lift arms while the car remains in the air on more than one
>> occasion... (This sounds more dangerous than it is, btw, the arms always remain under the car, safety dogs engaged, if it were to come down
>> unexpectedly... and I only move one arm at a time) The ram seems to have no trouble doing it.
>>
>> The only thing I can think of that would be a negative, is it does have a fairly large footprint, (but I prefer the stability that offers) and it
>> must weigh a metric $hit-ton... I have never tried to move it anywhere but rolling it around my shop, and I don't ever really want to.
>>
>> Also FWIW, I never use the chain system or whatever to secure the trans or diff, etc. I find using ratchet straps to be much more secure and
>> easy...
>>
>> Now, in the last year or so it started to leak a little out the top seal, but it still works fine and I have not had to add oil or anything. I
>> have not looked into sourcing the seal yet, so I guess we'll see how that goes.
>
>
> --
> 1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
you can easily bolt a piece of plywood on the tranny jack to make it better to hold a gas tank. We used one to drop Bob D's tank once, and it worked
like a charm. even though gas tanks are not too bad if you have a helper, the constant support of the tranny jack was a treat. You want one you
can use your foot to pump for sure!

we used it to do tanks, and final drives. but not for actually gmc tranny. those seem to be easier chain hoisted down from above.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
I use a motorcycle jack and some blocks

Sent from my iPad

>
> you can easily bolt a piece of plywood on the tranny jack to make it better to hold a gas tank. We used one to drop Bob D's tank once, and it worked
> like a charm. even though gas tanks are not too bad if you have a helper, the constant support of the tranny jack was a treat. You want one you
> can use your foot to pump for sure!
>
> we used it to do tanks, and final drives. but not for actually gmc tranny. those seem to be easier chain hoisted down from above.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
To All,
Very few of us have a lift to get the coach in the air high enough to use a
transmission jack, for those that do I am envious! Ken H drive on Pit is a
wonderful thing too! I do however do service on our coach each year up on
jack stands and safety blocking, it gets the coach up about 22 inches up.
Just as a comment the yellow Ford 4ton bottle jack shown in the picture is
NOT supporting the coach.

This is what I use to remove the tanks from under the coach.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/fuel-tank-system-rebuild/p60401-fuel-system-rebuild.html

I am also making a bracket to allow me to remove and reinstall the final
drive without having to lift it by hand. I have a transmission jack plate
that is like the one on the transmission jack that fits on my floor jack
that will allow me to build a mount out of 3/8" plate and mount on the jack
plate.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

On Fri, Nov 8, 2019 at 12:31 AM dan molnes via Gmclist <

> I use a motorcycle jack and some blocks
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Nov 7, 2019, at 6:10 PM, Jon Roche via Gmclist <

> >
> > you can easily bolt a piece of plywood on the tranny jack to make it
> better to hold a gas tank. We used one to drop Bob D's tank once, and it
> worked
> > like a charm. even though gas tanks are not too bad if you have a
> helper, the constant support of the tranny jack was a treat. You want
> one you
> > can use your foot to pump for sure!
> >
> > we used it to do tanks, and final drives. but not for actually gmc
> tranny. those seem to be easier chain hoisted down from above.
> > --
> > Jon Roche
> > 75 palm beach
> > EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> > St. Cloud, MN
> > http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
I have a transmission jack, floor model, not a high lift model. It will
adapt to practically any configuration to accommodate either transaxles,
conventional manual transmissions, automatics, and GMC Final drives. It has
safety chains to secure them, and a very wide stance for stability. Very
handy when you work alone as I nearly always do. I have room in my shop for
a 4
post lift, my walls are 16 feet high. But, I prefer to use stands. I pull
engines out the top with a gantry rail and cherry picker. It works for me.
Most of my work these days is suspension and brakes. So, it works well for
me.
If you DO spring for a 4 poster lift, don't forget that you still need
to have some auxiliary method of lifting the suspension off the lift for
suspension and brake work. That stuff can add up to as much $$$$$ as the
lift itself. So be prepared to spend 8 to 10 K. for the whole meal deal. If
you want the alignment module, the price goes up from there. Just saying.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Fri, Nov 8, 2019, 7:40 AM John Wright via Gmclist <

> To All,
> Very few of us have a lift to get the coach in the air high enough to use a
> transmission jack, for those that do I am envious! Ken H drive on Pit is a
> wonderful thing too! I do however do service on our coach each year up on
> jack stands and safety blocking, it gets the coach up about 22 inches up.
> Just as a comment the yellow Ford 4ton bottle jack shown in the picture is
> NOT supporting the coach.
>
> This is what I use to remove the tanks from under the coach.
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/fuel-tank-system-rebuild/p60401-fuel-system-rebuild.html
>
> I am also making a bracket to allow me to remove and reinstall the final
> drive without having to lift it by hand. I have a transmission jack plate
> that is like the one on the transmission jack that fits on my floor jack
> that will allow me to build a mount out of 3/8" plate and mount on the jack
> plate.
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker
> GMCGL Tech Editor
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> TZE Zone Restorations
> 78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
> 75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
>
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 8, 2019 at 12:31 AM dan molnes via Gmclist <

>
> > I use a motorcycle jack and some blocks
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > > On Nov 7, 2019, at 6:10 PM, Jon Roche via Gmclist <

