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AutoZone Engine Hoist Rental: Do They Rent (or Loan) a Shop Crane?

If you’re searching for an AutoZone engine hoist rental, you’re usually trying to solve one problem: you need a shop crane (engine hoist, cherry picker) for a short window, and you don’t want to buy and store a large tool.

Here’s the honest answer based on AutoZone’s national pages: AutoZone has a Loan-A-Tool program, and AutoZone sells engine hoists, but an engine hoist as a confirmed Loan-A-Tool item is UNKNOWN unless your specific store confirms it.

Quick answer (what you can safely assume)

• Loan-A-Tool exists: yes (official policy page).
• AutoZone sells engine hoists: yes (official retail category + product pages).
• AutoZone loans/rents engine hoists nationally: UNKNOWN from the national pages we can cite.

What AutoZone’s Loan-A-Tool program says (official)

AutoZone describes Loan-A-Tool as a deposit-based program. The key points from the official program page are:

• You leave a deposit that covers the tool’s purchase price.
• You can keep the tool for up to 90 days.
• If you return the tool, you can receive a full refund (assuming return conditions are met).
• If you decide to keep the tool, the deposit becomes the purchase.

Source: https://www.autozone.com/lp/loan-a-tool

Do they loan an engine hoist specifically?

UNKNOWN from AutoZone’s national pages. AutoZone’s engine hoist category is a retail (purchase) category. That means it’s a place where you can buy an engine hoist, check pickup availability, and ship to home, not proof that the hoist is a Loan-A-Tool item.

• Source (engine hoist retail category): https://www.autozone.com/engine-and-vehicle-lift/engine-hoist

What to do next: if you’re aiming for a loaner, call your local AutoZone and ask explicitly whether they have an engine hoist/shop crane available under Loan-A-Tool, and what the deposit is. If they say yes, ask them to confirm:

• the specific tool name/SKU they loan
• the required deposit
• return window and refund conditions
• whether any accessories are included (chain, leveler)

If you need one today: AutoZone sells a 2-ton engine hoist

If your actual intent is same-day pickup (not a loaner), AutoZone sells the Duralast 2 Ton Engine Hoist (80900T). It’s a foldable engine hoist with a telescoping boom.

Rather than repeating specs that can change over time, use the official product page for current details (capacity, warranty, and what it includes):

• Source (product page): https://www.autozone.com/p/duralast-engine-hoist-80900t/123037

Do you need an engine leveler?

A load leveler (engine leveler) is not the same thing as a hoist. It helps you control tilt during removal/installation, which can matter a lot for tight engine bays or engine+transmission pulls.

AutoZone lists a Duralast engine leveler separately, which is useful context if you’re budgeting for your whole setup (hoist + leveler + chain/rigging):

• Source (leveler product page): https://www.autozone.com/p/duralast-engine-lift-bracket-80901t/155794

Rent vs buy vs buy-used-and-resell (how to decide)

If you’re on this page, your real decision usually looks like this:

Rent (best for one-time jobs, if availability is good)

Renting can be the cheapest path when the hoist is available locally and the rental term matches your timeline. It also avoids storage. The downside is availability and scheduling, and in some areas you’ll find that “engine hoist rental” means a general-purpose rental company, not an auto-parts store.

Buy (best when you’ll use it again or need predictable condition)

Buying can be a better value when you’ll need the hoist again, or you want to know exactly what you’re getting (condition, missing hardware, etc.). The trade-off is storage and resale hassle.

Buy used and resell (often underrated)

For many DIYers, the practical move is buying a used shop crane locally and reselling it after the job. Your “rental cost” becomes the difference between what you paid and what you can resell for. This depends on your local market, so it’s not a universal promise, but it can beat week-long rentals when projects drag out.

What to do if AutoZone doesn’t loan it (best alternatives)

If your local AutoZone does not have an engine hoist as a Loan-A-Tool item, these are the next best options. Each of the following providers has official engine hoist rental pages, but availability and pricing are location-dependent.

Option 1: Rent from a dedicated equipment rental company

• Sunbelt Rentals engine hoist rental page: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment-rental/general-construction-tools/engine-hoist/0730011/
• United Rentals knockdown engine hoist: https://www.unitedrentals.com/marketplace/equipment/material-handling/hoists/knockdown-engine-hoist
• United Rentals towable engine hoist (extendable): https://www.unitedrentals.com/marketplace/equipment/material-handling/hoists/towable-engine-hoist-extendable
• Herc Rentals engine hoist listing: https://www.hercrentals.com/ca/equipment/equipment.html/engine-hoist-up-to-4000-lb-p480-2700.html

Option 2: Rent locally (independent rental shops)

Search for “equipment rental” or “tool rental” near you and ask specifically for a shop crane/engine hoist. Independent rental shops often stock general lifting equipment that can solve an engine removal job.

Before you rent or buy (avoid the common mistakes)

A lot of people buy or rent the wrong hoist because they shop by the “2-ton” headline and ignore the constraints that actually break the job:

• Reach: can it reach your lift points without the legs hitting the car?
• Capacity at boom position: ratings drop as the boom extends.
• Hook height: chains and levelers reduce usable lift height.
• Floor reality: hoists want hard, level concrete.

These pages make the decision faster:

• Where can I rent an engine hoist? (US guide)
• Best engine hoist (buyer guide + comparison)
• How big of an engine hoist do I need?
• How high can an engine hoist lift?

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