Realy ignorant question about highlift jacks

[Mackeath]

I've been reading all the posts about highlift jacks and have not found anything quite like the information I'm looking for.

I've been looking on the web and can't seem to find anything like it either.

Essentially, I'm new and not mechanically inclined. I have a FJ62 with 31's and the SOR Bull Bar (not nearly as tough as an ARB). I am going elk hunting in rough country this winter and have a highlift jack mounted to my roof rack. It is a 48 inch model.

My question is simply this, how do I use it? To jack the vehicle to put stuff under the tires for traction and to use as a make shift winch.

If anyone has a link to an explanation page, or a brief tutorial that would be great.

Once again, thank you all for the help you provide.

 

[D'Animal]

Put the jack handle in your right hand and look at the arm that sick out away from you. On the left side of the mechanism that the handle fits into is a lever. The lever moves up or down and is curved downward.

When this lever is in the up position you will be able to raise the jack arm bay moving them by moving the handle.

If you move this lever down you can lower the jack by moving the jack handle.

To make a winch out of it you connect two ropes, cable, chains, etc to each end of the jack and crank away.

The use of ropes, cable, chains will be determined by what you are winching. Be safe.

 

[Jman]

YouTube is your friend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrfbR4REV-s

There probably are other videos out there.

Warning--assume at all times that the Hi Lift will tip over, and take adequate precautions. Also, do not put your chin anywhere that the crank lever can smack up and hit it--because it can, and break your jaw.

That said, the Hi Lift is an amazing tool for the trail.

 

[SAS]

Its not an ignorant question--we all learned somewhere along the way.

If you have a 4WD club near you, contact them and ask one of the guys (or girls) for a demonstration. Maybe there is a Mud member or TLCA club nearby?

For online, take a look in the "expedition" and/or "recovery gear" area of 'Mud. Also, look for the expedition sites like Pangaea, ExpeditionsWest, Overland Journal, etc. They may have "how to" articles. Bill Burke's website (bb4wa.com) may have a freebie lead, too, or you can call and ask about content on the recovery videos (then tell your to get you one for Christmas!)

 

[coolin82]

You could order, or borrow from someone you know, Bill Burke's Getting unstuck instructional video. It has some very useful information that is often times overlooked by even the most experienced off roaders. One of the vendors of the video: http://www.4x4books.com/bbgus.htm, or you could just go to Bills web site:http://www.bb4wa.com/ However, free is always better, but not always as helpful. I will need to check out the youtube video.

Good luck, and as always, be safe. Just like Jman said, hi-lift jacks can be dangerous if not used properly.

 

[Jman]

Using it as a winch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xldBPnzohtI&feature=related

 

[cruiser88]

The best advice one can give you at this point(cause others have already chimed in)

DO NOT TRY TO JACK BOTH wheels off the ground at once(such as both rear or both front)

In many cases that jack will kick out and smack you.


If you will look at the foot(base) the foot has forward movement this is why.

I will try to find the bumper lift that attaches to the High Lift. It really helps to keep the jack from moving or shifting

 

[cruiser88]

Just look at the whole page.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...x=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=high+lift&noImage=0

 

[Mackeath]

As always, thank you very much for the informative responses.

I did not even think youtube, but the videos are great and it is giving me a good idea on how the device operates.

I see from that Cabelas link that they make a bumper hook for lifting it. Is that something a normal auto parts store might have? Unfortunately, my tag is for this weekend and I have limited amount of shipping time.

Also, my cruiser is an FJ62, any advice on attachment points or are they pretty much all good?

Thank you

 

[cruiser88]

As always, thank you very much for the informative responses.

I did not even think youtube, but the videos are great and it is giving me a good idea on how the device operates.

I see from that Cabelas link that they make a bumper hook for lifting it. Is that something a normal auto parts store might have? Unfortunately, my tag is for this weekend and I have limited amount of shipping time.

Also, my cruiser is an FJ62, any advice on attachment points or are they pretty much all good?

Thank you

I have never had any issues jacking from the oem bumpers on somewhat level ground.

The link I gave you was where I bought the bumper hook and the only place in person I have seen it but does not mean others in your area would not carry it.

As long as your safe I see no reason to buy that stuff. I really only gave it too you as a option(peace of mind)And it is handy to have on the trail in a pinch but I lived for years without any of that stuff.

But make sure you grease your jack.

 

[spressomon]

You could order, or borrow from someone you know, Bill Burke's Getting unstuck instructional video. It has some very useful information that is often times overlooked by even the most experienced off roaders. One of the vendors of the video: http://www.4x4books.com/bbgus.htm, or you could just go to Bills web site:http://www.bb4wa.com/ However, free is always better, but not always as helpful. I will need to check out the youtube video.

