Any recommendations for a cheap, high clearance hydrolic jack?

[Acera]

Find a better bottle jack. Most of the good ones have an extension screw in top that allows you to raise the cap to the work surface before you put any hydraulic tension on it. You should not have to pay over $25-30 for it. (you might want to check the one you already have)

 

[mitchntx]

After a jack and cribbing slipped off a frame rail and made a nice dent in my rocker panel, I bought a nice jack from DCHydraulics. It was pricey, but the max lift is almost 3 feet.

Then once my knees said give it up, I installed a lift in my shop.
2 Post Car Lifts | North American Auto Equipment

All kinds of options for low clearance ceilings and can fit most any budget.

They aren't as expensive as you might think for non-commercial use.
Mine has a 9K rating and was installed for about the cost of decent, optics ready AR15.
Used it to swap flex plate and torque converter in a 6L 2500HD 4x4.

 

[TheDan]

2 Post Car Lifts | North American Auto Equipment

I really need one of those... maybe after I build my new shop.