Im still new to the off road world so please be patient. I was thinking about getting a hi-lift but some of the info has me a bit worried since I'm obviously a newbie. What jack do you guys recommend for off road if a tire change is required? The small oem jack does not look like it would get the job done unless I am in a parking lot. Any help would be appreciated
Offroad jack?
- Thread starter cuaround
- Start date
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Whatever you use make sure to bring limiting straps to secure axle to frame. This way you just have to lift the vehicle a few inches to remove a tire. Hi Lift can be great but take your time and practice in the parking lot before you need it on the trail. The factory jack can work great just make sure you have a good base.
I find that unless you have added sliders and bumpers using a hi lift can really be a pain, but the benefit of having it when you need a come along is nice.
Definitely practice with it.
One evening on a nasty hillside we had to do an axle swap we loved the hi lifts that night!
Definitely practice with it.
One evening on a nasty hillside we had to do an axle swap we loved the hi lifts that night!
X2 on practice w/ it in the driveway - also the optional base they sell isn't horrible, but not awesome. I keep a 1/4" aluminum plate (~10"x12" scrap) in the back that serves as both my "bigfoot base" & where my hot pan lands coming off the Biolite stove I run, keeps pan clean & is also a multi-use surface for whatever else comes up. Handy & cheaper.
No drawers in my 80, so it lives tucked between the rear carpet & the rear OEM cargo mat.
Slee sells their 'Jackoff' kit which if you look the wheel pick is a nice tool, the mention of sliders & armor bumpers is worth a repeat too - these jacks are really best used with them.
Really, they should rename Hi-lifts -- "finger breaker, knuckle busters" - if you mentally make a note to call it that, you'll respect it more.
And you'll never have a finger taped to its' neighbor for 2-3 wks.
No drawers in my 80, so it lives tucked between the rear carpet & the rear OEM cargo mat.
Slee sells their 'Jackoff' kit which if you look the wheel pick is a nice tool, the mention of sliders & armor bumpers is worth a repeat too - these jacks are really best used with them.
Really, they should rename Hi-lifts -- "finger breaker, knuckle busters" - if you mentally make a note to call it that, you'll respect it more.
And you'll never have a finger taped to its' neighbor for 2-3 wks.
And MAYBE you can do a search for "HiLift" or "Jack"......There have been VERY recent threads on how/why/where to buy a HiLift, and everyone discussing the what-if's and alternative uses of the OEM jack VS a hydraulic one......
X2 on practice w/ it in the driveway - also the optional base they sell isn't horrible, but not awesome.
Really, they should rename Hi-lifts -- "finger breaker, knuckle busters" - if you mentally make a note to call it that, you'll respect it more.
And you'll never have a finger taped to its' neighbor for 2-3 wks.
+1
Of all the tools I own (and I have a bunch) the two I give equal respect to are:
1. My chainsaws
2. Hi-Lift Jacks
Chainsaws will only mess you up if YOU are careless with them.
High-Lifts on the other hand seem to have a mind of their own. IF you treat them as if they are just waiting to hurt you (they are), then in most circumstances you will come out unscathed.
If you are inattentive or use one improperly (easy to do)...then expect to be 'scathed' to some degree.
RFB
97 FZJ80 LIFTED SC DUAL BATTERIES,37s
Practice practice practice, Ive used my hi lift many times, as a jack as a come along and every tme it got me out, BUT remember they are called widow makers for a reason, they can slip and that handle will hit you with all the weight it was jacking up. there are many add ons that allow the hi lift to be secured during use, meaning the jack cant tip over or shoot out from under, but the handle is the jawbreaker, use it every time as tho its wants to help you but kill you at the same time, like a crazy EX so to speak. and keep it lubed, they sit outside year round and if you want it to work, paint it and lube up the very few moving parts. JMO
This is the most recent thread on the topic and there's good discussion in there: Hi lift - best use and best place to buy
Here's a picture I posted from a few weeks ago in that thread.
Boiled down it's a tool. I find it especially helpful when I'm by myself or if I want to go backwards (since the winch is in front). And for some super crazy recoveries even with a winch or tow strap it can be useful to get the vehicle out of the mud/muck/snow and jam some traction under the tires (branches, pads, rocks, etc). It reduces a tremendous amount of drag and makes other yanking/pulling (or driving out) possible.
When the vehicle's weight is resting on the difs/axles on the snow/mud/rocks, you really need to be able to get it up and reduce the drag.
Here's a picture I posted from a few weeks ago in that thread.
- I spray the hi-lift with wd40 every week or so whether it needs it or not, definitely before and after using it.
- You'll note the aftermarket bumper that allows me to lift from that spot (and the same on the front).
- I always have a big block of wood for a jack support, and to stand on with the solar shower.
Boiled down it's a tool. I find it especially helpful when I'm by myself or if I want to go backwards (since the winch is in front). And for some super crazy recoveries even with a winch or tow strap it can be useful to get the vehicle out of the mud/muck/snow and jam some traction under the tires (branches, pads, rocks, etc). It reduces a tremendous amount of drag and makes other yanking/pulling (or driving out) possible.
