air / exhaust jack
 

I want to get an air/exhaust jack, a purpose built off-road recovery one, not the draper type.

There are many very well designed exhaust jacks available in Australia and south Africa, such as those produced by Takla. but they are extremely difficult to find in the UK and insanely expensive when you do.

I have found British manufacturer Easylift, which I had hoped would be a cheaper option, but no luck, still £400+

Are there any other British or European manufactures of air jacks? Or at least somewhere I could purchase one at a more reasonable price.

We can get the Bushranger air jack £230 inc vat or they do another one which is better quality and comes with a few more things in the kit, £295 inc vat. These can both lift 4 tonne to 70cm.

Cheers,
Matt

Matjack Low Pressure Lifting Cushions on Matjack-Indianapolis Industrial Products?
Paratech | Emergency and Rescue Equipment Air Cushions/ (go to the 3rd one from the left on the bottom)
These are high quality inflatable air jack bags. I have an 8 ton Matjack for my Unimog.

Charlie

Bushranger list their exhaust jack at AU$280, cost of sea mail would be about AU$150 (and a three month wait). You might even persuade them to deduct 10% GST from the price as its an export. Exchange rate would put that at about UKP220.

I've got to go to a TJM store today/tomorrow - I'll ask if they are interested in an overseas sale and let you know. Send me a PM with your email address.

I've often wondered if there is a mail order market in Europe/UK for 4x4 accessories from Australia - I sold a Toyota FJ75 bullbar to Germany a few years ago on eBay, and a Landrover capstan winch to Brazil.

Bushranger Jack
 

I own one(Bushranger) and can highly recommend them if you intend to do any significant amounts of driving in soft sand.If not stick with a bottle jack,etc.

Check the profile of your exhaust pipe vs.the end of the BR tube;you may need to make an adaptor out of shits,bits and duct tape.

If you go for one be aware they take up a fair amount of space(like a sports bag).Us it with two carpet offcuts;one underneath to protect from thorns etc and one on top to help with edges on chassis,etc.

Really good bits of kit in soft sand.

takla jack for £310 inc vat:-

APB-Trading : Britain's leading Independent Land Rover specialists. - Expedition & Overland

Draper did one that some people are still selling, 3tons, £50 delivered inc vat. Doesn't look as robust though:-

Draper Inflatable Car Vehicle Air Bag Jack 3 Tonne at Care4car.com

The matjack for my truck would be 8 tons capacity, 48"*48"*48" inflated and $4000 plus del plus import tax plus vat. They suggested their 32 ton high pressure bag, it'll only lift 300mm but is half the weight, a quarter of the packed size and "only" $1150 plus as before. Not a lot of use though!

Not cheap for decent stuff for a reason perhaps? And for stable lifting it seems a pair is more sensible!

Paratech | Emergency and Rescue Equipment

Check this outfit. Their 12 ton bag is what I wish I had gotten for my U500, then I could easily lift the whole rear end.
Let me know their prices compared with Matjack.

Charlie

don't bother with the Draper...
 

I had the Draper one - seemed like such a bargain it was worth taking a chance on, but it burst lifting a Landy... oh well, I'm looking for a proper one now too!

draper air jack
 

Have Draper one, used it once, it worked fine. Make sure use carpet or similar. The price was very reasonable compared to ARB etc.

I had a draper, the only time I tried to use it, it blew off the exhaust and covered me in black soot:blushing:

they have some imperssive kit. I have been giving some thought as to how you would right a rolled camper type vehicle and this could be the answer, as well as being a quick jack

Air jacks
 

Hi all,

I remember watching a guy demonstrating these at a show some years ago. Being a bit of a sceptic I said "Yeah, but if you get a puncture the car will come crashing down!" With that he pulled out a bowie knife and stuck it in the bag. The 4x4 came down slowly and safely!

Seriously, air jacks are very good in the right circumstances with the right vehicle.
1. Make sure the hose fits your exhaust. Defenders and Discoveries will be OK but Toyotas and Nissans with big 4.2 engines and big exhausts may need an adapter.
2. Watch out for sharp stones and protruding bolts. I always use carpet squares above and below the bag. Get wool 2' x2' samples from your local carpet shop. They'll maybe give them away free - the edges are bound so they'll last for ages. NB Wool is best as it won't burn/melt/stink if it touches the hot exhaust.
3. Be careful if you have a vehicle with a long suspension travel. You could end up with 3 tonnes balanced on a beach ball!

That's about it... (I should write a book!)

Happy trails,

Jojo

air jack
 

I have one and have never used it, not in the desert, not in the mud. IMHO a worthless superfluous piece of kit. A high jack and a shovel is all you need.

The air bag can even damage the underside of your car, fuel tanks, fuel lines, brake lines, exhaust, etc.

Cheers,
Noel

Damage can occur only if one doesn't use the fairly obvious precautions spelled out under 2. in the previous post.

Despite what are now crazy prices, give me an airbag any day. Where a regular bottle jack can't be used they're much lighter, don't require mounting or cleaning and work under any car (you may be recovering someone else). I can't see how a Hi Lift would have worked on my last 4x4 (or the car pictured below, come to that) without welding or drilling attachments. Lifting a car from the side is more stable too.
Must say I've never used mine in mud. Some good grippy pads like Soltrack sand matts (also very light) could be used as airjack pads.

Chris S