Nice tool. I like the 6000lb one which reaches up to 21 1/2”, at only $50. Thanks for sharing.
Looking for suggestions on a replacement bottle jack
- Thread starter Len
- Start date
derekmac
TJ Addict
I watched the video. Is it decently fast? I think either way I’m all in. This is a safe, small and cost effective solution. I’m pumped (no pun intended).
TJ2
TJ Expert
Yeah, I don't remember when was the last time I used mine in the trails.So good my Hi-Lift hasn't been out of my shed since probably 2004. My opinion is the newer the off-roader, the more likely it is he'll be convinced he absolutely needs one. As I did my first 7-8 years of offroading.
It was bought when I was a rookie, and I remember I bought it because I see it cool to display.
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derekmac
TJ Addict
Seeing this photo of the last time I used my Hi-Lift in 2003 was the clincher for me to never use one again.
This photo was taken on Sledgehammer in Johnson Valley after I broke a front axle shaft on my previous (stolen) TJ. I'm removing it so I can finish the trail in 3wd which makes it tough to finish that particular trail. The jack was straight when I first jacked up the side but the Hi-Lift is so unstable at tall lift heights that it started leaning without me realizing it. With more experience with that level of repair I would have known to use the bottle jack to simply jack up the front axle which would have worked better, faster, and far more safely.
This is an embarrassing photo for me but it was good for learning a lesson... don't use a Hi-Lift when a bottle jack will do. Oh... that big rock placed precariously under the Hi-Lift was only because the Hi-Lift couldn't lift the Jeep up far enough to get the axle up high enough to get the tire off & tear the axle down. Yes the axle was strapped to the frame. The second photo shows where the axle broke, the third shows where the axle had been strapped up to the frame in a futile attempt to prevent it from sagging while jacking the body up with the Hi-Lift.
This photo was taken on Sledgehammer in Johnson Valley after I broke a front axle shaft on my previous (stolen) TJ. I'm removing it so I can finish the trail in 3wd which makes it tough to finish that particular trail. The jack was straight when I first jacked up the side but the Hi-Lift is so unstable at tall lift heights that it started leaning without me realizing it. With more experience with that level of repair I would have known to use the bottle jack to simply jack up the front axle which would have worked better, faster, and far more safely.
This is an embarrassing photo for me but it was good for learning a lesson... don't use a Hi-Lift when a bottle jack will do. Oh... that big rock placed precariously under the Hi-Lift was only because the Hi-Lift couldn't lift the Jeep up far enough to get the axle up high enough to get the tire off & tear the axle down. Yes the axle was strapped to the frame. The second photo shows where the axle broke, the third shows where the axle had been strapped up to the frame in a futile attempt to prevent it from sagging while jacking the body up with the Hi-Lift.
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I went with the largest one that fit under my passenger seat (8-ton Jet)...
I actually haven't been able to get a clear answer here either on what the stock jack was rated for. I went with a 6 ton Craftsman Bottle Jack but mainly because of the height range it gives you. I can put it under the axle and get a wheel high enough to change a tire. The one I bought is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008L2K56S/?tag=wranglerorg-20
However I think any 4 ton jack would work if you had some additional help (block of wood) with the height issue that comes with them. (They're slightly too short). The 6 ton one I picked up works great, used it many times so far and fits under the passenger seat just fine. If you need one in a hurry, grab any prime eligible 6 ton jack and you'll be happy.
A 2 ton at the minimum but a 4 ton gives additional height. Make sure it works before you just start carrying it. I was wheeling with a friend when he needed his new bottle jack. It didn't work, it leaked hydraulic fluid like crazy the first time it had a load on it.
eBay carries used OE factory jacks, I'd get one on there together with the crank & 2-piece rod it requires.
I carry the factory jack (which I have never had occasion to use) and also a 6-ton bottle jack. The 6-ton jack sees the most use of any jack I own with the possible exception of the floor jack in my garage. Two of the reasons I picked 6-ton over 4-ton were the additional lift height and the diameter of the 6-ton ram which better fits the extensions and jack pads that I purchased from Bogert Manufacturing.*
Bottle jacks are relatively cheap at Wally World, Harbor Freight, Costco, etc.
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* https://safejacks.com/collections/bottle-jack-accessories
Bottle jacks are relatively cheap at Wally World, Harbor Freight, Costco, etc.
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* https://safejacks.com/collections/bottle-jack-accessories
I don't use a jack, since i go to the gym and can just lift up the side of the jeep. The weight savings of not carrying a bottle jack has brought an increase of 5 hp.
Now.. if you really need a jack.. why not tow a floor jack? That's a good compromise for sure!
:coleman:
Now.. if you really need a jack.. why not tow a floor jack? That's a good compromise for sure!
:coleman:
Xposure
TJ Enthusiast
Oh yeah! I think it’s a really good bottle jack and the size is perfect. Does not move while driving but off-road it may make a little noise but you can bungee it down too. I definitely recommend!
Davey's jeeps has the factory bottle jack kit (jack + rods). My TJR came with the factory set thankfully and I have so far only tried using the jack in my garage after I got my new rims/tires so that I am aware of what to do if a need arises in the future (I run a matched spare/rim on my jeep and plan to do a 5 tire rotation). The factory jack and the kit fit well underneath the passenger seat.
does anyone have a picture of how their stock bottle jack and the rods/lug wrench mount in & around the passenger seat? I don't see any brackets to fit anything into, & is there supposed to be some kind of strap to hold down the jack? I have the jack itself, the 2 piece rod and the lug wrench & I'd like to mount them properly rather than it all taking up space in my tool box...
Kent Dakin
Member
When the factory jack is mounted in its mounting bracket under the seat, you unscrew it so the jack extends outward enough to hold the jack tightly between its two mounting points. When properly extended, the jack also serves to secure the jack handle and prevent it from rattling.
This is the best photo I have found which shows its mounting point. But IIRC, the owner has the below jack rotated 90 degrees from its proper orientation where the knob the jack handle fits into should be pointing straight up. That orientation allows it to lock into its bracket and gives good access to the knob so it can be turned to extend the jack so it locks firmly in place between its mounting brackets. I'd take a photo of mine but the shoulder harnesses that pass through the seat prevent me from moving the seat forward enough to expose the jack.
The tools are secured with the pair of velcro straps adjacent to the passenger side seat base
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Thats actually pretty cool, i've never seen how the stock jack was mounted as mine did not come with one...that absolutely makes sense though, I really like that!