Good luck, and as always, be safe. Just like Jman said, hi-lift jacks can be dangerous if not used properly.

X2 on Bill Burke's Getting Unstuck DVD!!! Great little investment in the practical and safe use of Hi-Lift jacks (among other things).

You should give it a test lift in your driveway/garage...you may or may not need to use a ratchet strap to tie the axle to the frame...so that as you jack the rig you do not have to lift the body any more than necessary due to spring/lift extension when jacking. I also carry a Hi-Lift Offroad base when I need to jack from soft ground. There are numerous attachments/accessories to make using the Hi-Lift safer in a variety of conditions.

If you are forced to jack from a slope you'll more than likely need to counter balance the rig with a tether, recovery strap, another's winch line, whatever. As Bill Burke states: Use the "3P's": "Practice, Planning & Patience"...or at least I think that's his "3P's"

As above: Always carry a can of WD40, or similar to spray the Hi-Lift springs and pins...it WILL NOT function if they are dirty, dry, corroded, etc.

 

[Godwin]

Lots of good advice in the thread and I'm only going to add a couple of things. Spend an hour at home and practice with the jack in a comfortable environment. The anxiety of being stuck and dealing with an unknown tool can lead to accidents. Secondly carry it inside the Cruiser if possible so that when you do need it it isn't rusted up, but still take along a can of lube.

 

[gavman]

We had to cut the handle of a hi lift yesterday to reinforce a bent drag-link on a non Toyota Vehicle.
Not sure yet if any pics will surface of the repair but i will post one if i get one.
Lucky to have such a good tool with us.....And Godwin had the right advice, Practise at home first before you need to use it on a dark rainy evening.

 

[jb welda]

i concur on the practice thing and realize that what works in the driveway might get a lot more sketchy out on the trail, so the important part is to really ID some good points to jack on.

i also second the idea of getting the offroad base or whatever they call it. its a piece of plastic that the foot of the jack fits into and it spreads the weight over about two square feet instead of 6 square inches. its advantages are obvious out on the trail.

so, dont be afraid of it but respect it and it will serve you well. its certainly saved my a$$ a couple times and it never jumped out at me but theres always a first time.

one love
jah bill

 

[D'Animal]

Well Crap.

Now I feel bad. I literally thought he did not know how it worked, not how to use it.

Put the jack handle in your right hand and look at the arm that sick out away from you. On the left side of the mechanism that the handle fits into is a lever. The lever moves up or down and is curved downward.

When this lever is in the up position you will be able to raise the jack arm bay moving them by moving the handle.

If you move this lever down you can lower the jack by moving the jack handle.

To make a winch out of it you connect two ropes, cable, chains, etc to each end of the jack and crank away.

The use of ropes, cable, chains will be determined by what you are winching. Be safe.

 

[OswaldtheBold]

Put the jack handle in your right hand and look at the arm that sick out away from you. On the left side of the mechanism that the handle fits into is a lever. The lever moves up or down and is curved downward.

When this lever is in the up position you will be able to raise the jack arm bay moving them by moving the handle.

If you move this lever down you can lower the jack by moving the jack handle.

To make a winch out of it you connect two ropes, cable, chains, etc to each end of the jack and crank away.

The use of ropes, cable, chains will be determined by what you are winching. Be safe.

One more thing: "If you move this lever down you can lower the jack by moving the jack handle." Make sure the handle is vertical before you move this lever down.

 

[sirenmoses]

One more thing: "If you move this lever down you can lower the jack by moving the jack handle." Make sure the handle is vertical before you move this lever down.

Yea, cuz if it's horizontal it can rapidly lower itself, causing mayhem to anything tween tube handle & beam, as well as anything near the base when it goes clackyting down. OUCH

 

[dfmorse]

Always wear gloves when working with the Hi-Lift.

...

 

[brownbear]

don't hold the jack to keep it upright if it wants to lean over. If the jacking can't be done by only holding the handle you not doing it safely.

 

[Mackeath]

After experimenting, you are not kidding about a rapid lowering if the handle is horizontal.

I think this thing scares the crap out of me. And I ice climb frozen waterfalls.

Ok, I bought a kit for using it as a winch/come-along. It has attachments meant to replace the ones that came with the jack. It says I need to drill out one of the wholes to make it fit. Is that I good idea? Does it wreck the usefulness of the jack for what it was actually designed to do?

Once again, thank you for all your very informative responses.