When the vehicle's weight is resting on the difs/axles on the snow/mud/rocks, you really need to be able to get it up and reduce the drag.
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Never get your face over the lever of the Hi-Lift, be sure to stay off to the side. Hi-Lifts have a reputation for the lever flying up and smacking you in the face in a very bad way.
Yep. But even with that, it's not like winches and straps don't have their dangerous parts as well.
I definitely keep the jack handle firmly in my hands and try to either stand on the side and/or keep the handle a decent distance away, holding onto the very end.
Nothing wrong with being new and having patience, it is always good to recognize and ask for help versus going down to the store, buying one, and get hurt with it. The small jack is great for lifting the axle, so don't discount that as you need it to change a tire and it works great.
But, new to the offroad world, I recommend going to an offroad driving school in your area, and ask them about HiLift. Most schools will either have that as part of the class, or have specific classes for HiLift or winching and recoveries. In my opinion, the most important mod is the one to the nut behind the wheel, money well spent will take you farther and bring you home, safer than a lot of equipment.
Yep. But even with that, it's not like winches and straps don't have their dangerous parts as well.
I definitely keep the jack handle firmly in my hands and try to either stand on the side and/or keep the handle a decent distance away, holding onto the very end.
When I see the picture above, my first thought is: "That's the last time that window and side panel will remain intact." due to the HiLift. The base of the jack is too far away from the body of the truck, possibly causing the jack to kick out and jam the top into the side panel and glass.
Whenever one starts to tilt, it usually goes wrong quickly. Then the operator tries to brace it and hold it in place while the tuck/tractor/wagon/car falls off and jams the HiLift into whatever part it was on, then slides off the side and continues to inflict damage. By the time it's done, it usually has caused more damage than it's worth. At least for the first 10 times you use it. Then you really learn HOW to use it, and more importantly, how NOT to use it.
This needs to be repeated. Happened to me a few years ago. Hit me in the back of the jaw by my ear on the left side. The impact chipped a tooth on the right side. Luckily all I had was a bit of swelling. Could have been worse, A LOT worse.
A Hi-Lift is always trying to find ways to kill you. Great tool to have, but be very cautious around them.
The camera angle is a little off, but in general I'd agree that the placement of the jack matters in regards to angle against the vehicle. It actually was between the rear hatch and rear vents, so no window contact but when I popped the jack loose it dinged the paint. Operator error to be sure.
I have used a HiLift on tractors and farm implements, but I REALLY don't relish the idea of using one within arm's reach of my daily Driver. I have dropped enough heavy equipment sideways off of one as well as had some slide away from the jack, to having the jack not want to lift, or have the handle jam into the ground so I cannot let it down. (Sink the foot into the dirt so there's not enough height to let it down)
I value my DD too much for this. Maybe if all I did was beat the crap out of it on a trail and trailered it from place to place, I might have a different opinion.
And yes, ALWAYS stay to the side and away from the handle with your head. I have taken the handle at a glancing blow up side the head and that is the LAST time that will happen. For me, the HiLift is an absolute last resort.
Yet, I had carried one for YEARS in the back of my 69 Chevy K10..........
I value my DD too much for this. Maybe if all I did was beat the crap out of it on a trail and trailered it from place to place, I might have a different opinion.
And yes, ALWAYS stay to the side and away from the handle with your head. I have taken the handle at a glancing blow up side the head and that is the LAST time that will happen. For me, the HiLift is an absolute last resort.
Yet, I had carried one for YEARS in the back of my 69 Chevy K10..........
This should be standard High Lift Protection Equipment
They paint them red to hide the blood.
And Joey's right - I think my 48" is bumper ornament anymore. The last 2 uses I was way out of travel or had to reset.
Maybe a 60" of those newer "xtreme" / grey ones will end up on Betty, I just hate the crap out of buying tools I know may bite me someday.
And Joey's right - I think my 48" is bumper ornament anymore. The last 2 uses I was way out of travel or had to reset.
Maybe a 60" of those newer "xtreme" / grey ones will end up on Betty, I just hate the crap out of buying tools I know may bite me someday.
I'm curious how many people have winches who hate/fear/question the hilift. Maybe another question:
If you had a stock truck and $300 to drop on recovery gear, what would you go with? With sliders and aftermarket front/rear bumpers and a 12k winch up front the hilift may not see as much action but that's ~$4K worth of hardware.
If you had a stock truck and $300 to drop on recovery gear, what would you go with? With sliders and aftermarket front/rear bumpers and a 12k winch up front the hilift may not see as much action but that's ~$4K worth of hardware.
@Safejacks.com is a really great option.
Bottle jack safe, but can really get the vehicle up high while still being stable. A bit spendy tho. I do not have one but would like to one of these days. I've seen it demonstrated at Overland Expo, very impressive.
This same company also sells an attachment for the Hi-Lift that makes it rock solid, but also spendy.
Bottle jack safe, but can really get the vehicle up high while still being stable. A bit spendy tho. I do not have one but would like to one of these days. I've seen it demonstrated at Overland Expo, very impressive.
This same company also sells an attachment for the Hi-Lift that makes it rock solid, but also spendy.