Hi Jack Lift 48" or 60"

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To add, if youre gonna keep it outside your van invest in some lube (I use fluid film) and one of the neoprene hilift jack covers. Ive had one mounted on the bedbar of my tacoma for a while now without the cover and its gone to s*%t. Even with frequent lubes its gonna need a rebuild since the last 3 or 4 times Ive used it i had to f around to get it to lower. The UV's seem to kick the crap out of the paint and mine is now an awesome shade of pink....

The one on my 60 is mounted on the front bumper with the neoprene cover. No rust under the cover and the jack works great.

Heres a pic of the interior mount i did up for the 80.

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D
 
I agree about covering it up if mounted outside of the vehicle. Make sure it's lubed up and ready to go before venturing off road and carry a can of Liquid Wrench or WD40. The climbing pins at times stick and need a little spray to free 'em up.:)
 
I went backwards, had a 60'' which I liked for my 60,now I got thru JC Whitney a 48" Extreme, in my case is more practical the 48, I keep it inside the truck.:cheers:
 
ive already bent a 48" on my 80. the 80 is so heavy. u must strap the axle to the frame before you jack-the 48" is fine if you do so. but the HLJ is straight up dangerous

i now carry a lighweight 4000 lb aluminum racing jack and a highlift. if you are changing a tire forget the highlift. the racing jack is so much safer.

if u must use a HLJ:
just get a tree strap and wrap it up around the axle and then the frame a couple times and connect it with a dring--now do a lot less jacking.

if you need all 60" of highlift you didn't strap your axle and you need to.
 
Dusty said:
ive already bent a 48" on my 80. the 80 is so heavy. u must strap the axle to the frame before you jack-the 48" is fine if you do so. but the HLJ is straight up dangerous...
SNIP
if you need all 60" of highlift you didn't strap your axle and you need to.
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Well, maybe. Depends how far down in you're stuck, how soft the ground is, obstructions to the side, etc. On level ground it's easy to think 48" is a whole lot of jack -- but often it's not on the trail. Sometimes having an extra foot would have made a difference, as all my experience has been with the 48" model.

I would agree on using great care when using the Hi-Lift and that it's probably possible to bend one with an 80. On the other hand, bending one is really difficult, especially if you're taking care to use it safely. The ones I used on my uncle and aunt's farm -- just across the river from the Hi-Lift factory in Bloomfield, Indiana BTW -- were olllldddd. I can remember using a parts kits to rebuild one, but despite the abuse they saw on an almost daily basis, never saw one bent.

True, any heavy load lifted high in the air, then perhaps shifted sideways, is something dangerous and should be done only if you have a good handle on exactly what's going to happen. Thus my suggestion on getting some practice. It can look very easy, and it is when things go right, but only if no one and nothing gets hurt in the process.
 
greentruck said:
Well, maybe. Depends how far down in you're stuck, how soft the ground is, obstructions to the side, etc. On level ground it's easy to think 48" is a whole lot of jack -- but often it's not on the trail. Sometimes having an extra foot would have made a difference, as all my experience has been with the 48" model.

I would agree on using great care when using the Hi-Lift and that it's probably possible to bend one with an 80. On the other hand, bending one is really difficult, especially if you're taking care to use it safely. The ones I used on my uncle and aunt's farm -- just across the river from the Hi-Lift factory in Bloomfield, Indiana BTW -- were olllldddd. I can remember using a parts kits to rebuild one, but despite the abuse they saw on an almost daily basis, never saw one bent.

True, any heavy load lifted high in the air, then perhaps shifted sideways, is something dangerous and should be done only if you have a good handle on exactly what's going to happen. Thus my suggestion on getting some practice. It can look very easy, and it is when things go right, but only if no one and nothing gets hurt in the process.
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As for me, like I said had both 48 and 60". I don't use them like for changing a tire, at least on the trail, a small floor jack and a large piece of plywood works better. The times I have lifted my trucks I realize that you have to be very careful with the Hi-Lift, they are not the most stable jacks. My extreme has been used more as a tool (clamp/spreader) around the shop and my sister in law's farm more that on the trail. If I'm on the trail and need it aka, getting stuck, the winch or a recovery strap (my friends) works a lot better. I don't understand how can you bend one of these beasts!:beer:
 
Landcruiser97, what tie down are you using on your brush guard?
 
Good info been wanting to pick up a HLJ. And a big question is 48 or 60''. Was talking with a friend of mine and saw a 60'' go through the right rear window of an 80; he also said be careful. Really like the axle strapping to the frame, that makes a lot of sense. Was also planning on storing the jack on the tire carrier; so a cover will be important as well as lube. I'll have the :princess: lube the shaft. Thanks guys now I just need about 2 bills to buy all the HLJ junk - holder, cover, lube, base plate ect.
 
I suspect that's interesting news to those who've used the Hi-lift to extract their 80 series from a stuck.

Kind of hard to pick up an entire Land Cruiser with a Hi-Lift. You might be able to get it up and balanced on one wheel (very much not recommended, as that would be even more unstable than is typical with a HLJ), but that's still less than 7,000 lbs on the jack.
 
I say use hilift when it is only option. Be careful around them and stay clear. Sometimes that is only option though. I definitely would not use it if your at home and feel like changing a tire but for trail use sometimes there needed!
 
Just the opposite? Use it in a "controlled" environment such as the drive way, practice and practice safe technique,... what makes the hi-lift so dangerous is lack of experience, just like the winch and any other recovery gear that maybe unfamiliar, etc....


julstirn said:
I say use hilift when it is only option. Be careful around them and stay clear. Sometimes that is only option though. I definitely would not use it if your at home and feel like changing a tire but for trail use sometimes there needed!
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Julian-

The Hi-Lift is just another tool to use in a recovery situation and if practice takes place in the driveway with jack stands to change/rotate tires then I would say that you are way farther ahead of others that just oranmant their rigs with them...
 
I plan to carry both. Actually just the 60" bar for use with my 48" complete, when needed. I carry mine disassembled, for ease of storage and protection from elements & thieves. The 60" bar will probably go outside, though. I grew up using the HLJ with my Dad, who worked for the BLM, and his crews. Those of us who have used them know what a beast they can be. Like a winch cable, the HLJ must be respected. Even if you practice in your driveway, be sure you include an experienced user the first time or two. Depending on the situation, it can be the last resort, only resort or best resort. But, when in use, safety always!

As a side note, I agree with Dusty on the use of the HLJ with an 80. IMHO the HLJ should be used sparingly and with extreme caution due to how heavy the 80's are. I believe when they were conceived, a much lighter vehicle was in mind.
 
Love the zip lines man. We used the one in the back of the taco to stretch out the one we made. It goes from an island to the shore of my buddies camp, maybe 300'?.. Ive used mine for everything from jacking up a boathouse to jacking a deck.

Youll end up using it more for odd jobs than to lift your van lol.

D
 
I read somewhere here that somebody is talking about spending close to $200.00 if I'm not mistaken. Check J.C. Whitney. I got mine from them, I live in an island and they shipped to me via USPS, price: $130.00 including shipping for a 48" HL Extreme. Prior that I ordered a 60" and it was shipped for less than $100.00, so I figure for you guys stateside shipping would be a lot cheaper. Now they don't carry the extreme. :steer:


HI-LIFT CAST & STEEL JACKS - 48" OR 60" HEIGHTS - JCWhitney
 
I like the Hi-Lift 48" model. It fits horizontally in the rear cargo area and doesn't take up too much room.

It is a very good piece of gear and I am a big fan of its clamping and winching features.:wrench:
 
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