high-lift/hi-lift/whatever...

[aaronrules]

Okay did a search, but once again I'm in Crapistan...thankfully for not too much longer, but I can't see anything mentioning hi-lift jacks. Which one do I need to get? Right now I have a bottle jack that will reach somewer around 18 inches if I remember correctly, but I know that a hi-lift will be much better.

http://www.amazon.com/High-Lift-Farm-Tr ... 425&sr=1-5

This one any good? I just don't know where to go for this info.

And hopefully I will have either the Nielage rear spare tire carrier, or the one from CBI Offroad to hold whatever I decide to get.

[aaronrules]

oh yeah...and how do you use a hi-lift with stock bumpers and stuff? Man I am probably going to get killed for asking that question, but oh well!

[Zero]

Go to high lifts website. they have all the accessories and explanations on how to use their gear, including how to videos.

These jacks are quite dangerous for those who have never used them, and they cant be used on a stock bumper without a lot of damage.

they make a special tool that goes around the wheel on your truck if you do not have the proper high lift lifting points or side rails.

Check out you tube .

[HARDTRAILZ]

http://www.hi-lift.com/index.html

Here is a link to the real hi-lift. There is also farm jacks...tractor jacks..high lift jacks which are basically all the same but you can argue they may not be made of the same quality as a true Hi-Lift jack. I like the real brand for the reliability, they have been tested the world over, the factory backed extras and rebuild kits.

Check out the site and then pick one up. Mine is a decade old and still works as new...doesnt look like it, but it works.

[The Roadie]

The huge advantage of a Hilift, besides they're high, is they work from outside the perimeter of the vehicle, not from underneath. If you're stuck, often you can't get underneath. So you use the Hilift anywhere you have a suitable place to get its snout to grip. D-rings inserted into your 2" receiver, front or back - special openings you cut into your custom bumper - tubular parts of the bumper - rock sliders - wheels (using a LM100 Lift Mate adapter). If you're trying to get traction aids under a spinning wheel or two, as I am in this picture, lifting a wheel has another huge advantage over lifting the frame or the body - you get the wheel started moving upwards instantly. You don't have to lift the vehicle and wait for the suspension to go to full extension and THEN the wheel starts to move upwards. You get wheel movement with the first movement of the jack. Much quicker for extractions.



A huge disadvantage of a Hilift is all it does is lift. It can tip any direction easily. This can make certain extractions easier, where you lift a wheel, then drive or allow the vehicle to tip forward to better terrain. You can do a self-extraction without another driver because you can drive off (a few feet) without fiddling with the Hilift. The disadvantage is that you can NEVER use just a Hilift to lift the vehicle for maintenance underneath or to change a tire. You have to support the frame using other things. Wood, jack stands, somebody's spare tire.

If you just need a better jack for driveway maintenance, just get a larger size floor jack to wheel around. Small bottle jacks are not the right tool.

Accessory page: http://www.hi-lift.com/accessories/index.html

[aaronrules]

So a hi-lift is not jack to have in case I get a flat tire driving down the road? The bottle jack I have is actually rather big. I am pretty sure it will get the bigger tires up for a flat change if needed. I will look more closely when I get back home from this craphole

[The Roadie]

What is this ROAD of which you speak?

No, hilifts aren't for pavement flats, unless to lift it up to put in a temporary trail plug in which case you don't need to lift it, just roll until you can see the hole.

Bottle jacking under the axle tube is still a useful trick to remember, compared to jacking up the frame. Gets the tire up in the air a lot faster. But most bottle jacks have tiny little top surfaces, compared to the small cradle on most OEM wind-up jacks.

[aaronrules]

What is this ROAD of which you speak?

No, hilifts aren't for pavement flats, unless to lift it up to put in a temporary trail plug in which case you don't need to lift it, just roll until you can see the hole.

Bottle jacking under the axle tube is still a useful trick to remember, compared to jacking up the frame. Gets the tire up in the air a lot faster. But most bottle jacks have tiny little top surfaces, compared to the small cradle on most OEM wind-up jacks.

Okay, I get it now. I had a idea how to use it for off road stuff, just didn't know if it could be my ONLY jack I could/should carry. I figured since I am getting the lift and tires and stuff, that I might need something with a little higher clearance that bottle jack I have...I literally have no idea where the OEM jack is or any of the stuff to take out my spare tire from underneath...that is going to be fun to figure out!

So what jacks are you guys carrying in your vehicle in case of roadside flats or whatever?

[MrSmithsTB]

For flats, I carry our stock bottle jack. It fits nicely under the rear seat, so why change it. I also threw two 10 pound weight from my old lifting bench under the other side. If I need the extra height, it's like having another 4" of earth under the bottle jack.

[The Roadie]

If you're not regularly exercising and lubricating your spare tire winch, it may have already corroded on you and jammed up.

And please read your Owner's Manual cover to cover when you get back, that has all the details on your current safety equipment.

[Philberto]

For faster usage of my factory jack, I combine with my cordless impact wrench and the proper sized square bit. Makes everything go so much faster.

[Zero]

This thread reminds me. I have a high lift....but no regular floor jack at my house....gona have to do something about that....I also want a set of ramps to drive up on. Its sooo much easier then lifting the truck onto jacks.

[KE7WOX]

For faster usage of my factory jack, I combine with my cordless impact wrench and the proper sized square bit. Makes everything go so much faster.

What size? I've been thinking about doing that

Bottle jacking under the axle tube is still a useful trick to remember, compared to jacking up the frame. Gets the tire up in the air a lot faster. But most bottle jacks have tiny little top surfaces, compared to the small cradle on most OEM wind-up jacks.

Like in the Toyota Coaster, you need 2 jacks, one for the frame, one for the axle. Otherwise, good luck changing the flat.

[Trail X]

You need two bottle jacks?

I change mine all the time by just lifting from the lower A arm or under the axle tube without a problem.

[KE7WOX]

That's what I've heard.

And the Rav4 requires to you to support the jack on a specific point of the suspension, otherwise you'll lift the thing, remove the flat tire, but the new, inflated tire won't go in. I learned the hard way thanks to my dad's stubborness (who insisted to use THAT point over there, not the one the manual said)

[Trail X]

If the new tire doesn't go on... just lift it a little higher... am I missing something?

[bartonmd]

If the new tire doesn't go on... just lift it a little higher... am I missing something?

Probably just that if you're in the wrong spot, the jack will get up high enough to take the flat off, but not high enough to get the inflated tire on...

Mike

[KE7WOX]

If the new tire doesn't go on... just lift it a little higher... am I missing something?

You've maxed out the jack by then. So you have to put the flat back on, tighten it, lower it, relocate the jack, then try again.

[Philberto]

What size? I've been thinking about doing that

Ummm... usually just fish around until I find one that fits. I'll find out though.

[Trail X]

If the new tire doesn't go on... just lift it a little higher... am I missing something?

You've maxed out the jack by then. So you have to put the flat back on, tighten it, lower it, relocate the jack, then try again.

Ah, so you have a really really short jack, or really really big tires.