HI-LIFT Jacking

[yeti in ga]

Never needed it but then, got stuck in a bad spot and our only choice is to jack and stack rocks to clear the diff..

But I agree everyone should play with it at home before getting stuck and then figuring it out.

Check out the professionals..

Angle from the other side.. there was no backing up.

Took winching with two trucks pulling (Fj40 , 100s) and the jack to get out and up.....

 

[gaijin]

I don't own a hi-lift, but I think I will be getting an X-Jack and some X-Tracks before I get a hi-lift..

I own and have used the X-Jack for lifting my vehicles - it is a truly elegant bit of kit.

Use it on any terrain, any surface, low pressure, inflate with either exhaust or air compressor, very stable - no surprises, just stellar performance.

OK, it won't re-seat a bead and it makes a less than satisfactory self-defense weapon, but for lifting it can't be beat.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

But the X-Jack is $230!.. It looks like a cool jack though.

 

[jonharis]

Has anyone here tried the Safe Jack? http://www.overlandexpo.com/overland-tech-travel/2012/12/15/transform-your-hi-lift-jack.html

First about jacks. IMO a highlift is a mandatory piece if equipment for wheeling. Period. It's an incredibly powerful and versatile tool and when used correctly, very safe. Accidents and injuries are nearly always user error. Like anything, one must practice using it. Also, the more you use the jack the better it will run. As paint wears out, parts slide smoother. I actually used a wire wheel to remove all the paint from the two sliding surfaces on the shaft as well as polishing the pin perches, both making for smoother action. A highlift never needs power or a running vehicle and can be mounted in dozens of places.

Now to the Safe Jack. I would argue again that a piece if equipment like that is unnecessary and over complicated after seeing and experimenting with one both. Again a properly used jack is already safe. Get the hilift base for more stability in an uncomplicated package. The big negative about the Safe Jack is that in its current form, it's inherently unsafe. It will not allow the jack handle to be stowed upright while in use, which is the safest position for the handle once something is lifted.

I also recommend ditching the top clamp that comes with the Jack and getting a Jack Mate
http://www.rescue42roc.com/jackmate.html

FWIW, the regular and the Xtreme are identical in every other way except for the top clamp and handle from the regular All-Cast jack. Get the, regular and with the savings, get the Jack Mate. So you get a zinc coated handle....who cares, these things will last 100 years already. Get the 60" if you can.

My $0.02

 

[jonharis]

Dear Everybody... Please use this picture of an example of what not to do.

Edit: After another year of using a highlift extensively, I've modified my original statement. While I still do not think this is the most safe work environment, I think he is taking some precautions. You still wouldn't see me under the truck without more protection than that. Original post "Strongly disagree with this statement. He has redundancy, the jack is properly stowed, fully upright and he is staying clear of things.

 

[TrekboxX]

Unless I'm missing something, this is exactly the wrong way to use a hi-lift. I see a bottle holding the axel up but no supports for the body frame. You should never get under a truck that is held up this way. I see the wheel that may stop things in a slip but I would not feel comfortable with it. It looks like you made the best of the situation but damn.....

Strongly disagree with this statement. He has redundancy, the jack is properly stowed, fully upright and he is staying clear of things.

I'm confused.

I don't use a hi-lift, but I'm sure they sure are both handy and dangerous. Grew up on a horse ranch and never used one then, either. "Farm jack" my ass! I shied away from them from the beginning when some pretty hard core off roaders heavily advised me to get a really good bottle jack instead. And they did have good reasons, especially when not being used on a tube buggy, etc. I'm sure I'll need one someday, but hopefully I'll be near someone who has one and knows how to use it safely.

 

[jonharis]

The "Hard core offroaders" did have a good point about the bottle jack. It's also a required piece of equipment and I agree it's the first thing I look to for changing a tire. But for many situations it will be inadequate and much less versatile.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The "Hard core offroaders" did have a good point about the bottle jack. It's also a required piece of equipment and I agree it's the first thing I look to for changing a tire. But for many situations it will be inadequate and much less versatile.

I've only used the hi lift once. I grab one of http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005these if I have them with me.

