CREEPER STYLE TRANSMISSION JACK

UNDER HOIST STYLE TRANSMISSION JACK

In the 1950's with the popularity of heavy, complicated automatic transmissions, Transmission Jacks entered the automotive service world in a big fashion. The need for a jack with both a higher lifting range and a tiltable saddle/head to help line up the tricky transmission mounting bolts became essential for transmission shops and most full-service auto repair stations.

With the popularity of front wheel drive vehicles over the past 15 years Trans Jacks have been pressed into duty for helping to remove the whole DRIVETRAIN. Beefier capacities have been added along with special DriveTrain saddle adapters to accomodate the clumsy beasts.

Trans jacks come in two standard configurations: CREEPER STYLE, to pull trannies with the car up only a couple of feet off the ground. And the (usually telescoping, two stage) UNDER HOIST STYLE which, reaching a height of five to six feet, is perfect for dropping a drivetrain from a vehicle supported on a floor hoist several feet above the ground.

The major American manufacturers are Lincoln, Wudel and Norco (some models) - both making Creeper and Under Hoist styles. Also, Gray and OTC make Under Hoist jacks but the first stage requires an air line feed (which most shops have anyway). China and Taiwan have successfully entered the market and offer both styles, as well.

Gray, OTC, and Norco are all respectable companies who fully stand behind their products. Marquette/Lincoln used to be American but they have moved overseas and become just another Chinese jack company. Shy away from the cheap, no-name import models, they may look good price-wise but rarely do they hold up and then are impossible to get repaired properly.