View Full Version : ARB (Bushranger) X-Jack
Well, after my bad experience with the hi-lift and 4xG sliders i decided to quit screwing around and give the xjack a shot. Big thanks to Steel Armadillo hooking me up!!!
First impression... damn this thing is heavier than i expected! (SAL, i weighed it just for you..)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171137-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171120-1.jpg
The size throws you off too.... looks much smaller in pics & videos
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171156-1.jpg
So yeah.... this thing is a lot heavier duty than it looks.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171458-1.jpg
Three pockets for all of the gear/accessories:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171256-1.jpg
Sorry for the blurry pic... but there's also another pocket that holds the heavy duty cover that protects the xjack from punctures:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171236-1.jpg
And the "gripping teeth" on the bottom are beastly!
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120105171227-1.jpg
I plan on doing two tests this weekend:
1) Inflate with exhaust
2) Inflate with VIAIR 400P-A OBA kit
I've read a few online reviews that have actually put portable OBA pumps at a faster inflation rate than exhaust... so we'll see. (it obviously comes down to idle RPM, engine size and OBA pump specs)
Sal-XK
01-05-2012, 04:30 PM
I bet if you went WOT that would beat an OBA LOL That's a pretty cool setup! I did purchase a hanging scale today accurate to he ounce. I saved about .50ยข but don't have to wait for the mailman.
Only accurate to an ounce? That's pretty weak... that'd be like my scale going in .06 lb increments instead of .01 lb increments ;)
lol maybe we'll try a higher RPM test as well. With my superchips programmer I can set the idle RPM higher... maybe i'll put it at 1500 RPM for one of the tests!
Sal-XK
01-05-2012, 04:46 PM
Only accurate to an ounce? That's pretty weak... that'd be like my scale going in .06 lb increments instead of .01 lb increments ;)
lol maybe we'll try a higher RPM test as well. With my superchips programmer I can set the idle RPM higher... maybe i'll put it at 1500 RPM for one of the tests!
LOL I missed typep again:p
Adondo
01-06-2012, 10:37 AM
I've been promoting these things for a long time. As far as I'm concerned, unless you have an old beat up 1948 Dodge Power Wagon with 1.6 tons of extra steel plating added, Hi-Lift jacks are just bad news. They make great can openers on your bodywork when they slip. (Notice I didn't say "if" :) )
They don't need a lot of pressure because they're a large volume air bag. PSI means pressure per square INCH. So the area on the almost 28" diameter bag end which is about 615 inches, even at a measly 1 PSI, that's 600+ lbs. of lifting force. Only 5 PSI is over 3,000 lbs. That's why the exhaust works. Your compressor will work okay, it'll just take a while. :)
Another reason I think an X-Jack is required trail equipment, is in case of a rollover where someone is trapped. They're thin enough to cram in somewhere to get the rig off someone.
Thanks Adondo. I know the premise and how psi works so I wasn't questioning if the exhaust would work or not, just referencing a few reviews that mentioned their OBA was quicker.... though they didn't mention if they had OBA reservoir tanks, which I could definitely see working pretty quick.
Adondo
01-06-2012, 01:09 PM
I think it's neat how low pressure, high volume air bags work. And with such low pressure, you can almost get by with a leaky exhaust system. :)
The X-Jack in your friend on sand dunes or a beach. Try beach sand with a Hi-Lift. You need a platform of some kind, usually a 24" square piece of plywood.
pjmjr508
01-06-2012, 01:24 PM
I have not found a price for this, what did you guys get it for?
I have not found a price for this, what did you guys get it for?
http://www.thesteelarmadillo.com/ARB-Bushranger-X-Jack-SA-ARB72X10US.htm
pjmjr508
01-06-2012, 01:53 PM
http://www.thesteelarmadillo.com/ARB-Bushranger-X-Jack-SA-ARB72X10US.htm
Thank you sir
HueyPilotVN
01-06-2012, 04:06 PM
i am sold on it. Just ordered it from the Steel Armadillo. Got to support our Homie.
Got to support our Homie.
Amen to that!!
And I can't wait until tomorrow morning so I can test mine out :)
pjmjr508
01-06-2012, 10:09 PM
I will be getting one around tax time
Very happy with the X-Jack!!
Let me start with this though, since most people won't read everything i write: It works 100x easier with an OBA pump!
Uploading 28 pics now so give me some time, i'll write about it in a few posts
My little helper:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104557-1.jpg
Ok, first thing I did was take it all out and inflate it without a load, just to see how it all worked. Only took ~ 2 minutes to get it out of the bag and ready to inflate..
