Bottle Jacks

I've had the same little hydraulic bottle jack rattling around in my "tool tote" that I move from rig to rig for I dunno, close to 30 years now? And it's never leaked anything. I couldn't even tell you what brand or capacity it is at this point (The paint/labels were destroyed years ago), but I know it wasn't particularly expensive at the time.

 

Yep, been dragging them around for decades.. and not in ideal conditions.. Always been solid, even teh cheap o chinese ones..

 

I use a big red 2ton but always with a jack stand.
There is a rubber plug on em that I'm good at knocking off and releasing the juice. Then you gotta make due with a bottle of engine oil and a tiny funnel.
Pros and cons with each style of jack.

 

2-ton ain't "big." I am afraid the small jacks are often "consumer grade." I use 20 and 30 ton for most work.

A five or ten ton would take very little more space than a 2-ton.

My greater Jeeping concern is that I very rarely have ever been stuck where I could get access for a bottle jack.

 

You are right that 2-ton is technically adequate. But it still makes me grin to hear it described as "big."

"Shorties" in heavy jacks are available, but then also have less lift range.

And with any hydraulic, I always want LOTS of shims and blocking available to maximize the lift height.

 

Looks like they have double ram 3 ton jacks on the Amazon. i got mine around 02 and it's under the jeep now with a stand for safety.

 

“big red” is a brand of jack, not a description of the size and color.

I keep a scissor jack in the under seat tool box of my Jeep, as I’ve had horrible luck with hydraulic jacks leaking unless they’re stored upright.

 

Ooohhhh. Duh.

Nevermind.

 

Check this out! https://a.co/d/02pb6BL

I should 3d print centering blocks for these to stand on the camper leveling legos

 

Well this one isn't on sale....


Check this out! https://a.co/d/eCl7K25

 

Looking at the other versions of the last one I would spend the extra five bucks for the three ton with double ram and adjusting screw.

 

my TJ came with a bottle jack, stored sideways under the passenger seat i believe. Even without a block of wood, it's able to extend high enough to change a 35" tire.

 

That's what I always carried in the 81 Toyota pickup.
Worked with the taller tires (31 X 10.50). Stayed behind the seat and finally quit working for lack of use (25 years?). I kept a big wooden block for cribbing in the tool box. when I get it back on the road, I will a get another one of these bottle jacks.

Dave

 

Another that prefers a bottle jack. You can straighten a surprising number of components with a good chain and a bottle jack. I made a slip-over ram cap for the 20T I usually carry with a welded "U" to retain the chain for such tasks.