HI-LIFT Jacking

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Nottajeep

Nottajeep

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Does anyone regularly use the hi-lift jack on their LC?
I thought it would be relatively easy to jack up the side using the slider tube and an adapter like the one from Overland XT OXT HiLift Adapter, but the jack keeps slipping in toward the body of the LC before I get the wheels off the ground.

Checked with Mark at MT and he confirmed his sliders can withstand jacking the vehicle using the slider tube.

Now that I read several post about the Hi-Lifts on mud, a lot of folks prefer to just avoid this kind of jack altogether and stick with something simple like the OEM bottle jack.

Thoughts?
 
I use it to get the front end off the ground. Then place jack stands underneath. I have tried using my sliders but it kept sliding. I wouldn't jack the LC from the sliders IMO. Get a nice hydraulic jack and go from the frame. I've hi-lifted from all 4 corners of my truck and non of them are fun with a hi-lift.
 
I have the sahara bar (no hi-lift points) and a slee rear without any real hi-lift points either.

I agree attempting to use the hi-lift on the sliders is dangerous to the LC and the user.
 
Use it when I have to including from my sliders...but I much prefer the OEM jack when applicable.
 
Mine is just weight I carry arround. In theory you can use it to lift the vehicle up over ruts, then push it out of the ruts, but this is just something I've seen on youtube.

The highlift is a last resort for me, if the other jack will work, I'll use the other jack, if not I'll try the highlift.
 
I've used mine several times, usually in conjunction with the following tools. Placement is key and it sometimes takes me a while to find the right location and combination of accessories. I usually start with the jack at a 10-20 degree angle away from the truck, as I lift it, the weight of the truck pulls it to the center.

Hi-Lift Lift-Mate (LM-100) - lift vehicle wheel directly from the wheel | Hi Lift Jack Company

Hi-Lift Bumper Lift (BL-250) - Equip Your Jack to Lift Curved Bumpers | Hi Lift Jack Company

I do like that OXT tool, it would be nice to have something that contours the bumper.
 
If you're lifting off a slider you pretty much have to lift the whole side of the truck, jacking right in the middle of the slider. If you go to the front or back end as the truck lifts the slider angles and it can cause the jack lip to slide.
 
^^This + wheel chocks and a lot of care, keep the kids away. Along those lines be careful when lifting the entire front or back as the jack can fall over once you are on 2 wheels and 1 point.

As jonharis above I really like the 'LM-100' that lets you lift a wheel. Can be great for getting unstuck or service on uneven terrain.

I don't use a high lift for general maintenance, only on trail happenings, and winching. Practice with the high lift is recommended before you're in a tight spot.
 
When you jack up the vehicle from the side, the slider moves in a arch (away from the jack). When you place the jack, with the hi-lifts arm just touching the slider, try kicking in the base of the jack towards the vehicle a little (~1"), so the jack is slightly off-vertical. As you jack it up, you'll see the jack will become more vertical.
 
Whenever I can I use a ratchet strap to limit axle droop when using a Hi-Lift, on any vehicle. Just loop the strap around the axle and over some solid fixed point on the frame. On the rear you can usually get around the cross member. On the front it's more difficult but it is possible.

[strike]You can also kick the base in slightly under the slider so that when the jack starts to lift it becomes more parallel with the body.[/strike] hoser beat me to it.

In general I don't screw around with A Hi-Lift on my 100. OTOH hand I don't usually get it in situations where a Hi-Lift would help.
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
So if you don't already have a hi-lift jack, is it worth getting? Seems like kind of a pain in the ass. Plus I'm not sure where to keep it when it's not in the truck.

I've got two hydraulic jack stands, those would probably work just as well if not better.
Click to expand...

Their versatility is why you see them and why they are considered basic off-road essentials. Can be a pain but a bit of trouble and a drive home beats a walk home almost every time. Most other jacks run out of range quickly in off road situations.
 
They have a lot of uses but I don't think they are really good at any one job. I bet we could come up with 100 uses for the hi-lift.

1. Straighten a tie rod
2. Break bead on tire
3. Force open a door on a rolled vehicle
4. Used as a press/clamp
5. Cheater bar
6. Self-Defense Weapon
7. ...
 
kinda beginning to think my hi lift was a waste of money

looks cool mounted though....expensive bumper sticker
 
I can attest to two issues mentioned here:

- slipping in towards body when lifting from the slider - can be avoided but takes me multiple times to get the placement right

- choke the wheels, I had mine roll forward a bit when jacking near the back and could have been a major disaster

I agree, not much of an on-road/driveway/garage tool.
 
hoser said:
When you jack up the vehicle from the side, the slider moves in a arch (away from the jack). When you place the jack, with the hi-lifts arm just touching the slider, try kicking in the base of the jack towards the vehicle a little (~1"), so the jack is slightly off-vertical. As you jack it up, you'll see the jack will become more vertical.
Click to expand...

+1

I use my hi-lift all the time to jack up my truck. In fact it is all I use. The OEM bottle jack is only used to lower things like the LCA, rear axle, etc. after everything else is jacked up and secured.

As Hoser indicated, putting the base inward is the key. I only use the slider when lifting the rear. I also lift from the slider with the 2nd row door open which is towards the end of the slider. I have never had it slip in any way. I dont use any adapters or anything. Just kick the base in with my foot and make sure the lifting point on the hi-lift is all the way in on the slider. I also use jack stands as a secondary when at home.

For the front I just use the lift points in the ARB which I see more movement than using the sliders.

Could it be the type of slider that is causing the slide people are talking about? Some have more angles then others. I have the Slee step sliders.
 
I'm afraid I'll take my head off with it or break an arm or something

How useful is it as a recover tool? Seems like you could do some significant body damage using it that way. Where are the best instructions on how to use it that way?
 
The utility of a Hi-Lift, like so many other off road accessories, varies with what you do and where you go.
If you like pushing yourself and your rig to the limits it is probably essential.
If you are more into Forest service roads and pole line roads you will probably never need one.

And everything in between those two extremes.


If you do carry a Hi-Lift make sure you also have a can of WD-40 or PB blaster. Most of the close calls I've witnessed were due to sticky mechanism. It's something that happens when you have a mechanical unit that is either stored outside the truck or even carried inside but not used often. Every time I use mine I give it a healthy hosing with some kind of spray lubricant.

The second thing you should do is learn to use it before you need it. In the middle of a stuck or breakdown is not the time to learn to use a new tool. IMHO The more you use a Hi-Lift the safer it will be.
 
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