ARB Bushranger X-Jack test on my Bronco Raptor

[JohnGalt]

After two recent blowouts in the middle of nowhere Nevada desert and the long lasting memory of throwing the bead off my front tire in deep snow, I’ve been looking for better/additional jacking solution. I arrived at the ARB Bushranger X-Jack. It can handle low clearance and soft surface situations (snow, sand, mud) better than traditional jacks. After my test run, I like it and will keep it.

Only makes sense (to me) if you have onboard air, exhaust pipe option has some challenges. It weighs about 17 lbs including carry case and all the extras. 5” deep and 25” diameter, so it’s fairly compact, stows up right or flat. Sets up easy, and much simpler to stow than the OEM scissor jack for sure!

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[seananigans]

this looks cool. I need to fix my arb dual air compressor and set it up somewhere and get this.

 

[B22-2023]

I have one too with a dual onboard compressor, works great. But I feel it is bulky to store for long trips where camping gear is getting jammed in. Until I get a roof rack it mostly stays home.

@seananigans my ARB compressor is tucked up underneath unlike a lot of others - works out great. I’ll PM you pics if you want.

 

[JohnGalt]

this looks cool. I need to fix my arb dual air compressor and set it up somewhere and get this.

if your looking for ideas…..

mounted on my ADD rear molles. Molles are super sturdy and have a ton of room for stashing emergency clothes, sleeping bag, first aid kit etc. betwen them and window. compressor stays cool, dry, accessible. avoided adding more weight (I’ve got a 38” tire and Trailgater table) on the tailgate. No room under hood with Raptor. Thinking about adding a hose reel next.

 

[seananigans]

I have one too with a dual onboard compressor, works great. But I feel it is bulky to store for long trips where camping gear is getting jammed in. Until I get a roof rack it mostly stays home.

@seananigans my ARB compressor is tucked up underneath unlike a lot of others - works out great. I’ll PM you pics if you want.

Hmm, mine was under hood and I got stuck in a big water mud pit and it ended up breaking the compressor. Have you gone in any water with it underneath?

I hear ya on trips. MY gf and I + doggos don't do much camping out here in NJ, mostly road trips and day trips to a off road spot. I've had to change my tire once so far but I also broke my axle and wheel hub on driver front side but didn't realize it since it was dark and drove it 2 hours.

I have a small pump jack I used to change my rear passenger tire after I got winched out but this giant bubble thing looks better. I'm surprised my small pump jack worked since it is small and didn't sink too much next to the mud pit. Then I went crazy with suspension and other mods to be more prepared incase I get stuck again like that ha.

 

[seananigans]

if your looking for ideas…..

mounted on my ADD rear molles. Molles are super sturdy and have a ton of room for stashing emergency clothes, sleeping bag, first aid kit etc. betwen them and window. compressor stays cool, dry, accessible. avoided adding more weight (I’ve got a 38” tire and Trailgater table) on the tailgate. No room under hood with Raptor. Thinking about adding a hose reel next.

I was thinking of doing this. I have molle in the same area from another but cheaper brand (i do have ADD rear bumper). Not sure if it has the necessary holes for bolts. Any issue with the vibration or heat it generates when on with the window right there?

 

[B22-2023]

Hmm, mine was under hood and I got stuck in a big water mud pit and it ended up breaking the compressor. Have you gone in any water with it underneath?

I hear ya on trips. MY gf and I + doggos don't do much camping out here in NJ, mostly road trips and day trips to a off road spot. I've had to change my tire once so far but I also broke my axle and wheel hub on driver front side but didn't realize it since it was dark and drove it 2 hours.

I have a small pump jack I used to change my rear passenger tire after I got winched out but this giant bubble thing looks better. I'm surprised my small pump jack worked since it is small and didn't sink too much next to the mud pit. Then I went crazy with suspension and other mods to be more prepared incase I get stuck again like that ha.

It and the tank are under the rear seat pan and the inlets are routed to the cab. Plenty of deep water crossings and massive mud trails, no issues. I check it every trip, hose it off lightly if it needs it for some surface dust.

 

[seananigans]

It and the tank are under the rear seat pan and the inlets are routed to the cab. Plenty of deep water crossings and massive mud trails, no issues. I check it every trip, hose it off lightly if it needs it for some surface dust.

Thats a really cool spot! Damn, how did mine break tucked under the hood. I gotta take it apart and work with ARB support to get the parts that broke replaced.

 

[JohnGalt]

I was thinking of doing this. I have molle in the same area from another but cheaper brand (i do have ADD rear bumper). Not sure if it has the necessary holes for bolts. Any issue with the vibration or heat it generates when on with the window right there?

if your molles aren’t rock solid, I’m not sure I’d install it on the molles. That twin is surprisingly heavy for its size. These ADD are stout due to the bent design (which creates stuff space). I can rock mt Raptor with fingers in the Molle with no movement.

my friend actually asked same temp question and brought a thermometer on our last trip. I don’t recall the temp but it was quite cool airing up my 37s (at the time) and I felt comfortable leaving stuff, stuffed behind it at that temp.

i bought a mounting bracket to attach. If you’re really interested in that or other considerations on ADDs, DM me. But if you’re handy it wouldnt be too hard to fab one

 

