VEVOR engine support bar review: the short version
An engine support bar sits across the fender rails and hangs the engine from two hooks so you can pull the transmission, drop a subframe or swap motor mounts without renting an engine crane. The VEVOR VV-FDJZCG-1100 is rated 1100 lbs (500 kg), spans 28.7 to 58.3 inches, and has two hooks that slide along the bar and crank up to 8 inches independently. It scores 4.7 out of 5 from 63 reviews on vevor.com, 76% five-star, and we saw it at $69.90 on 18 September 2026 against a $123.99 list price (the price box above shows the current figure). It is the same design sold as the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh bar, the Torin Big Red TRE4007 and the OEMTOOLS 24950, and it shares their two known weaknesses: thin included chains and feet that can mark fenders. Fix both for $20 and it is a genuinely useful tool.
Specifications
| Spec | VEVOR VV-FDJZCG-1100 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1100 lbs / 500 kg |
| Working range | 28.7-58.3 in (730-1480 mm) |
| Lift adjustment | 0-8.1 in (0-205 mm) per hook, crank operated |
| Hooks | Two, rotating and sliding, with chains (chain link 3.57 in / 90 mm) |
| Material | Steel |
| In the box | Bar, two chains; no instructions |
| Warranty | 12 months, 30-day returns |
How it works on the car
Open the hood, set the bar across the inner fender rails with the rubber feet on the strongest flat section (never the painted lip), slide the hooks over the engine's lifting eyes or a strap around a solid casting, and take up the slack with the cranks. Then support the transmission with a jack, undo the mounts and let the bar take the weight. The cranks raise the engine an inch or two for clearance to the oil pan or a mount bolt, and because the hooks crank independently you can tilt the engine slightly to reach a bellhousing bolt. Owners use it on everything from four-cylinder hatchbacks to BMW straight-sixes and small-block V8s; a Torin owner of the identical bar reports an engine-plus-transmission load around 800 lbs held without drama.
What users say
- It does the job for the money. The consistent theme across VEVOR, Harbor Freight and Torin listings, all at or above 4.7 stars.
- The chains are the weak point. The most repeated VEVOR-specific complaint: thin chains that owners swap for heavier ones before trusting a full engine. Experienced Mustang forum users say the same about the Harbor Freight twin and also upgrade the hook bolts to grade 8.
- No instructions, fiddly hooks. Some reviewers call the build "not made too well" but confirm it "will still hold the engine up."
- Fender damage risk. Across all bars of this type, the feet can dent or mark a fender lip if placed carelessly. Padding and placement on the rail solve it.
- Width limit. A Garage Journal owner learned that the 58 inch maximum of the identical Harbor Freight bar was not enough for a minivan.
Who it is for, and who should pass
Right buyer: a home mechanic doing a clutch, transmission, motor mount, timing cover, oil pan or subframe job on a passenger car, where the engine stays in the bay but needs to be held or raised a few inches. Wrong buyer: anyone who needs to lift the engine out, tilt it steeply for installation or move it across the shop, which is an engine hoist's job, and anyone whose vehicle is wider than 58 inches across the fender rails. It is never a substitute for jack stands and a secondary support under the load.
How it compares
| Bar | Capacity | Notes | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEVOR VV-FDJZCG-1100 (this one) | 1100 lbs | Two chains, no instructions | around $70 on sale |
| Harbor Freight Pittsburgh | 1000 lbs | Same design, 4.7 from 835 reviews | $79.99 |
| Torin Big Red TRE4007 | 1100 lbs | Same design | similar tier |
| OEMTOOLS 24950 | 1100 lbs | Two chains; heavier welds on the OTC-branded version | higher |
| Sunex 5207 | 700 lbs | Cables instead of chains, 34.5-61 in range | higher |
If the choice is between this and the Harbor Freight bar, buy on price and delivery; forum owners of both say they are the same tool. If you want thicker steel and better welds, the OTC/OEMTOOLS version costs more and shows it.
Setup checklist
- Measure across the fender rails; if it is over 58 in, this bar will not reach.
- Replace the chains with grade-70 transport chain and the hook bolts with grade-8 hardware.
- Pad the feet with rubber or folded towels and keep them on the inner rail, off the paint.
- Attach to factory lifting eyes or a strap around a solid casting, never to plastic or the intake.
- Keep a jack under the transmission as a second support and stay out from under the load.
Price and the best way to buy
List price is $123.99; the price box above shows the sale price as we last saw it. Add the Vevor discount code from our store page at checkout for extra savings. It ships free in the US outside remote areas as a standard item, in 2 to 6 business days, and returns run 30 days with a prepaid label.
