Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 11:28:48 -0700
Reply-To: Matt Thyer <matt_thyer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matt Thyer <matt_thyer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Off-road style jack recommendation
In-Reply-To: <q2zeccfedcc1004081058vd935a301o60ce0a0d44fde7a1@mail.gmail.com>
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Michael,
You're thinking of the high-lift jack. They are nice, but be forewarned
they're way overkill for most Vanagon and you'll pay for all that extra
weight. Avoid buying one from a 4x4 shop if you can, they'll markup that
piece of pig iron. Rather look for a good discount store (up here I'd start
with Bi-Mart, not sure what the equivalent would be in your neck of the
woods) or a ranch and home store.
If you decide to go this route look online for mounting brackets for the
jack. Even if you have a rack it's *likely* you'll drop that chunk of metal
on your roof and gutters without the brackets sooner than later. They're
worth the investment and while you're there you can investigate the lip
extension you'll need to get it to mate with the Vanagon's lift points and
not scratch the crap out of the side of your van. After you get your jack
break out the grinder and stripping solution, the paint they put on these
things is worthless and it will rust in a couple of months if you don't
strip and repaint it. It may be rusting when you buy it.
The little VW jack that came with Zeno is going to get the boot, but I'm
probably going to replace it with a little 12 ton hydraulic lift and if I
need a way out of the mud or snow I'll carry a 2 ton Come-Along winch.
I've used both of these set ups to get myself and others out of bad spots,
the Vanagon while heavier is not nearly as heavy as my 4Runner and the
lighter set up will work 99.999% of the time.
2 pesos,
Matt
http://zenoswagen.wordpress.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 10:58 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Off-road style jack recommendation
Since I broke my OEm jack(it's only forergencuies, anyway) I am looking to
get a heavy duty jack. Thinking of the kind that you see on the jeeps that
are off-road tricked. I can clamp it on my luggage rack. Anyone have a good
lead on one that may be available locally(US) without having to ship. Will
be checking a few off-road shops around here ut would like to save a
shoe-leather. Thought the Syncro folks might have a few tips. Thanks in
advance.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
73 Beetle