> > >
> > > you can easily bolt a piece of plywood on the tranny jack to make it
> > better to hold a gas tank. We used one to drop Bob D's tank once, and
> it
> > worked
> > > like a charm. even though gas tanks are not too bad if you have a
> > helper, the constant support of the tranny jack was a treat. You want
> > one you
> > > can use your foot to pump for sure!
> > >
> > > we used it to do tanks, and final drives. but not for actually gmc
> > tranny. those seem to be easier chain hoisted down from above.
> > > --
> > > Jon Roche
> > > 75 palm beach
> > > EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> > > St. Cloud, MN
> > > http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Concerning the dropping of the gas tanks; approximately how high do you need to get the coach off the floor?
--
Jim Owens,

78 Royale,

Out skirts of Kitchener, Ontario
 
20 to 22 inches is just fine.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/fuel-tank-system-rebuild/p60401-fuel-system-rebuild.html

I posted this yesterday to show what I use to remove the fuel tanks.

JR Wright
Michigan

>
> Concerning the dropping of the gas tanks; approximately how high do you need to get the coach off the floor?
> --
> Jim Owens,
>
> 78 Royale,
>
> Out skirts of Kitchener, Ontario
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Brother you have a lift which goes up and down....2 saw horses will be the hot ticket for fuel tanks in my opinion....stable and wide.

A hydraulic tranny jack, unless multy stage will be too high and even multy will make you lift. You will also have to make something that will support
the tanks and it will have to be wide enough to keep them from falling or being crushed when lifting....plus if the tanks have fuel in them....well we
wont go there.

My suggestion of course from someone who has done it for over 40 years...ymmv.
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
I ran my tanks down close to empty first. Then I ran my coach up on ramps. Using an electric fuel pump, I pumped the tanks dry. Then using a low
clearance floor jack, took a piece of 5/8"plywood that was 16" X 16" square and using some self taping screws, screwed the plywood to the floor jack
lifting plate. Centered the plywood under the tank, disconnected the tank from the fuel lines, electrical connections, and bolts holding in place.
Lowered the tank, and dragged it out from under the coach. Rolled the tank and jack to the work bench and raised it to working level. After servicing
the tanks and hoses, reversed the removal process to put the tanks back. Spent less than a day doing the work. JWID

Everyone talks about what a tough job this is when it is really a simple process that is not at all difficult. Just do it! JMHO
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Thanks Jim, you are absolutely right.

Acquiring a GMC was the 'last straw' for me and automotive work. The house we bought 30+ years ago had (and still has) a gravel driveway and the only
solid flat surface is inside the garage which has filled itself with machine tools and left not enough room for even our miniscule Honda Fit.

What work I could do on cars was done on my back on a creeper on the gravel - and the creeper wheels don't turn worth a darn on that stuff. I'd had
enough 'fun' for a lifetime and when the Eleganza and then Birchaven came along with the low ground clearance and the inventory of under vehicle
'fixes' needed, I made a business decision to splurge a bit on a lift. There wasn't one available for rent or borrow locally that would handle the
weight/length configuration of the GMC, nor be sufficiently available / accessible to fit my schedule. (I design, develop and prototype electronic and
electro-mechanical apparatus and having my own 'quick turn' facility is definitely a business asset.)

The checking account was slightly overweight for a (pleasant) change and the concrete pad plus the lift plus a rolling jack accessory were within my
budget. The shop/storage building to house them will come later. I hope.

Thanks again,

Stu

--
Stu Rasmussen W7QJ
Silverton, OR
'77 Birchaven
 
may i ask what lift model you went with? Is bend pack still the goto lift?
--
Stephan Ashe
1973 26-6 painted desert?
1977 Royale sidebath
Tucson Az
 
I got the Bendpak HDS-14 which my 23' Birchaven fits on easily and a
26-footer would just exactly fit on the runways. The front tires are
fully on the runways and the rear tires overhang an inch or two. I did
not realize the wheel track was different front to rear.

I originally looked at the extended version lift (HDS-14X) but you are
supposed to derate the lifting capacity for shorter vehicles and my 140"
wheelbase, 12,000 pound unit was right at the edge of that envelope.

I splurged on the rolling jack unit to fit the lift but now that
everything is in place the rolling jack may not be able to reach the
front lift point. I'm still measuring.

Stu

> may i ask what lift model you went with? Is bend pack still the goto lift?
>
 
> I got the Bendpak HDS-14 which my 23' Birchaven fits on easily and a
> 26-footer would just exactly fit on the runways. The front tires are
> fully on the runways and the rear tires overhang an inch or two. I did
> not realize the wheel track was different front to rear.
>
> I originally looked at the extended version lift (HDS-14X) but you are
> supposed to derate the lifting capacity for shorter vehicles and my 140"
> wheelbase, 12,000 pound unit was right at the edge of that envelope.
>
> I splurged on the rolling jack unit to fit the lift but now that
> everything is in place the rolling jack may not be able to reach the
> front lift point. I'm still measuring.
>
> Stu
>

> > may i ask what lift model you went with? Is bend pack still the goto lift?
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

If your worried about the rear tire overhang just get a competent welder to make a couple wing plates that you can just place on top and pin down to
widden under the wheels.....if done right they can even be removable.

--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
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