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So I have a 3-ton floor jack that can lift up to 18.5 inches high. I tried lifting a small SUV and discovered that the floor jack point is so high that the total hight I lifted the car was only around 5 inches. This was just barely high enough to get jack stands at minimum (nothing dialed in) height under the jack mounting points.

Any inexpensive alternative way(s) to lift the SUV higher in a home garage?

I am aware of a build your own ramps answer

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    Some floor jacks have a "truck" or "SUV" attachment that is essentially a post 6" or so long that you insert into the end of the jack. – jwh20 Jul 27 '20 at 17:52
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    Putting the jack on a suificiently strong block can work but make absolutely sure it cannot slip... – Solar Mike Jul 27 '20 at 18:34
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Add a short length of 2X4 or 4X4 to the lifting pad on the floor jack. Do not use brick as they can break. I have a 4X4 with a groove cut in it to fit the lifting point of a particular car .

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If you are a costco member, there are QuickJacks which are essentially lifts but without the huge size. I have a set, and it can lift my truck just fine. They can lift about 19 inches, so it will lift pretty high, so that you can remove a differential or transmission from underneath. They are expensive(CAD$1499), but they are well worth the investment because they act both as a jack and jackstands. If you are not willing to spend that much, you can try putting bricks underneath your jack, but make sure that you are on a level surface.

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  • QuickJacks will work, but will cost a pretty penny more than a rollaround floor jack and four jack stands. – DavidSupportsMonica Jul 28 '20 at 0:30
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    I'm down with the quickjacks @RickYao, but your advice to put bricks under the jack is dangerous and should not be followed! Bricks are brittle and not strong under compression, they have been known to crush under the weight of a car. Wood blocks are a much safer option. – GdD Jul 28 '20 at 8:30

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