bigdaddy2021
New member
If so have you used it off-road? How?
Do you carry a hi-lift jack?
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Captain Spalding
Member
I’ve owned one for years and used it a few times. When I had a Defender 90 I had an adapter for the Hi-Lift that keyed into holes in the aftermarket front bumper and sliders. That made using it slightly less dangerous. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll carry it on the 4Runner. I’ve seen a fair few videos on Bottle Jacks vs the Hi-Lift, and the bottle jack arguments are compelling. Ultimately I think there are situations where each is appropriate but I’d only choose the Hi-Lift as a last resort.
bigdaddy2021
New member
Cool beans. Have you ever used it? What did you use it for, if so?
Xtremluck
New member
I honestly would never leave home without it for offroad travel. I've used it many times to lift the truck up so I can put traction boards underneath my tires or fill in holes for high centered situations. Ive also used it to change out tires or diagnose suspension issues trailside. Not the safest tool in the world but if you are careful and respect it you really cant beat it.
The standard screw bottle jack and some blocks of wood. I've never had to use it yet because I'm fairly risk adverse about things. Been meaning to get one of the cradle caps you can put on top of it. I really like the look of the SafeJack kits but they are very expensive. Those aluminum offroad floojacks look good but I heard things about them falling apart quickly.
One day I'd like to put in the kit a small 1/2" impact wrench and a compact cordless chainsaw that use the same batteries. I have a bunch of Hitachi/Metabo-HPT cordless tools and they don't make a mini chainsaw to match unfortunately. Their compact impact wrench is good though.
One day I'd like to put in the kit a small 1/2" impact wrench and a compact cordless chainsaw that use the same batteries. I have a bunch of Hitachi/Metabo-HPT cordless tools and they don't make a mini chainsaw to match unfortunately. Their compact impact wrench is good though.
Captain Spalding
Member
I think the same can be said of a lot of Hi-Lift owners. The Hi-Lift jack isn’t intuitive to use. It’s good to learn how in controlled circumstances - before you need it. And if it’s been years since you’ve used it, maybe pull it out for a refresher. It should also be said that it requires maintenance. Sorry to be so preachy, but it’s a dangerous tool that demands respect.
TRD PANTHER
New member
Yes, You can injure yourself just taking it down and moving and manipulating it before you start to Jack. I used a 48” many years ago once. This time around, I just got the 42” one, so that I could mount it longitudinal or transverse on my LFD bars and it is a bit easier to handle. I only mount it when I go 4wheeling.
The older I get the more I feel like just calling Matt's Off-Road Recovery if I got stuck. Lol
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Kamalani Mahie
New member
Me me me! Lol it’s also a very useful tool to get traction boards under your tires or help if you’re high centered.
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Salvo Jimmy
Member
Carry a bottle Jack that extends more than the OEM bottle. Carry two 2’ X 2’ 3/4” marine plywood boards to support the jacks. Used once on the beach in deep soft sand to change a flat. Use the OEM on side opposite the flat to keep vehicle from sinking into the soft sand. Use the longer bottle to raise the flat side. Fox hole shovel to remove sand around flat if needed.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Absolutely. If you get a flat off-road, break the bead, lose a side of a shackle from the bolt due to a lost nut, break a CV, need a winch, there are so many uses for the dang thing. The above list, I have done, and then some in over 20 years of off-roading. The dang thing sucks and is quite dangerous, but it's uses outweigh the danger when used properly.
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We used two of them to lift a truck that broke a rear diff. Needed to disconnect the rear drive shaft so it could move but it was also high centered at the time. Numerous other times too, but that’s the one that sticks out for it to be indispensable.
It’s one of those tools that when you really need one, you’ll be glad you had it. It’s not needed for changing a tire on flat ground (although my first car literally had a farm jack in the trunk as part of the OEM tools).
It’s one of those tools that when you really need one, you’ll be glad you had it. It’s not needed for changing a tire on flat ground (although my first car literally had a farm jack in the trunk as part of the OEM tools).
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Xtremluck
New member
As others mentioned it’s a good idea to learn how these things work before using it. There are a lot of best practices you need to follow ie lubrication, staying out of the death triangle etc.. I’m willing to bet that a good amount of Hi Lift owners haven’t used their jack before. I cant tell you how many times I see one mounted on a roof of a 4Runner without sliders or metal bumpers. I guess it’s Overland jewelry just like a lot of other things these days.
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patkelly4370
New member
We don't carry it offroading, but we use it around the ranch when it's the right tool for the job.
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Jetboy
New member
I always carry when I'm going offroad. Use occasionally - maybe once per trip on average. IMO it's a very handy tool for a lot of tasks. But as has been mentioned you obviously need sliders and front/rear lift points if you want to use it.
I agree with a comment above that it's important to both learn how to use them, and also be aware of the dangers.
They are notoriously unstable and can get out of control on the down jacking process if you're not paying attention. Lots of videos on it. And there's also a tendency for the jack to tilt toward the vehicle body as you go up. The result is often a dent in the door or hatch if you're not careful. I would not use the high lift for changing a tire unless it was the only way to do it. The OEM bottle jack is a much better and safer tool for that job on any sort of flat terrain.
My other suggestion is to keep them oiled. The mechanism requires a few components to slide in jack body. They're mostly cast parts that are poorly coated. So, they tend to rust up easily and then you'll get it out and find that it doesn't work. If it's been outside for a few years on your roof, odds are it is rusted up and won't work until you free up the mechanisms and oil them. If you have it outside - you really should have a can of WD40 or similar light weight oil in your tool kit so you can actually use the jack when you want to use it. In some climates it's probably worth considering periodic spray down with rust preventative oil.
I agree with a comment above that it's important to both learn how to use them, and also be aware of the dangers.
They are notoriously unstable and can get out of control on the down jacking process if you're not paying attention. Lots of videos on it. And there's also a tendency for the jack to tilt toward the vehicle body as you go up. The result is often a dent in the door or hatch if you're not careful. I would not use the high lift for changing a tire unless it was the only way to do it. The OEM bottle jack is a much better and safer tool for that job on any sort of flat terrain.
My other suggestion is to keep them oiled. The mechanism requires a few components to slide in jack body. They're mostly cast parts that are poorly coated. So, they tend to rust up easily and then you'll get it out and find that it doesn't work. If it's been outside for a few years on your roof, odds are it is rusted up and won't work until you free up the mechanisms and oil them. If you have it outside - you really should have a can of WD40 or similar light weight oil in your tool kit so you can actually use the jack when you want to use it. In some climates it's probably worth considering periodic spray down with rust preventative oil.
I've used the hi-lift to free my self when I had my FJ and high-centered it on the hitch, that I didn't remove when we made camp - opps! Now I always take off the hitch if I'm towing anything.
I've never had to use the hi-lift with the 4Runner - yet.
I've used the e-tool....and the shovel - both times to put out a campfire that was smoldering after the campers left and I came across it while off roading.
Pet peeve: if you make a camp fire, make sure it is 100% out when you break camp.
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