I am about to purchase a Hi Jack Lift, however, I'm wondering if I should purchase the 48" or 60" model. I am currently running the OME 850/863 (2.5") lift on my 95LC. The price between both models is not that much different so I was thinking of going with the 60". Comments would be appreciated.
Go bigger! I used it today, might as well have the extra length, better to have and not need than to need and not have. Storage could make decision but theres room! I lifted my cruiser off ground to stack logs underneath my tires, I was high centered. I didn't need the whole length but you never know when you will!
Any idea what site or store might have the best prices on the jacks? I'm looking at a 60" Hi Jack All Cast on Amazon for $74 with free shipping. I think that is a good price.
Go with the extreme Hi-Lift 60" and get the base and additional SLEE adapter that allows for a secure fit on slider tubes and aftermarket bumpers. DO NOT look to save a couple bucks on this recovery gear and learn it's function to use it properly, this can not be stressed enough.
Go with the extreme Hi-Lift 60" and get the base and additional SLEE adapter that allows for a secure fit on slider tubes and aftermarket bumpers. DO NOT look to save a couple bucks on this recovery gear and learn it's function to use it properly, this can not be stressed enough.
In addition to not going cheap when buying, get some practice first before you have to use it for real. The Hi-Lift is a tricky beast. It can get you out of a world of hurt, as well as put you in a world of hurt.
I was lucky enough to learn working on the farm as a kid. Must have reminded me about safety enough -- I still have all 10 fingers, knock on wood
The only real pain with the 60" model is that it's harder to store. If you can figure that out, go for it (and it's easy to nip a couple of inches off with a hack saw if it needs a trim to fit.)
Thanks for all the replies. I'm definitely going with the 60 along with the slee bumper lift adapter, neoprene jack cover, handle keeper, hi jack lift mate, and base. I think I covered everything.
I'll throw one out just to be different. A truck on a hi-lift can be a dangerous thing. I have used my 48" HLJ more times than I care to count. I've seen trucks slip off and really hurt the situation, and people. Hell, we had a club member take a handle to the underside of his jaw while changing tires in a parking lot.
In any case the key is to limit the downward travel of the axle so you DON'T have to lift that high in a bad situation. Throw a ratchet strap from the axle to the frame, then jack up with the HLJ. This will keep the vehicle lower and possibly more stable.
Also the "Extreme" HLJ is a total marketing gimmic. If you take the time to look at the specs of the extreme to the regular old HLJ they are identical in all aspects. Talk to a 4WD shop about them and you will find out that the finish is more prone to corrosion than the regular one. They do look pretty though.
As I have a stock 80 and don't ever plan on lifting her, so I went with a 48" HLJ. I usually only have it with me on long road trips and camping/overland trips. Otherwise she sits in the garage, due to that fact it is dead weight and could easily kill someone in the 80 if ever in accident if it weren't secured properly, which should always be done!
I'll throw one out just to be different. A truck on a hi-lift can be a dangerous thing. I have used my 48" HLJ more times than I care to count. I've seen trucks slip off and really hurt the situation, and people. Hell, we had a club member take a handle to the underside of his jaw while changing tires in a parking lot.
In any case the key is to limit the downward travel of the axle so you DON'T have to lift that high in a bad situation. Throw a ratchet strap from the axle to the frame, then jack up with the HLJ. This will keep the vehicle lower and possibly more stable.
Also the "Extreme" HLJ is a total marketing gimmic. If you take the time to look at the specs of the extreme to the regular old HLJ they are identical in all aspects. Talk to a 4WD shop about them and you will find out that the finish is more prone to corrosion than the regular one. They do look pretty though.
I've had quite a few high lift mishaps, almost always involved snow or mud.
Hand stuck between the top of the jack and the body panels. luckily had thick gloves on.
Jack tipped and tore into the body panels.
or jack slips and kicks out from under, and rig drops.
I've almost always gotten out, but they sure are unstable especially when using them for recovery. Proper technique doesn't really apply in a lot of situations. The best you can do is stay out of the way of both the jack and the rig.
