HFT vs. Jegs for IDI Engine Stand

CalIDI

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Anybody got opinions about Harbor Freight 2000lb Engine Stands vs the comparable Jegs model?

Both stands look the same with different color paint. I wonder if they are made in the same factory. Is there any real difference between the HFT or the Jegs in build quality? HFT is $100-150 cheaper than jegs and I don't have to pay for terrible shipping. Then again, I'd rather not walk out to the garage and find an IDI on the ground if Jegs would have been stronger.

I will be using the stand for rebuilds and testing if possible. I already have a cherry picker (not HFT) capable of 4000lbs which I can use in conjunction with the stand when running the motors. (Let me know if you think this is a bad idea)

I know the topic of stands for an IDI has been done to death, but I could not find a thread discussing the advantages of JEGS vs HFT. If this question has already been answered already, could somebody please direct me to the correct thread?


Thanks, and Happy Tinkering!
-CalIDI
 

hacked89

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Never used jegs but have two HF ones that I have had multiple IDIs on and off of. You asked about strength, before I had my current cherry picker with a longer boom I had a cherry picker that I would have to put the HF engine stand in the legs of the cherry picker, bolt the engine on, and then slide the stand with the motor on it off the cherry picker at speed with like a 3" drop all 900lbs +. No issues. If you ever saw a ship being launched that's how I had to do it.

Your second question, people do it but i wouldnt run the engine on the stand if you really want to do testing. I made my own engine run stand for that.
 

Jesus Freak

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Check craigslist, you might get a really nice one for cheaper than HF. DON'T RUN A THOUSAND POUND ENGINE ON A STAND!

"hey man, watch this"
-some redneck just before he died of unnatural causes-
 

Nero

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I also have the heavy duty harbor freight stand, currently have a dud IDI on it, it works fine. Is a pain to rotate, but that's what they make 4 foot pry bars for.
I've had a handful of idis sitting on this stand for years, never been an issue.
 

CalIDI

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Cool! Thanks guys.

It looks like harbor freight will do for me.

I have been looking on craigslist but haven't come across any 2000lb ones in my area I could get. There was a free HFT one, but when I inquired about it it was already gone.

Hacked89-Do you have any pictures of the engine run stand? That sounds intriguing.

Thanks for the advice about running the motors on a stand. Definitely not tryna die anytime soon. ;)

What do you guys think about running it on a stand while also chained into a cherry picker. That way the hoist would take a bit of the weight off the stand. I already ran these motors while hanging a couple inches off a tire from the hoist. It worked fine. No loss of limb or life to speak of. Is this another bad idea, or does it sound like it would work?

Happy Tinkering!
-CalIDI
 

Clb

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Eta
Disreguard this. As I read cherry picker not stand:sorry:
I grabbed a hf to pull ONE donor swap mustang into a 55 f1...
It survived untill I went to load the old v-8 into the trailer.
Jegs ,I bet china also...
Hf will discontinue part #'s so you have no replacement parts inna year or 2
 
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Nero

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Probelm with having them on a stand and running, is that you can't have the flywheel bolted on too. Without the flywheel, can't start it.

As for running on a cherry picker? As long as it's rigged correctly, I wouldn't be afraid of doing that. Heck, I ran an IDI on wooden blocks on the ground once. Biggest thing about it is be smart about it! Don't be where if the engine fell, you aren't in the line of falling.
 

hacked89

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Cool! Thanks guys.

It looks like harbor freight will do for me.

I have been looking on craigslist but haven't come across any 2000lb ones in my area I could get. There was a free HFT one, but when I inquired about it it was already gone.

Hacked89-Do you have any pictures of the engine run stand? That sounds intriguing.

Thanks for the advice about running the motors on a stand. Definitely not tryna die anytime soon. ;)

What do you guys think about running it on a stand while also chained into a cherry picker. That way the hoist would take a bit of the weight off the stand. I already ran these motors while hanging a couple inches off a tire from the hoist. It worked fine. No loss of limb or life to speak of. Is this another bad idea, or does it sound like it would work?

Happy Tinkering!
-CalIDI
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Old Goat

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That is a very nice engine stand. I never thought about using a Core Support, well thought out.

Iam pretty sure all and any Engine Stands, and Cherry Pickers are made in China. Some could come from India.
No matter what color or name is slapped on them.

Bend-Pak has one for $400, and jegs is $250.
here is one for $99.

This seller also has a Cherry picker with and stand that fits onto the pickers legs. $1.69.


I have the HF one I picked up off Cl several years ago for a great price. Had a Mercedes 5 cyl Diesel engine on it for a while w/o any problems, haven`t installed an IDI yet.
I wish the metal castors were a bit larger to roll easier.
When you get the weight of the Engine on it, (same with the cherry picker) a P I T A to move.
I agree, a 4ft bar and grease it up so you can rotate the engine easier.

Some guys over on garage Journal or Jalopy Journal made some or modified them with gears etc... pretty cool.

I would stay away from the tricycle one or the other light duty one`s.

Goat
 

Austin86250

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i put a fully dressed idit on my 2000 lbs harbor freight engine stand only could get 4 bolts to fit in the bellhousing though... justused a 4x4 for additional support
 

asmith

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off topic but how do you have your valve cover breathing tube routed? and how does it work? I am really tired of my intake and turbo being covered in a film of oil.
 

hacked89

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off topic but how do you have your valve cover breathing tube routed? and how does it work? I am really tired of my intake and turbo being covered in a film of oil.
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The valve covers have an12 bungs welded into them and then I made up the AN lines that go to the catch can. Then the third catch can bung that you dont see a hose on gets a hose from their to the air intake pipe that has an an12 bung welded in.

This was version 1 which you get the idea. I'm working in version 2 which is pretty much identical but has a larger and different catch can. The one that you see in version 1 is from a car.
 

IDIBRONCO

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only could get 4 bolts to fit in the bellhousing though... justused a 4x4 for additional support
Really? All of the only engine stands that I've seen only use 4 bolts to hold the engine on the stand. That's bought stands, not home made ones.
 
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