Holding this thing up to the XK 5.7L tailpipe does suck due to the angle and cut, was very difficult to get a good seal.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107101541-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107101544-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107101642-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107101706-1.jpg
Next up was to try and lift up the vehicle. After 2:47 inflate time (I stopped the clock for re-positioning) I had to stop. Running back and forth trying to position the jack, it still angled forward, and even with my e-brake on and in Park it rolled forward on me (i purposely did not chock the tires)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107101957-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107102152-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107102423-1.jpg
I then tried it again with the tires chocked and payed more attention to carefully position the jack. In my first attempt I didn't want to go crazy... figured in an offroad situation you're not going to be working with perfectly even ground so just throw it under there and see what happens.
This time I gave up after 2:17 of inflation time. Once the jack started to firm up (about 1:30 in) it was taking a long time and it was really hard to keep the cone on the exhaust without losing air. Once I did get a good seal, air would leak out of the weep hole in the muffler which also slows down the inflation.
It probably would have eventually lifted it... but it was taking so much effort to "push" the cone onto the exhaust I decided to bail a bit early and try the OBA next.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103033-1.jpg
Ok... time to break out the OBA!
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103528-1.jpg
I really like this, especially with my 400P-Auto that starts/stops as I inflate. It inflated relatively quickly, not much slower, if at all than the exhaust. I was also right next to it so I was able to continuously adjust it with ease. You'll also notice another reason why it was as good ideal to change the gauge on my VIAIR inflator!
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103825-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103830-1.jpg
After 3:00
The xjack started to really firm up and was lifting the body (extending the suspension). I decided to stop in 1:00 intervals to keep an eye on the pressure since you're not supposed to exceed 10psi in the jack.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103949-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107103959-1.jpg
After 4:00
Tires weren't off the ground yet, but close. The jack really was taking the form of the jeep. On a side note (no pun intended), this is a place where the S.A. sliders would really help out! You'll see why in the pics :cool:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104151-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104158-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104207-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104217-1.jpg
After 5:00
Tires a few inches off the ground. You may be thinking "oh man, 5 full minutes?" but let me tell you something, the 2+ minutes that i was pushing on that exhaust cone trying to get a seal... that felt like 10 minutes and the jeep wasn't even lifted yet!
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104405-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104416-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104428-1.jpg
After 5:34
Now i was just playing. I wanted to fully inflate the jack which came to another 34 seconds. I still didn't reach 10 psi but thats because the weight didn't require it.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104528-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104540-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104550-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104606-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104627-1.jpg
Cleanup
This took 4:45
FROM:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107104811-1.jpg
TO:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120107105403-1.jpg
Conclusion:
Initial setup = 2-3 minutes
Inflate with OBA = 5 minutes
Cleanup = 5 minutes
So roughly 15 minutes said and done for a full recovery... not bad!
pjmjr508
01-07-2012, 09:56 AM
Great write up
criket
01-07-2012, 10:32 AM
That is friggin sweet Matt!!!! Great write up and yes I can see where the SA sliders would be more beneficial.
Sal-XK
01-07-2012, 03:47 PM
Sweet bro another great review and yes I can also see the benefit of having the SA sliders.
S.A. Sliders + VIAIR 400P-Auto + XJack.... you'd be set! :)
Sal, you're 1/3 the way there!
Sal-XK
01-07-2012, 04:33 PM
YuuuuuUUUP!
EvilJager
01-07-2012, 06:15 PM
Matt. If i get a flat next weekend im using your jack okay haha
Matt. If i get a flat next weekend im using your jack okay haha
Hells yeah! :)
HueyPilotVN
01-13-2012, 11:12 PM
Matt already did a review that convinced me to by an XJack. Here is another set of pictures from Wednesday when It took three of us Jon, Doc, and myself to change a flat.
I bought an X Jack from the Steel Armadillo. It came in handy Wednesday when I went to pick up my Mustang from Doc.
I had a flat on my old trailer that I use to carry the race car around before I got the new stacker trailer.
We had to change the tire anyway so we took pictures for a product review. Matt from the Forum had reviewed it and convinced me to buy it from his experience.
It comes in a heavy canvas case. It is about the size of a tire around but only about one fifth as thick. It comes with several other items. A pair of work gloves, a thick mat, the exhaust hose and an extension for the exhaust hose are included.
The anchor points keep the bottom from sliding around or moving.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/00527-1.jpg
The mat goes between the X Jack and the frame of the vehicle you are lifting.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/00821-1.jpg
We used a portable air compressor to inflate it because we already knew from Matt that using the exhaust hose takes longer. It only requires 10 psi to inflate it.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/01513-1.jpg
It lifted the trailer easily and in a very controlled and safe manner.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/0215-1.jpg
We placed the X Jack directly under the axle.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/0243-1.jpg
This is a good view of the hose for inflating by using the exhaust if you do not have a portable air compressor.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/0253-1.jpg
My experience with using Hi Lift Jacks in the past when off road has been much more dangerous than using this air bag type of lifting device. It is especially safer when letting the air out as compared to lowering any other type of jack that is under load.