 

[Griffin]

used my hilift handle as a cheater bar on more than one occasion, breaking loose tight lug nuts and the such.

Just thought I'd throw that in there....

 

[highonpottery]

View attachment 756222

Now that's a fancy bottle jack Might have to pick one of those up now!

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Now that's a fancy bottle jack Might have to pick one of those up now!

It goes up fairly high. At 2.5" lift with 295s, It's getting close to not being able to lift a tire off the ground when jacking from the frame. I have 2 of them and have been using them for 2 years without issue. Not too expensive either. $50 each.

 

[canman]

I was using my Hi-Lift yesterday to lift the front end of my 80 series. I had the rear axle on jack stands and wanted to lift the front axle/ wheels off the ground to check my diff locks. I was using the Hi-Lift on the winch plate of my home brew front bumper. As the front tires began to come off the ground the jack and entire vehicle began to shift sideways = very scary (it's not easy to start lowering it quickly like a hydraulic jack). I even had the jack on the plastic extended base plate. I think it may have some uses on the trail, but I would avoid using it unless it was a last resort type situation.

 

[2000UZJ]

Hi-lifts are awesome in the right hands. They may be rated for "X" amount of pounds, however they are NOT rated for lateral. If your hi-lift is not straight and is starting to bend lower the truck and re-position. If you have a bad feeling about it, it will probably be a bad feeling when it gives way. I use mine quite often. I never enjoy using it, it's one of those things in your truck that is a necessity, and it scares you. No matter how much you have used one, you should always be afraid of it. Being comfortable with a hi-lift is a disaster waiting to happen. Never let your guard down on those things. Immensely helpful, immensely dangerous.

 

[3D FJ]

I didn't see it mentioned above, perhaps i just missed it but in case i didn't, the hi-lift offroad base

Can also be used with the bottle jack. Place the bottle jack on the base, it fits within the space where the hi-lift metal base goes and there you go. You have a more solid base with a bit more height for your bottle jack.

 

[OregonLC]

It goes up fairly high. At 2.5" lift with 295s, It's getting close to not being able to lift a tire off the ground when jacking from the frame. I have 2 of them and have been using them for 2 years without issue. Not too expensive either. $50 each.

Should be easy to extend the range with some simple wood cribbing below the jack I you need to.

 

[aircros7]

I just recently bought a Radflo Hydra-Jac after reading some great reviews on it. I called and talked to Down South Motorsports and Poly Performance and both places told me it would be about 4-5 weeks I happened to find a place that had it in stock and was able to get it the same week. I paid 398.00 + shipping the number where I got it is 203-210-7200

It really is a great product and I would highly recommend this over any high lift jack as the Radflo Jack seemed alot more secure and feels like it is made of very good material.

 

[hoser]

I'm not sure the 2200 lb capacity on the radflo jack is going to do it long term.

 

[aircros7]

I'm not sure the 2200 lb capacity on the radflo jack is going to do it long term.

I would highly recommend calling that number and talking to Aaron.
He laid out the several different jacks they had and gave me the benefit and negatives of each one. The good thing with the Hydra-Jac if it does happen to wear out in a few years its completely re buildable. I also like how much safer and more stable it is than a regular High Lift Jacwk

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Funny that you're recommending them and also selling 10 of them but make it sound like you bought it from a store but then you're the store . . . .

For $400 I can buy a Hi-lift, an exhaust jack, a bottle jack, and lunch.

 

[aircros7]

Funny that you're recommending them and also selling 10 of them but make it sound like you bought it from a store but then you're the store . . . .

For $400 I can buy a Hi-lift, an exhaust jack, a bottle jack, and lunch.

I run a little something on the side and wanted to buy some Hydra-Jac's but Radflo wanted a buy in and I was able to get 12 of them at this place for a really good deal to where I was able to re-sell them and make some money. Part of the agreement was that I would give the place I got it from a good word on the forums.


It is a little expensive but it is a hell of alot better than a "high lift jack" that is why most off road race teams and trophy trucks/class 1 buggies use the Hydra-jac. With jacks you kind of get what you pay for.