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Hi all.
Can somebody recommend a trolley Jack suitable for my XJS. I want one that will allow me to lift the car from the front under the bumper lifting on the front subframe. My idea is to place the Jack in the middle of the subframe and Jack up to full height then fit the stands underneath all in one go. I just don’t like using the jacking points to Jack up one side fit the stand then do the other I find it all a bit un nerving. Doing it this way will allow the job to be done in one action if you know what I mean. I’m in the uk so will need something available here. I have looked at a few and they will fit under the subframe just fine but not the spoiler. The jacks frames seem a bit to big. Any ideas.
Rob..
Hi all.
Can somebody recommend a trolley Jack suitable for my XJS. I want one that will allow me to lift the car from the front under the bumper lifting on the front subframe. My idea is to place the Jack in the middle of the subframe and Jack up to full height then fit the stands underneath all in one go. I just don’t like using the jacking points to Jack up one side fit the stand then do the other I find it all a bit un nerving. Doing it this way will allow the job to be done in one action if you know what I mean. I’m in the uk so will need something available here. I have looked at a few and they will fit under the subframe just fine but not the spoiler. The jacks frames seem a bit to big. Any ideas.
Rob..
I have a couple of foot-square 3 inch deep wood blocks and drive the front wheels on to them, then my low profile jack goes in from the front no bother.
You want what is known as a Low Profile Trolley Jack
I've got a low profile one and also a Standard Garage Trolley Jack and the Low Profile one is low enough to slide straight under the Front Spoiler, so that I can Jack up the Car from under the Front Cross Member, like you are thinking of doing which I always feel is the Safest Way
And always leave the Jack underneath just for a bit of extra 'Belt and Braces' although instead of Axle Stands which I already have, I much prefer to support the Front Cross Member on 2 Big Blocks of Hard Wood, just to make sure She can't fall
And also any time you need the Jack a little lower, on nearly all good Trolley Jacks you can remove the Round Jacking Pad to give you a bit more space
Here is a Pic of my Low Profile Trolley Jack compared to my Standard Trolley Jack so you can see the difference
In any event you need a 3 Ton Trolley Jack as anything less won't really 'Cut the Mustard'
The Sealey ones are quite well made but not very cheap. I use a 3 ton SIP Omega jack, and a 2 ton lightweight aluminium ultra-low level jack.
If you're going in from the front to the subframe, it's helpful to have quite a long-reach and fairly heavy jack such as the Sealey type that you've shown. You don't have the big bumpers on your car which eases the problem but if you can get a jack with a saddle height under 80mm, you can get anywhere on the XJS. Have a look at 2.5 & 3 ton range from SGS. They have a very similar design and style to the Sealey ones but at 1/2 the price. Some of their equipment isn't at all bad. See here: 2.5 Ton Low Profile Garage Trolley Jack (sgs-engineering.com)
Costco sells Arcan jacks in both their UK and US stores. I've had the all steel one for more than a decade and their aluminum hybrid jack for about 5 years. Both are great reliable jacks and the costco deal represents great value.. Mine lift cars much heavier than an XJS.
Right lads. I have decided and this is due to being tight that I don’t actually need a low profile Jack. 4 small planks under the front wheels is a lot cheaper than a new Jack and it allows me to use my nearly new std 3ton Jack. I have however just ordered a new set of 3ton Sealey stands which should arrive in the next couple of days. I think I will make the planks into mini ramps and permanently fix them to the floor so when I back the Jag into the garage the front wheels will always be in the right position for jacking.
Rob.
Remember that the bottom of that front subframe is prone to getting dented by jacks. Consider using a suitable block of wood to spread the load of the jack pad?
Even my low entry trolley jack will not clear the front spoiler on my car. The front will reach the subframe OK but then not enough space to work the lifting handle under the spoiler. Like you I am a little wary of the jacking points to support the full weight of the car so I just use them to raise the car body an inch or so and that enables me to work the trolley jack handle to do the serious lifting. To lower the car I just reverse the process.
Think I might look for a couple of planks to go under the wheels next time though!
Trolley Jack
that I don’t actually need a low profile Jack. 4 small planks under the front wheels is a lot cheaper than a new Jack and it allows me to use my nearly new std 3ton Jack. I have however just ordered a new set of 3ton Sealey stands which should arrive in the next couple of days. I think I will make the planks into mini ramps and permanently fix them to the floor so when I back the Jag into the garage the front wheels will always be in the right position for jacking. 
