cshontz
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For a short time this past summer, I had the chance to play around with a Bushranger X-Jack, an inflatable vehicle jack distributed in the states by ARB. My observations are detailed below.
http://www.bushranger.com.au/xjack.html
Essentially, the X-Jack is an inflatable column that utilizes your vehicle's exhaust, or an external air compressor, to raise a part of a vehicle for light service (such as a tire change) or recovery.
In its deflated form, the X-Jack is about the same diameter as a small-to-medium sized light truck tire, and only a small fraction of the width, making it relatively easy to stow. In its inflated form, the column stands around 30 inches tall when not under load. The construction is a durable rubber compound with plastic valves, connectors, and a reinforced exhaust hose. At the end the exhaust hose is a thick exhaust cone that is used to mate with the tail pipe. The jack includes a protective mat to place between the vehicle and the X-Jack for addition puncture resistance. Finally, the bottom surface of the X-Jack is comprised of numerous plastic spikes for traction.
With the help of a few friends, we tested the X-Jack under my Jeep Cherokee on a flat grass surface. Operation of the X-Jack is nearly effortless, but there are two details that needed our attention: 1) We needed to mind the placement of the jack so that it did not come in contact with sharp edges or the vehicle's hot exhaust, and 2) someone needed to hold the cone up to the tailpipe as the jack inflated.
In the case of my Cherokee, the tail pipe was formed slightly at the tip, so it was a little bit difficult to get the cone to sit flush against it. On another vehicle with a circular tail pipe opening, it may be possible to jam the cone on there and walk away. Otherwise, between jack placement, and exhaust inflation, operating the X-Jack was a two person task.
The Cherokee was equipped with an Old Man Emu suspension, and 235/75R15 tires causing it to sit roughly two inches over stock. When the X-Jack was fully inflated under the rocker of the vehicle, and closer to the rear axle, it managed to lift the rear tire only a few inches off the ground. Fortunately, the versatility of the X-Jack should allow one to overcome most limitations caused by having ample ground clearance, but I see it as a minor limitation nevertheless.
We made a couple of attempts to raise the vehicle from its lowest point under the axle, but abandoned the effort when we couldn't find a safe position for the bag. Since it wasn't mine, I didn't want to risk us damaging the jack by attempting something that we shouldn't.
Using the exhaust, the X-Jack inflated within a five minute time span. This already reasonably short amount of time can be hastened by using a supplemental air compressor in a secondary valve. An air compressor can also be used as a stand-alone alternative to inflate the jack.
One concern I had was whether or not the rubber exhaust cone could withstand the heat of the tail pipe without melting or deforming. After the inflation was complete, the thick rubber (or possibly polyurethane?) cone maintained its shape and showed a great degree of resistance to the heat. I would suspect that after repeated use on the same tail pipe, that the cone would eventually form to that tail pipe somewhat, but this was not evident after only a few uses.
Also, after we had the X-Jack inflated under the Cherokee and had the rear tire a couple of inches off the ground, we let the vehicle sit like this for a few hours to see if the jack would gradually deflate. It did seem to be deflating very slowly, because after three hours, the tire was just starting to kiss the ground. I felt that the jack's ability to hold air for that duration was more than acceptable performance.
The jack was very rapidly deflated with a release of a valve, and while the top of the protective mat and the jack itself was slightly indented by the body pinch seam under the Cherokee, it withstood that prolonged stress without any sign of weakening, abrasion, or puncture.
Overall, the X-Jack seemed to be of reasonably good quality, innovative, and well-engineered. I think it would be at home in a variety of situations where the terrain is soft, and not very technical - sand stands out in my mind, but it certainly would not be limited to sand.
The X-Jack is not a replacement for a fixed-position jack such as a Hi-Lift, but assuming it is sufficiently durable, the Bushranger X-Jack looks like it would make a valuable addition to one's vehicle recovery gear. In one word ... handy.
