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The Drive’s Andrew P. Collins reports that months of testing OTC’s two-ton aluminum racing jack and stands found a well-built, portable setup with a higher maximum lift and controlled release. The jack costs about 2.5 times Harbor Freight’s comparable Daytona aluminum model, and the review argues its price is most defensible for professional or frequent use—not every casual owner.
The Drive’s Andrew P. Collins reports that months of testing OTC’s two-ton aluminum racing jack and matching stands found a portable, well-built setup that lifted higher than the Harbor Freight Daytona jack he had tried, while costing substantially more. The review puts the OTC jack at $564.99 at Summit Racing and the Daytona at about $220, framing the roughly 2.5-to-1 price gap as a question of professional durability and serviceability rather than a necessary upgrade for every car owner.
Collins tested OTC’s LDJA2 two-ton racing jack and SA02 two-ton aluminum stands over several months. He said the jack weighs 41 pounds, compared with about 42.7 pounds for Harbor Freight’s Daytona two-ton aluminum jack. With the saddle removed, OTC’s jack can slide under a vehicle with 3¼ inches of clearance and lift to 18⅝ inches. The Daytona’s stated maximum lift is 16¾ inches.
The extra lift mattered in Collins’ own search: he said a Harbor Freight two-ton jack he first bought could not raise his Civic from its rear-center lift point enough to get both rear wheels off the ground, so he returned it. He said OTC’s jack supplied the height he needed. That experience is specific to his vehicle and lifting point, not proof that the Harbor Freight model cannot lift other cars adequately.
The review lists OTC’s jack at $564.99 and the pair of stands at $153.99 at Summit Racing. At the time of writing, Collins also found the jack for $539.99 on Amazon; a Summit package with jack and stands was listed at $749.99. Prices and availability can change. Collins says OTC supplied the equipment for testing after he contacted the company, and discloses that The Drive may earn revenue from products linked on its site.
When Pro-Grade Tools Justify Their Price
The review is useful to shoppers weighing a tool’s upfront cost against use over time. Collins says both the OTC and Daytona jacks are sold as meeting the ASME PASE safety standard, but argues that meeting a safety standard does not establish equal durability. He points to OTC’s hydraulic design, controlled release valve, replacement-parts site and authorized service network as reasons the higher price may make sense for shops or frequent trackside work.
For occasional home maintenance, the review does not say buyers need OTC equipment. Collins’ conclusion is that a less expensive jack-and-stand set may be sufficient if it meets the applicable standard and its height and clearance suit the vehicle. The distinction matters because a higher price alone does not tell buyers whether a particular jack fits their needs, and lifting equipment must be used according to its instructions and safety limits.
Warranty terms also affect the comparison. OTC’s limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under its terms, but excludes wear items such as seals and damage from misuse, rust, contamination, modification or side loading. Collins contrasts that coverage with the 90-day warranty he cites for Harbor Freight’s Daytona jacks. The OTC warranty requires proof of purchase and may require the owner to pay freight in advance for inspection.
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How the Harbor Freight Comparison Began
Collins wrote that he wanted a jack and stands light enough to carry in cars such as a BMW E46, Mazda Miata or Honda Civic Si for autocross and hillclimb events. He initially bought a Harbor Freight two-ton jack because he was trying to keep costs down, but returned it after it did not provide enough lift at his Civic’s rear-center jack point. He then compared options and contacted OTC, which sent the test equipment.
OTC stands for Owatonna Tool Company, founded in Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1925 and now a Bosch brand, according to the review. Collins describes it as a professional tool supplier whose products are used in repair shops and racing settings. The comparison is not a controlled test of every jack on the market: the article focuses on his experience with these products and the published specifications and prices he cites.
The review also mentions a recall of more than 1.7 million Pittsburgh jacks in 2020 as background to Harbor Freight’s history. That reference concerns Pittsburgh-branded jacks and should not be read as a claim that the Daytona model reviewed was part of that recall. Collins advises budget-minded shoppers to consider used equipment, while urging buyers to check that any jack and stands meet their needs and applicable safety requirements.
““The OTC’s build quality is appreciably better than every other consumer-grade jack I’ve used, and its specs are a bit better too.””
— Andrew P. Collins, The Drive
Limits of the Test and Warranty
The report does not provide a standardized head-to-head durability test, measured service life or repair-cost comparison for the OTC and Daytona models. Its findings about build quality, release control and performance reflect Collins’ months of use, so readers cannot infer that every OTC unit will last longer or that every cheaper jack will fail sooner.
The article also does not establish which jack is appropriate for every vehicle, lifting point or work environment. Buyers should check manufacturer specifications and instructions for the vehicle and equipment; a jack is for lifting, not for supporting a vehicle while someone works beneath it. The quoted retail prices are snapshots from the article’s publication period and may no longer apply.
OTC’s warranty language leaves some outcomes to the company’s assessment of whether a defect exists and whether to repair or replace the tool. Its coverage excludes ordinary wear and several forms of damage, and the review does not report a warranty claim or repair experience. The article also does not identify the specific Harbor Freight jack Collins initially returned as the Daytona model; it compares the OTC jack with the Daytona as the closest product in Harbor Freight’s lineup.
What Buyers Should Check Before Purchase
The next step for shoppers is to compare the jack’s minimum clearance, maximum lift and capacity with their vehicle and planned lift points, then confirm the stand ratings and instructions. Those specifications—not price or the review’s experience with one Civic—determine whether the setup suits a particular job. Buyers should also read current warranty terms and confirm the price and availability with retailers.
Collins’ report does not announce a new product, recall or change in company policy; it is a product review based on months of use. Its practical conclusion is conditional: OTC’s higher price may be easier to justify where equipment is used often and repair support matters, while occasional users may find a less expensive suitable setup adequate. No further testing or product update is specified in the source material.
Key Questions
What did The Drive review?
The review covered OTC’s LDJA2 two-ton aluminum racing jack and SA02 two-ton aluminum jack stands, based on months of use reported by Andrew P. Collins.
How much more does the OTC jack cost than the Harbor Freight Daytona?
The article lists the OTC jack at $564.99 at Summit Racing and the Daytona at about $220. Those are prices reported at the time of publication and may have changed.
What lift range did the review report?
With its saddle removed, the OTC jack can fit under vehicles with 3¼ inches of clearance and lift to 18⅝ inches, according to the review. Collins gives the Daytona’s maximum lift as 16¾ inches.
Does the review recommend OTC for every car owner?
No. Collins says the higher price may make more sense for professional or frequent use. He says occasional users can consider cheaper equipment if it meets the applicable safety standard and fits their vehicle’s height and clearance requirements.
What does OTC’s limited lifetime warranty cover?
As described in the review, it covers defects in materials and workmanship under OTC’s terms, but not wear items such as seals or damage from misuse and other excluded causes. Claims require proof of purchase, and freight or inspection costs may apply.
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