[seananigans]

if your molles aren’t rock solid, I’m not sure I’d install it on the molles. That twin is surprisingly heavy for its size. These ADD are stout due to the bent design (which creates stuff space). I can rock mt Raptor with fingers in the Molle with no movement.

my friend actually asked same temp question and brought a thermometer on our last trip. I don’t recall the temp but it was quite cool airing up my 37s (at the time) and I felt comfortable leaving stuff, stuffed behind it at that temp.

i bought a mounting bracket to attach. If you’re really interested in that or other considerations on ADDs, DM me. But if you’re handy it wouldnt be too hard to fab one

Will do! I try to do DIY as much as possible, but I'm in an apartment and don't have space or equipment to fab anything. I'm replacing my CAI with an injen one tomorrow so I'll see if the molle panel I have seems sturdy enough to handle it. The air compressor definitely has some weight to it.

 

[Smocaine]

I've been very interested in this type of jack. It seems like if it works well, it would be far more versatile in varying road or off-road conditions than the standard mechanical or hydraulic jacks. My only concern about this style is long-term durability, thinking about all the leaky air mattresses I've slept on.

 

[JohnGalt]

I've been very interested in this type of jack. It seems like if it works well, it would be far more versatile in varying road or off-road conditions than the standard mechanical or hydraulic jacks. My only concern about this style is long-term durability, thinking about all the leaky air mattresses I've slept on.

It’s a risk for sure. They also recommend inflating it every 6 months to ensure longevity, something to consider. I always carry some super thick bath mats for cargo padding, winch damper, etc that I intend to use to protect it from any sharp rocks. Cargo mat and floor mats are another handy option. Only time will tell.

 

[SROC3]

The mount I use for my ARB-style compressor is GREAT for interior, trunk installation. It is simple, engineered very well to handle shaking and constant vibrations. The way it is mounted to the frame is key. You can also opt for either passenger OR drivers side mount in the rear. And oh yeah - ITS VERY AFFORDABLE (no Bronco Tax)
https://americanadventurelab.com/product/rear-bronco-dual-arb-compressor-mount-drivers-side/

I actually came across this by accident months ago. This company is very low key and seemingly doesn't do much advertising. I do drive fairly fast on trails and a lot of them are not smooth so there is a LOT of shaking going on. I previously created/machined something very similar in design to the mount that another company had - which used 3 spacers to connect to the frame. I basically cracked 2 of 3 nut hole connection-points from all the shaking. It's not a good design. I decided to just purchase this instead. This one is solid, costs WAY less than any competitors, and is very easy to install.

I also made a cutout for the switch and used the ARB bracket for the hose coupler - so it faces the rear, pointed at the tailgate. I like that my hose line does not have to kink prior to exiting the vehicle. Also......you might have noticed.....that is NOT an ARB one but a china knockoff from AMAZON (https://a.co/d/3eoSBMH). I got this one for testing as I developed the previous bracket, but now that the brushless one is coming out from ARB, I'm going to wait for that one instead BUT - this one has performed like a rockstar and I even have aired-up two vehicles, one after the other with no issues. I go trialing once or twice a week too.

 

[gjptennis]

if your looking for ideas…..

mounted on my ADD rear molles. Molles are super sturdy and have a ton of room for stashing emergency clothes, sleeping bag, first aid kit etc. betwen them and window. compressor stays cool, dry, accessible. avoided adding more weight (I’ve got a 38” tire and Trailgater table) on the tailgate. No room under hood with Raptor. Thinking about adding a hose reel next.

I like that mount spot but was concerned about cabin noise when airing back up. up here in the northeast, it gets cold this time of year and not sure my wife would enjoy the sweet song of the ARB serenading her.

I did install the Apex reel system. I ran air line from the compressor under the hood (realize this is not an option for the Raptor) down through the frame, across and up through where the driver side tail light is and went through the gasket behind the tail light. works awesome and its quick. I had a two hose system but carrying all of those hoses was not enjoyable. now it's permanently there and all I have to do is unreel the hose to air up, reel it back in when done and on the road home.

 

[SROC3]

I like that mount spot but was concerned about cabin noise when airing back up. up here in the northeast, it gets cold this time of year and not sure my wife would enjoy the sweet song of the ARB serenading her.

I did install the Apex reel system. I ran air line from the compressor under the hood (realize this is not an option for the Raptor) through the frame, across and up through where the driver side tail light is went through the gasket behind the tail light. works awesome and its quick. I had a two hose system but carrying all of those hoses was not enjoyable. now it's permanently there and all I have to do is unreel the hose to air up, reel it back in when done and on the road home.

"....sweet song serenading her..." hahahahahahaha!!! I actually was concerned in the beginning - but none of my passengers have complained of the "hum" so far. Its not bad really. and yeah....that APEX system is SWEET man. I thought of that too. But as cumbersome as carrying two hoses is - it's technically better than my previous situation of having to pop my hood, connect my compressor, run the hoses......etc. Maybe in the future I might pop for that APEX Reel System. I have the APEX wheel valves and those are AMAZING - 8 seconds from 35psi to 18psi. Crazy.

EDIT: I just realized how long and kinda off topic my other post was - apologies to the OP @JohnGalt . I didn't' mean to jack the thread w/ the ARB mount topic.

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