The ARB Bushranger X-Jack retails for around $250 as of 11/05 based on some quick Googling. I wouldn't mind having one for the back of my Cherokee some day.
http://www.bushranger.com.au/xjack.html
Essentially, the X-Jack is an inflatable column that utilizes your vehicle's exhaust, or an external air compressor, to raise a part of a vehicle for light service (such as a tire change) or recovery.
In its deflated form, the X-Jack is about the same diameter as a small-to-medium sized light truck tire, and only a small fraction of the width, making it relatively easy to stow. In its inflated form, the column stands around 30 inches tall when not under load. The construction is a durable rubber compound with plastic valves, connectors, and a reinforced exhaust hose. At the end the exhaust hose is a thick exhaust cone that is used to mate with the tail pipe. The jack includes a protective mat to place between the vehicle and the X-Jack for addition puncture resistance. Finally, the bottom surface of the X-Jack is comprised of numerous plastic spikes for traction.
With the help of a few friends, we tested the X-Jack under my Jeep Cherokee on a flat grass surface. Operation of the X-Jack is nearly effortless, but there are two details that needed our attention: 1) We needed to mind the placement of the jack so that it did not come in contact with sharp edges or the vehicle's hot exhaust, and 2) someone needed to hold the cone up to the tailpipe as the jack inflated.
In the case of my Cherokee, the tail pipe was formed slightly at the tip, so it was a little bit difficult to get the cone to sit flush against it. On another vehicle with a circular tail pipe opening, it may be possible to jam the cone on there and walk away. Otherwise, between jack placement, and exhaust inflation, operating the X-Jack was a two person task.
The Cherokee was equipped with an Old Man Emu suspension, and 235/75R15 tires causing it to sit roughly two inches over stock. When the X-Jack was fully inflated under the rocker of the vehicle, and closer to the rear axle, it managed to lift the rear tire only a few inches off the ground. Fortunately, the versatility of the X-Jack should allow one to overcome most limitations caused by having ample ground clearance, but I see it as a minor limitation nevertheless.
We made a couple of attempts to raise the vehicle from its lowest point under the axle, but abandoned the effort when we couldn't find a safe position for the bag. Since it wasn't mine, I didn't want to risk us damaging the jack by attempting something that we shouldn't.
Using the exhaust, the X-Jack inflated within a five minute time span. This already reasonably short amount of time can be hastened by using a supplemental air compressor in a secondary valve. An air compressor can also be used as a stand-alone alternative to inflate the jack.
One concern I had was whether or not the rubber exhaust cone could withstand the heat of the tail pipe without melting or deforming. After the inflation was complete, the thick rubber (or possibly polyurethane?) cone maintained its shape and showed a great degree of resistance to the heat. I would suspect that after repeated use on the same tail pipe, that the cone would eventually form to that tail pipe somewhat, but this was not evident after only a few uses.
Also, after we had the X-Jack inflated under the Cherokee and had the rear tire a couple of inches off the ground, we let the vehicle sit like this for a few hours to see if the jack would gradually deflate. It did seem to be deflating very slowly, because after three hours, the tire was just starting to kiss the ground. I felt that the jack's ability to hold air for that duration was more than acceptable performance.
The jack was very rapidly deflated with a release of a valve, and while the top of the protective mat and the jack itself was slightly indented by the body pinch seam under the Cherokee, it withstood that prolonged stress without any sign of weakening, abrasion, or puncture.
Overall, the X-Jack seemed to be of reasonably good quality, innovative, and well-engineered. I think it would be at home in a variety of situations where the terrain is soft, and not very technical - sand stands out in my mind, but it certainly would not be limited to sand.
The X-Jack is not a replacement for a fixed-position jack such as a Hi-Lift, but assuming it is sufficiently durable, the Bushranger X-Jack looks like it would make a valuable addition to one's vehicle recovery gear. In one word ... handy.
The ARB Bushranger X-Jack retails for around $250 as of 11/05 based on some quick Googling. I wouldn't mind having one for the back of my Cherokee some day.
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