Exhaust Jack

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:45 am

Review of ARB Bushranger X jack - Disabled Explorers

Bushwacker X-jack YouTube video

Titan Air jack

Titan Youtube video

There are several available on ebay as well.

Northern tool Titan

I have been considering alternatives to the Hi-lift. The Hi-lift has been a companion on many adventures the last two decades. It can not only be used for jacking it can also be used for winching with the addition of a length of chain. It has limitations though. First , for these trucks, you must create jack points. The bumpers are not good points. I have front and rear hitches as well as reinforced step bars. A wheel strap would be a very good investment. Now add to that a platform for the foot. A twelve inch square piece of inch and one eighth plywood is a good start. Stowing all this can be difficult and the weight does add up.

Now that I pack a winch. the need for the Hi-lift diminishes. I have been considering alternatives and the air bag lift seems like a good alternative. I think it may out perform the Hi-lift in several areas. Stability, soft terrain like mud and sand, access points for lifting, the ability to push off a side obstacle, weight, storage.

I dropped the hammer too soon on one of the ebay bags. It looks like the Titan bags may be the way to go. Good reviews and a lower price. They have group pricing already in place

Chandler Products wrote:Distributor Price: Min. order 4 units , Jobber Price: Min. order 2 units

I don't see the ARB name being worth an extra $100, but it does include some other accessories and may have an extra layer on the top?
All the bags I see look nearly identical. Some include protective mats and compressor adapters, others do not.

Incentive for this is the upcoming Moab trip. There are a couple very deep sandy areas where my narrow tires may not be an advantage. The highlift might work, but the air bag looks like it may work better.
I know it will be lighter and easier to pack.

More after some evaluation.

rlrnr53 · Post by **rlrnr53** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:17 am

HJ, you should have experience with air bags with the FD. These look like a less expensive version of the air bags. If they are half as good as the air bags I have seen, they would be a wprth while investment.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:24 am

rlrnr53 wrote:you should have experience with air bags with the FD.

I do , however their range is limited. Example of mat style air bag lifting systems To lift a distance we stack them. They are designed for a greater capacity and are extremely durable. High pressure air is used for inflation of the extrication air bags.
That experience does play a part in my understanding and the application.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:03 pm

Made in China , sold in Canada. I bought an ebay air jack.
It differs from the ARB in that it does not have the control valve in the middle of the line and does not have an extra protective mat.
It does include an adapter to use an air compressor, gloves, a repair kit, carry bag, hose with rubber funnel, and the air jack.

Rather difficult to stuff in the carry bag. Once in, there is room to add a protective mat, which I already had.

The rubber funnel fit my tail pipe just right. I have a 4" stainless steel resonator tip.
I was surprised with the amount of strength it takes to hold the funnel to the tail pipe and acquire enough pressure to lift the truck. It is going to take a very well sealed system to use this and a firm grip as well as some upper body strength to hold it to the tailpipe. No way my wife or son will be doing this. I do think they could fill the bag and use the compressor to do the lifting. Not sure how long that would take to actually lift the truck though.

This is lighter than a Highlift. Easier to stow. It has obvious advantages in the sand or mud.

There are cheaper places to purchase what appears to be the same unit. Northern Tool, and a couple other outlets offer the Titan air jack. I dropped the hammer a little too quick and probably paid $20 more than I could have elsewhere. Shipping from Canada was slow. It took over three weeks for it to arrive. Overall, I am pleased. But remember there has been little testing done and the rose colored glasses of a new toy are still on. More later. Much later.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:12 pm

Brule, what are the collapsed sizes on these. I do not know if, I can be sold on them. Totally cool but, cargo room is beginning to make me a tad nervous.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:33 pm

Polite way of saying I should have added something to the picture to provide a sense of scale.

Packed in its bag it is 18"x8"x12" (LxWxH). About the size of a small gym bag with room for a pair of sneakers and change of clothes.
I don't know how the bag would hold up to UV, but strapping it to the roof rack seems reasonable. I plan to find a void for it in the back, or perhaps rearrange the tool box for its inclusion.

This will not be for everyone , or every vehicle. It needs a 24" area free of hot exhaust and items that might puncture the bag.
The area at the transfercase shield works well. On my truck the rear fuel tank shield looks like a good place as would be the front shields. Along the sides the exhaust and spring hangers make centering it on the sides difficult, if not impossible.

Stability can be an issue. It is difficult to position it to lift straight up. It is hard to tell when it was upright. It can tend to push one way or another. Mine tried to push backward as it lifted.

Highlift jacks have similar issues. Without a place to put them they are not very useful. stability can be a problem when they get up high. This is not different, just the location has changed. Takes some forethought.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:46 pm

There is no room here for me to debate on a subject that you have researched and observed working first hand. Hi-Lifts basically equal a cocked gun and should be respected as one. I was merely commenting on space required and you guys on Expedition Portal have packing and space mastered.
I admit that I have not researched it nearly enough but, I can not help feeling that there are not alternatives that might not be as, "cool" but may factor in as a cheaper alternative.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:22 am

Sand recovery has been my focus. I just read reports of a trip in SE Utah where sand was a big problem.
I know the the section where I want to try to pass the wash from eye of the whale, is so sandy that it can only be traveled from one direction.
No way am I going to pack sand ladders. A roll of carpet might be a good idea. Probably not going to pack that. If this will serve the same functions as would the Highlift and perhaps out perform it in sand. That is what I will pack for Moab. Different terrain, different tools.