Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I'm in the market for either a hi lift or an exhaust jack and am wondering what peoples thoughts are on either. Looking at ARB's hi lift & bushman's X jack. I am leaning towards an exhaust jack but have never used one before so any pros/cons are appreciated.

Cheers

make sure if you buy the high lift you always have a hammer ready cause

a. you need to knock the pin after a while to get it to work.
b. in case you get frustrated and want to dent something.

However i imagine it would be annoying needing to turn the car on every time you want to lift your rig.

What about a trolley jack?

The X jack has a fitting so you can connect an air copmpressor directly to it - compressor or exhaust!! Pretty flexible I reckon plus it all sounds a bit more stable and safer!!

while i haven't had alot of experience with either i would probably go for the exhaust jack for out in the bush. i've helped a mate change a tyre half way up a hill with one, just make sure the other wheels are chocked up good. I don't know how you would go with a hi-lift while on a hill, i'm sure it's been done but i wouldn't feel as safe.

both have their uses though

Josh_GQ wrote:while i haven't had alot of experience with either i would probably go for the exhaust jack for out in the bush. i've helped a mate change a tyre half way up a hill with one, just make sure the other wheels are chocked up good. I don't know how you would go with a hi-lift while on a hill, i'm sure it's been done but i wouldn't feel as safe.

both have their uses though

Cheers Josh

Valid point about hills. I've just heard so many horror stories about hi lifts, plus my Disco has few points to actually fit the hi lijst which is why I'm thinking exhaust jack - seems to be a bit more flexible and safer.

while they are both awsome items to have when needed, precautions have to be taken with both,

highlift, as you will know, need a level surface to work with, also need a level point on the rig that the highlift wont slip from, always better to haveTabs in your bar so there is no chance of hilift slipping out.

Exhaust, always need to check placement, staying away from sharp edges, making sure you use some carpet on top and bottom, making sure there are no sharp objects on the ground, also with SWB rigs, they tend to lift the whole side, or end, have only ever used one of these on the beach, and while it worked well, id did lift the whole side of a MQ SWB

thats my notes from experience.

ozy1 wrote:while they are both awsome items to have when needed, precautions have to be taken with both,

highlift, as you will know, need a level surface to work with, also need a level point on the rig that the highlift wont slip from, always better to haveTabs in your bar so there is no chance of hilift slipping out.

Exhaust, always need to check placement, staying away from sharp edges, making sure you use some carpet on top and bottom, making sure there are no sharp objects on the ground, also with SWB rigs, they tend to lift the whole side, or end, have only ever used one of these on the beach, and while it worked well, id did lift the whole side of a MQ SWB

thats my notes from experience.

Thanks ozy1

I think there is too much setting up of my Disco to accept a hi lift where as the exhaust jack is ready to go and should suit me perfectly. Ideally I would buy both for any situation but then as I only really get out ever so often it seems a bit extreme.

Cheers for your input.

ive got both, ive used the hi lift heaps more than the exhaust bag, exhaust jacks are good on sand and mud, hi lifts are better suited to rocky areas, have you considered a good hydrualic bottle jack, they can be very handy in all situations provided you cary a 300mm square plate.

hi-luxmadness wrote:ive got both, ive used the hi lift heaps more than the exhaust bag, exhaust jacks are good on sand and mud, hi lifts are better suited to rocky areas, have you considered a good hydrualic bottle jack, they can be very handy in all situations provided you cary a 300mm square plate.

Hi hi-luxmadness

I have a bottle jack but with limited travel and still need to get a plate for it. I reckon i'll get the exhaust jack first and then maybe a hi lift just in case. Have you had any probelms with the exhaust jack or do you have any tips on use?

Cheers

Watch the exhaust pipes with the X bag - its easy to burn a hole.

And check your exhuast pipe will accept the funnel - my disco's exhuast pipe had both a taper & a downturned lip - the funnel wouldn't seat properly.

Regards
Max P

Maxtd5def wrote:Watch the exhaust pipes with the X bag - its easy to burn a hole.

And check your exhuast pipe will accept the funnel - my disco's exhuast pipe had both a taper & a downturned lip - the funnel wouldn't seat properly.

I'm not sure the exhaust will fit the Disco too snuggly, but the X jack has the adptor for a compressor which suits me. Noted about the exhaust burning the bag, I'll have a good look under the rig before buying just to double check all available jacking points.

Cheers

it would take a while to inflate it with a compressor, as for the exhaust jack i havent had any probs with mine, but ive only used it about twice

hi-luxmadness wrote:it would take a while to inflate it with a compressor, as for the exhaust jack i havent had any probs with mine, but ive only used it about twice

Looking at getting a bushman max air which my all accounts seems to crank out a fair bit of air, but reckon I can get the nozzle to fit the exhaust with a bit of playing. Either way those are issues I'm happy to deal with.

Cheers

Mick G wrote:

hi-luxmadness wrote:it would take a while to inflate it with a compressor, as for the exhaust jack i havent had any probs with mine, but ive only used it about twice

Looking at getting a bushman max air which my all accounts seems to crank out a fair bit of air, but reckon I can get the nozzle to fit the exhaust with a bit of playing. Either way those are issues I'm happy to deal with.

Cheers

Ever tried to inflate an air mattress with your compressor? Now try it with a hair dryer.

Its volume of air vs. pressure of air...big difference. That's why exhaust is good in inflate the bag, its high volume, not high pressure (you don't see anyone try and refill their tires from the exhaust now do you?)

[/quote]

Ever tried to inflate an air mattress with your compressor? Now try it with a hair dryer.

Its volume of air vs. pressure of air...big difference. That's why exhaust is good in inflate the bag, its high volume, not high pressure (you don't see anyone try and refill their tires from the exhaust now do you?)[/quote]

Sounds like you paid attention at skool!!

I have an X jack and I have used it heaps of times and in heaps of places (bog holes and very steep inclines). I think they are more versatile than a high lift.

Vsicks Pathy wrote:I have an X jack and I have used it heaps of times and in heaps of places (bog holes and very steep inclines). I think they are more versatile than a high lift.

I'm inclined to agree judging by some of the feedback. Spoke to ARB today and asked them to put one aside.

Cheers

Yeah I love the principle behind exhaust Jacks but I've had two from two fail 1 ARB and 1 Bushranger... they were both well protected the ARB one failed at the seam lifting my zook and the bushranger blew with a comforting bang with my Patrol just high enough for a tyre change... strangely I had stopped pumping?

I have one but i've never used it - i have only tested it in the driveway but it's so small and light and comes in a bag so i can just throw it in the back somewhere and forget about it. One day i may need it