Another J&S Jack Conversion
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 953
Likes: 127
From: Rome, NY
Another J&S Jack Conversion
I finally got around to changing my J&S jack over to air-power, and all I can say is it couldn't have been easier! I used the ubiquitous Strongway #46209 Air/Hydraulic bottle jack. The original poster that converted his J&S mounted the Air bottles that the manual pump lever couldn't be used. Then another poster reversed the bottle so that it could be, but used the original holes in the J&S mounting plate and had to drill & tap the base of the Strongway. Well, there's a much easier way - just remove the J&S bottle jack, set the new Strongway bottle jack in it's place. Mark 3 holes that will go through the base of the Strongway and the J&S mounting base (see pictures), then drill the Strongway base, set it in position on the J&S mounting base (I clamped it with a pair of Vice-Grips) and scribe the J&S base, remove the Strongway, then drill the J&S base. I used 1/4-20x3/4" bolts. Now I can use Air or muscle power to raise the J&S jack.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,175
From: Oxford, Nc
Nice job Op!
Last edited by Stiggy; Feb 21, 2016 at 07:16 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
I had the basic J&S for about 5 years... loved it!
Then I built myself a 350 sq. ft. shop to work on my bikes with a lift table and a compressor.
I still use the J&S, but felt silly pumping it with my foot with a compressor right there...
So I wanted to see about converting the J&S to air/hydraulic....
I called J&S, since they offer an air/hydraulic version of their jack. They said I couldn't just convert my jack because I would need to change the base plate and other parts...... hmmm
I searched & found the Strongway (#46209) 5-ton air/hydraulic bottle jack. It has about the same dimensions as the manual J&S pump.... close enough to work with.
I was able to mount it to the jack, add the handle, and now I can just wheel it around, hook a hose, and pump it up!
Not being a fabricator, I was able to make it work, but didn't figure a way to align the manual feature so it was accessible....
I posted my conversion and since then a couple of clever people have found a way to mount the bottle so the manual feature is easily accessible.
So we basically now have the air/hydraulic version of the J&S jack for about $70....
So..... "need to", absolutely not..... but "Want to", in my case, yes......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Not to demean your ingenuity, but I have 3 AIR J&S jacks. I bit the bullet, spent the extra $$$, and saved a bunch of time NOT having to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
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From: Oxford, Nc
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
I like this.
Great job in getting off of your ***. Why air? More time to drink beer in between lifting & no chance of spilling the beer, yet another added safety advantage, Win...Win!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
I didn't have a compressor when I bought the J&S jack... air wasn't an option. Once I had air, J&S was NO HELP in my attempt to convert the jack I had. Funny, the guy I talked to at J&S said that converting to air/hydraulic was a constant question... but he said it wasn't doable without totally changing the frame...
So, $549.95 for a new air/hydraulic J&S jack (I don't need 2) or $70 and a about 1 hour from start to finish to convert my J&S (including my simple mind figuring out a way to do it)....
No brainer really....
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 21, 2016 at 01:20 PM.
