Hi Lift Vs Exhaust / Air Jack

[HHI_Rubicon]

 I am still carrying around my stock bottle jack which prob won't lift my Jeep since my mods.
I am looking at buying either a Hi Lift 48" jack or an ARB bushranger x jack which uses the vehicles exhaust or an air compressor to inflate a low pressure air bag.

 I am leaning towards the ARB even though it is more expensive because it looks safer and more adapted for offroad applications.
Plus, it stores easily inside the vehicle and doesn't require accessories like a mount, lock, offroad base and cover.

So any input? Anyone ever use or seen one of the airbag lift systems used offroad for tire changes etc? Can anyone think of any major drawbacks that maybe I missed besides it being more expensive?

[ranger11]

The only thing I wonder about is how strong the bag is and how it holds up over 5 yrs.

[Will]

Honestly I still use my bottle jack to lift my Jeep much more than my highlift and I'm on 35s. I really don't see a need for those bags the Southeast either. There's usually a rock or firm ground around to act as a base (Unless you're changing tires on the beach or something  {ehm} )

And how high do those X-Jacks actually go? Also, they seem to lift from the frame and will flex your suspension out before the tire is lifted  while a bottle jack under the axle will lift a tire more efficiently and predictably.

[Logan]

I would say save the money and buy a hi-lift and a ratchet strap to keep your suspension from flexing. It just seems like with the x-jack there are too many variables that can cause problems.

Also if you decide to go with a hi-lift style, find an Agri-supply like we have in Statesboro. I think I paid $45 out the door for mine and that was there regular price.

[DOUG]

Hi Lift X-treme.  You'll never need another jack.

And can you use the bag as a tie rod, or a winch, or a metal straightener, or.....

[mdo817]

Sounds like the F/F comeing out in ya Tony, I know I was one for about 8 years, only 5 paid. I agree buy the hy-lift, these jacks have came a long way over the years, use the extra money saved on another Gucci purchase. My .02. {toast}

[BigJerm]

the scissor jack will work on the JK. It worked fine on my old JK with 35's. Remember you are jacking the axle, not the frame.

[HHI_Rubicon]

Sounds like the F/F comeing out in ya Tony, I know I was one for about 8 years, only 5 paid. I agree buy the hy-lift, these jacks have came a long way over the years, use the extra money saved on another Gucci purchase. My .02. {toast}

lol yeah, we have high pressure and low pressure air bags for rescue and when I saw the ARB airbag I was like hmmmm.....

I will prob use the stock jack for now and if I find myself jammed up because it won't work I will jsut borrow a trail partners Hi Lift to get the tire change done and then buy my own.

Thanks for the input guys.

[Ben H.]

Check out Tractor Supply. They have the best prices on High Lifts that I have seen.

[swamprat]

can you use your X jack as a winch? or to pry up a roof of a rolled vehicle? hell you can use a hilift handle as an emergency tie rod. i dont see that X jack doing any of that stuff.  ;D

[DOUG]

Check out Tractor Supply. They have the best prices on High Lifts that I have seen.

Real Hi-Lifts, or farm jacks?  The Hi-Lift brand is a usually higher quality, using more corrosive resistant parts, so it will last longer in the elements.  i think the small difference in cost is well worth it, but if you are going to keep it inside the vehicle it might not matter. If it's steel, it will rust.  Cast with zinc coated parts will last.

[Ben H.]

Check out Tractor Supply. They have the best prices on High Lifts that I have seen.

Real Hi-Lifts, or farm jacks?  The Hi-Lift brand is a usually higher quality, using more corrosive resistant parts, so it will last longer in the elements.  i think the small difference in cost is well worth it, but if you are going to keep it inside the vehicle it might not matter. If it's steel, it will rust.  Cast with zinc coated parts will last.

They should sell both. Hi-Lift brand and regular old farm jacks. The one I got is a Hi-Lift brand.