It is a little expensive, but not nearly as expensive as losing an arm or a leg and it will not scare you like a tippy jack with a small base.
Thats my story and I sticking to it.
Great addition! Thanks for the review and pictures. :)
Sal-XK
01-14-2012, 06:59 AM
Seems like a must have addition to our jeeps.
Had to use the xjack today.
I found one downfall (kind of minor)... I cut the protective mat when lifting Chris's WK today. I think it had to do with the frigid 11 degree temps though, so instead of flexing around the sharper objects it just cut into the cover. The jack worked fine... but I need to replace that cover. Just something to keep in mind.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20110115452-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20110115453-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20110115454-1.jpg
EvilJager
01-16-2012, 08:22 AM
I ment to tell you yesterday id be glad to replace that liner for you since it was my truck that damaged it. Im def sold on that jack! Changing a tire downhill with a hi-lift would have never worked
I ment to tell you yesterday id be glad to replace that liner for you since it was my truck that damaged it. Im def sold on that jack! Changing a tire downhill with a hi-lift would have never worked
Thanks for the offer man, but don't sweat it. I actually just took everything out of the back of my jeep and snapped a few pics of the damage to add to the review.
I'll probably just order a replacement from mcmaster and get some more pliable rubber for the fridged temps.
Other than that, the only other thing I didn't like about the xjack was having to hook up the exhaust hose. It'd be better if there was just a plug or something to use when inflating with a compressor.... but then again, if it was a nice warm day it probably would have also been a non-factor. With frozen hands, every second matters! lol
These cuts were caused by the crossmember and bolts. The plastic was too cold to stretch around them so it split instead:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120116110936-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120116110952-1.jpg
So if you're wheeling when its in the low teens... be extra careful where you place the jack. Though in our case we wouldn't have had a choice... regardless it got the job done! :cool:
Sal-XK
01-16-2012, 09:48 AM
I would send the company a pic of that and see what they say. So if you use the OBA the exhaust hose stays open? Couldn't you fold the hose a few times and put a rubber band around it? Or are you saying when using the exhaust hose you have to hold it on the pipe?
Sorry i didn't explain that properly- you just have to connect the exhaust hose to the xjack and leave it there. You don't have to hold it up to anything or do anything with it... the one way valve is in the exhaust hose, so if you don't connect it to the xjack then it won't inflate with OBA.
In the pic above you can see the exhaust hose attached. I would prefer to just use a plug instead of unpacking the long hose. Again, not a big deal, just some extra work that id prefer to avoid. Honestly i think inflation by OBA should be #1 and the exhaust hose as a backup.
Sal-XK
01-16-2012, 09:56 AM
Ok I see now! Ya a plug when using OBA would be the way to go. A couple members have already purchased this and I'm sure several more will so I'd contact them see what they say about the pad and the plug.
Adondo
01-17-2012, 10:14 PM
I pack a 3' square piece of carpet. I normally wrap it around a set of camp chairs that are up on the roof rack to keep the wind from beating them to death.
It's handy for use as a step when I'm camping with a bed made up in the back, throwing down as a pad for knees if working on something, it's good for traction, and it can be an X-Jack pad.
+1 for ARB customer service. Finally got around to sending them an E-mail today about the cuts in the cover and they're sending me out a new one.
He's also going to try and get the material specs (per my request) so I can try to spec out a better substitute for cold weather.
And he also agreed with my point about having a plug or something for when you're using OBA, rather than having to unpack and use the long exhaust hose... so hopefully we see an accessory for us OBA guys in the future to eliminate the need for hooking up that hose.
pjmjr508
02-03-2012, 03:22 PM
Nice
+1 for ARB customer service. Finally got around to sending them an E-mail today about the cuts in the cover and they're sending me out a new one.
He's also going to try and get the material specs (per my request) so I can try to spec out a better substitute for cold weather.
And he also agreed with my point about having a plug or something for when you're using OBA, rather than having to unpack and use the long exhaust hose... so hopefully we see an accessory for us OBA guys in the future to eliminate the need for hooking up that hose.
Very good news, thanks for taking care of all of us!
EvilJager
02-05-2012, 02:20 PM
So if its cold you can double layer them lol
So if its cold you can double layer them lol
Oooooor, you can try not blowing your sidewall. :p
EvilJager
02-05-2012, 02:58 PM
Youre just trying to take the fun out of it! Lol ill prob be ordering one very soon, along with some other goodies to take down south
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