Jacks are a safety critical device and jacking up the Discovery can be tricky. The supplied scissor jack appears to be just capable of doing the task and I for one wouldn’t want to be relying solely on it.
Based on the above, I bought a bottle jack.
Not the Sprinter one many on here advocate but price is good and comes in a nice compact storage case.
What it doesn’t have is ability to add the adapter available for the Sprinter jack … so I thought I’d have a go at making one. 😊
Design criteria :
1. Needs the ~10mm protrusion as per the scissor jack
2. Has to sit around the top of the bottle jack ( on the one I bought, you can’t remove the top bit nor totally unscrew the top section to fit an alternative )
Aim was also to keep it cheap to make and easy to copy if anyone wants to as I have no intention of making them for anyone.
This means we’re looking for something like this …
I’d decided to use an old socket as the sleeve to go over the jack head but none of the ones I had laying around were a snug fit. Found one in B&Q clearance for about 60p … 24mm and ½” drive.
With hindsight, it was too small as grinding out the splines took ages (Dremel chainsaw sharpener bits are ideal for this) so if you make one, try and find an exact fit.
The socket had quite a deep section for the ratchet to go in to, so I sliced a piece off with an angle grinder … the though being I didn’t want to make this thing so tall I wouldn’t be able to easily get the jack in place with it on top.
3/8” drive might also have been better than ½” for the next bit.
For the ~10mm nipple on top, I used a high tensile bolt that had a flange … fairly sure it was a seatbelt bolt from my D1 … and the hex head itself was removed with the angle grinder. Picked this one as it was a slightly tighter fit in the ½” square hole than my 2nd choice … seatbelt bolt from 1975 Hillman Hunter (we all have those laying about, don’t we ?)
If the socket had been 3/8” then I reckon the bolt could have been pressed into the hole with none or minimal widening and would have been solid enough to not need anything to keep it there.
Note … when I say keep it there, it’s only when NOT being used. With it in use, nipple keeps bolt upright, weight of car is on the socket and traps bolt between socket and top of jack.
As mine had slight movement, I filled the gaps with epoxy. If you copy this … just use Araldite or similar. I made the mistake of using the industrial grade stuff I got off forum member Philm … had a little bit left from the temporary fix of my roofbar back in February. Took me nearly as long to grind out the excess of this stuff as it did to grind out the splines !!!
You can tell when you have the fit right when it leaves paint from the top of the jack on the bit of the bolt seen looking into the socket.
Finished product looks like this
And fits like this …
If you make one, DO NOT SCREW OUT the top section of the jack as you can end up like this if the car moves.
… which I found out the hard way. Luckily, it still held the car securely but I won’t be repeating that exercise.
Added bonus was that the adapter fits neatly in the case the jack lives in.
If you fancy making one be aware that whilst I think this adapter is good and safe, it’s up to you to decide if both the design is good AND your version is safe to use..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
Last edited by Hardware on 26th Jul 2018 7:35 am. Edited 1 time in total
Neat just bought the same jack and been wondering how to do just the same. Off to my man cave got a box of odd sockets in there so should find a suitable one to use.Land Rovers don't leak they just mark there spot
1973 Land Rover Series 3 110 safari Gone but not forgotten
1990 Discovery 200Tdi Gone thank god
1996 Discovery 300Tdi sadly missed (still going strong but not with me)
2003 Discovery TD5 Gone to LR heaven
2004 Discovery TD5 Gone to Aberdeen hope it likes it there
2005 RRS HSE Rimini Red (my Disco 3 in a posh frock)
Think I see a pattern here
25th Jul 2018 8:02 am
Bardley
Member Since: 02 May 2018
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 469
Great Tip!
Good Post and well shared, thanks.
If anyone had a D2, then the underbonnet LR Bottle Jack does the job. Keep an eye out at Jumbles and on Ebay for a bargain.2011 MY D4 HSE
Previously 2001 D2 TD5, 1996 D1 300Tdi, 1985 90 2.2 petrol.
Bikes! KTM, BMW, British, Classics and others.
changed pic of "paint in the adapter which shows good fit" to be clearer
26th Jul 2018 7:38 am
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1505
Hi, does the D2 jack have the locating pin? CheersDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
20th Jan 2020 11:23 am
Jeffoir
Member Since: 11 Feb 2021
Location: Sydney
Posts: 16
Hi,
It does NOT have a locating pin/nipple. It does NOT have a flat/ patterned round disc.
It has a broad, shallow, stirrup shaped contact point to rest the rail on. This should stop the car rolling off the jack if there is a slight movement. See the pic.
Made by CORAM in Italy. It is a good jack. If you see one available 2nd hand and in good condition, grab it.
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... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
Neat just bought the same jack and been wondering how to do just the same. Off to my man cave got a box of odd sockets in there so should find a suitable one to use.
