Thread: Disco Bottle Jack vs. High Lift

The original Jackall Jack was called just that, and was made in Canada. It was the very first 4wd accessory I bought in 1970 and cost me a weeks wages (about $30- I wasn't paid very well).
It lasted until a few years ago by which time the holes were elongated and the pins worn. I was gonna get hurt by it so its been put aside. It was hard tracking down another "original"
It could easily lift a LWB landie rear end, and the entire front if you could balance it. I think it was 8000lbs by the way.
The trouble is that the original patents ran out ( same with Tirfors) and the market is flooded with crap copies. Supacheap had to recall thier branded ones last year coz they couldn't lift anywhere near what was advertised.
David

In my experience a bottle jack is a tad unstable on anything but sooth ground even with a decent size oiece if wood as a base plate.

I carry a piece of ply approx 15" by 15" as a base but also carry a small trolley jack that is a lot more stable.

I could never be bothered with trying to store a hi-lift jack - I have enough trouble storing the shovel.

the disco bottle jack is a beaut bit of kit, two stage ram too, but unless you dig a hole in the sand and put a base plate down no bottle jack will get you out, but the same applys to the high lift - but on a disco there isn't anywhere to fit it, except the tow bar [if fitted with one].
i have several steel plates [old water meter covers actually -free and they fit under the back seat] which i use when in need of a base for the jack, but the jack is no use when stuck with the rear wheels in a deep water hole and the front is almost grounded on rock.
unfortunatly there are always going to be situations where you cannot use one or the other.

Originally Posted by harry

the disco bottle jack is a beaut bit of kit, two stage ram too, but unless you dig a hole in the sand and put a base plate down no bottle jack will get you out, but the same applys to the high lift - but on a disco there isn't anywhere to fit it, except the tow bar [if fitted with one].

I'll see if I can dig out a picture but....

On my old RaRo, I got some sections of steel welded just under the chassis rails. These had holes through the middle of the correct size to accept the Hi-Lift adapter.

M

Originally Posted by harry

the disco bottle jack is a beaut bit of kit, two stage ram too

I lament the loss off mine...evidenced by the spewing of hydraulic fluid...A supercrap imposter now occupies the space and no where near confidence building.

I understand that they are not repairable?

I value and cherish my bottle jack, still doing its service without any trouble, didn't need any maintenance apart from some cleaning and lubrication and a squirt of hydraulic oil every now and then. Often used, never let me down, still the original item.

As stated above by Harry et al., there rarely is a need for a HiLift/Jackall on a Disco, and there are plenty of situations when neither of them will get you out of the quagmire...

And of course the bottle jack is easily and nicely tucked away until needed.

the bottle jack in the series II disco's can be resealed they have O rings in side and are easy to pull apart

and i forgotto mention
who in the dosco design team put the jack under the bonnet?
they obviously have never had to get it out when the vehicle has been running for a while - hot as hades.