I'm nearing the end point of my resto and need to get a jack in case of emergency. What do y'all recommend, scissor or bottle? Obviously it's got to be nice and small to fit in the very limited space I have under the boot board between the spare wheel and the battery.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the scissor, but interested to know what people reckon.

_________________
Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

For a mini??? I reckon for a mini you can't go past the original type. Easy up and down although I carry a ratchet socket which is a bit quicker than the normal handle. Got mine from John Smidt for around $20 - but probably down to his last container of them now.

Stores nice and flat as well.

_________________
Dave K.
1979 Moke Californian + 1981 'Coke' Moke

Yeah the original jacks are cool, you can jack up both wheels on one side sitting inside the mini Show me another car that can do that...

As for original jacks, make sure the hole in the sill is good, and the little lift arm on the jack isn't worn, i've had one let go and it shot out sideways and nearly got my leg.

Otherwise, i'd suggest a scissor jack only for compact size and they don't have the possible issues of air in hydraulics. They are ok to change the odd tyre but not for regular use, i don't trust them generally.

And as always, never go under a car on a jack alone.

_________________
Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

Thanks boys. I've got a trolley jack for the garage, so this one would just be for emergencies. At this stage, I think the scissor is getting my vote.

_________________
Cheers, Matt

Don't be fooled, Gruhms is not my real name.

original jack is best, and fits nicely between the spare wheel and the back of the boot



yeah, take someone with you

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

I have my original jack in the boot, but to be honest, the thought of having to use it at the side of the road for a tyre swap scares the bejesus outta me

where are the proper jacking points as when I've used it in the past it looks like the whole car is hanging up off no more than a cm or so of lip!

but, I guess that is the Mini way eh?!

If you run your hand along the sill, there is a square recess about 1/3 of the way back from the front wheel on each side of the car. The matching part on the jack goes in the hole. Just make sure it is engaging properly on the way up and and reposition the jack if it isn't.

_________________
Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

I modified a Mini one by taking it a part and putting the tongue on to a Ford Escort jack thread and you will have a mini style one with a built in handle.

Always have the door open when you jack the car up otherwise you will scratch your door

Also if you are using a mini one put a few extra welds on the foot and its top as they are poorly welded together. I had one fail once, scary (also dented my door)

I got a scissor jack from super crap for Molly and ive used it For the odd tyre change in the driveway and when i got a flat going to a track day.
Works fine if used correctly.
And stores neatly under my back seat..

_________________
2000 Holden Rodeo TD - The Daily
1998 JDM Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V -The Weekender
1977 Leyland Mini 998cc, 1293cc in the works - The project
1977 Leyland Mini Van - Sold
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe - Sold
2004 MINI Cooper S Chilli - Sold

original gets my vote, you just can't beat its simplicity and effectiveness. I always set the jack so the foot is slightly in when first applying the lifting pressure, this way the jack is prepedicular when full lift is applied. Less chance of failure this way.

_________________
"Investing my Super in a Cooper" &
"Re-living my Surfing Past in a Woody"

I have to admit when I first tried the original jack I tried to have the arm horizontal - even welded a piece under the arm to keep it nice and straight. It would sort of go up to a point when the car would slide off the arm. What a piece of s@#t I thought until the old bloke down the road dropped by and used it the correct way with the arm facing upwards into the jacking point. Oh - right so thats how it works
I only mention this in case others have made the same mistake.

_________________
Dave K.
1979 Moke Californian + 1981 'Coke' Moke

Nice shoes.

_________________
http://www.flickr.com/by_dan
Current: 1970 Mini K 2014 Focus ST
Past: 93 Rover, 64 850, 97 Rover, 66 Deluxe, 66 Moke
81 Austin Estate, 2006 R53MCS, 66 Deluxe, 1978 Clubbie
2014 Land Rover Defender 90

Don't you know that you only ever get a flat tyre when you are dressed in your best clothes.