Telescoping Transmission Jack, 1,322 lb, 34-68 in Lift

A pedestal transmission jack with a real lift range: the two-stage telescoping ram takes the saddle from 34.3 inches collapsed up to 68.5 inches extended. That low end gets under a car sitting on jack stands, and the high end reaches the pan on a light truck raised on a lift. A shorter single-stage jack forces you to shim or block the case to close the gap, which is exactly when transmissions get dropped.

Lifting is done with a foot pedal, so both of your hands stay on the transmission while it comes off the dowel pins and off the input shaft. You can work it sitting on a stool or standing, depending on how high the vehicle is. Coming back down, you turn the handle to release hydraulic pressure and lower it under control rather than letting it drop.

The saddle is bolted to the ram with upgraded hardware so it does not rock under an off-center load, and two adjustment bolts let you tilt it up to 30 degrees. You set that tilt to match the angle the transmission hangs at, which is what keeps the case from trying to roll off the tray as the bellhousing separates. Capacity is 1,322 lb, comfortably above any passenger-car or light-truck automatic, transfer case, or rear diff.

The frame is steel on a wide base. Four wheels, two with brakes, and a grab ring at the center of the base so you can pull it out from under one vehicle and push it to the next without lifting. Lock the brake wheels before you start pumping. One assembly note worth reading: install the base the correct way up, because a reversed base binds the caster rotation.