Holy that is sketchy AF. That'd be the day I crawl under a vehicle, supported only on a hi-lift, with a FREAKING HAMMER....
Do you carry a hi-lift jack?
- Thread starter bigdaddy2021
- Start date
Holy that is sketchy AF. That'd be the day I crawl under a vehicle, supported only on a hi-lift, with a FREAKING HAMMER....
bigdaddy2021
New member
That gives me the heeby-jeeby's...I'd at least throw a tire under there to break the vehicles fall.
rochmpr
Senior Member
The tire is under the vehicle :clap2:
rochmpr
Senior Member
Welcome to the wonderful world of "actually wheeling"! You either fix it or stay there. It's all about risk, the wheel/tire was under the frame of the safety factor, plus this was after only the first real obstacle. Had to finish the trail and get to the next trail by lunch.
I missed the tire under there (can see it in the second photo now that you mention it). That's a lot better than relying just on the jack.
bigdaddy2021
New member
Oh, I hear you. That's exactly what this thread is about for me. Exploring Risk-management and repair needs related to hi-lifts and our relatively heavy vehicles. No doubt getting off the trail is important.
I used to be an EMT/Firefighter, and with that first responder training and experience I guess I'm just risk-averse when it comes to crush/mechanical injuries in the backcountry. They tend to be extremely devastating, especially if the femoral, brachial, or popliteal arteries are involved. Tag one of those big "pumper" arteries and you're done.
Probably a good heads up for anyone who wheels with me. I'm a bit "extra" when it comes to safety (maybe "overboard" depending on your perspective..haha)
When I've done offroad repairs, I usually:
1. Drive or tow rig to flat(ish) ground
2. Chock the wheels with rocks
3. Stabilize the rig with a winch line to a tree/rock if possible
4. Put a hi-lift or two, under a bumper/rail as appropriate
5. Put a bottle jack or two under a-arms/solid axles
6. Put a tire (or two) under a belly skid or rockslider.
Reason being, is that the ground you're on is very likely a dynamic surface and can't be counted on to keep it's composure as you bang and whang on the rig. Have seen more than one rig fall to the ground with the front disc brake digging itself 4-6in into the soil from the weight of the truck pushing it. Yeeeow!
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Humble Leader
Senior Member
I don't have enough life insurance to use a high lift jack
I have pondered getting one once I have true sliders. One of the things I've thought about is that I learned how to change a tire on a 1970 Buick Skylark. I remember the Jack being similar to a Hi-Lift and bumpers had notches in them as lifting points. This was before smaller scissor jacks came around. Ebay has some examples..
Is there a difference in a HI-Lift design and the type I grew up with?
Vintage muscle Car Bumper Jack Original crow bar 1950’s | eBay
Is there a difference in a HI-Lift design and the type I grew up with?
Vintage muscle Car Bumper Jack Original crow bar 1950’s | eBay
DAW89446
Member
Used to carry them, I had two over the decades. I had one stolen out of the back of my 4x4 pickup in the 1980s. I had a wheel lift attachment for my last jack.
The last I carried one was in my ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4. A late friend of mine who was a mechanical engineer worked up a nice mount on the top of the driver side rear wheel well in the truck’s bed (I had a camper shell) using a bumper mount. Self supporting with the jack laying horizontal atop it and stayed in place well, even with regular off roading. It went with the truck when I gave it to a family member when I got my ‘18 T4R.
I’ve never used either jack on myself, but have used it on others who didn’t have a jack and were stuck or had a flat tire. Now that I’ve thought of it, I haven’t used a jack at all for decades.
I’m a senior now and don’t do the off roading I used to. That and the fact that my ‘18 is stock with no easy place to use it on the truck (or carry it for that matter) has stopped me from getting another.
The last I carried one was in my ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4. A late friend of mine who was a mechanical engineer worked up a nice mount on the top of the driver side rear wheel well in the truck’s bed (I had a camper shell) using a bumper mount. Self supporting with the jack laying horizontal atop it and stayed in place well, even with regular off roading. It went with the truck when I gave it to a family member when I got my ‘18 T4R.
I’ve never used either jack on myself, but have used it on others who didn’t have a jack and were stuck or had a flat tire. Now that I’ve thought of it, I haven’t used a jack at all for decades.
I’m a senior now and don’t do the off roading I used to. That and the fact that my ‘18 is stock with no easy place to use it on the truck (or carry it for that matter) has stopped me from getting another.
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nightfall4rpro
New member
I will be getting one. Just need to make sure you know how to use it or it could be used against you.
adio3x
New member
I stopped using a hi lift almost 10 years ago, have tried other options, safejack, arb, etc, but have landed on the pro eagle jacks. Stopped using the hi lift after it gave away on some soft dirt (even using the arb orb), luckily the rear hub wasn't damaged, but it was either fix it or leave it there type situation.
If you really don't want to die, I would look into the Pro Eagle Talon. Floor print is smaller, don't have to worry about losing fingers or it shooting out. Also has dual use in the garage.
If you really don't want to die, I would look into the Pro Eagle Talon. Floor print is smaller, don't have to worry about losing fingers or it shooting out. Also has dual use in the garage.
Jetboy
New member
Just for fun because this "build" is so terribly done, here's a high lift that's missing the foot, on a vehicle with no places that you could jack from anyway. And it has what looks like a 4Runner snorkle screwed to the fender it obviously doesn't fit. - which BTW the hundai tucson has the intake on the other side - so you can surely imagine how functional it is. lol. what a disaster. I also like the fake door hinges - but they only put one hinge on each door? But it kinda reminds me of what I often think when I see a high lift on a vehicle that's obviously there as farkle, and is never going to be used.
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Just for fun because this "build" is so terribly done, here's a high lift that's missing the foot, on a vehicle with no places that you could jack from anyway. And it has what looks like a 4Runner snorkle screwed to the fender it obviously doesn't fit. - which BTW the hundai tucson has the intake on the other side - so you can surely imagine how functional it is. lol. what a disaster. I also like the fake door hinges - but they only put one hinge on each door? But it kinda reminds me of what I often think when I see a high lift on a vehicle that's obviously there as farkle, and is never going to be used.
In all fairness, the foot *could* be in the case on the rack..you know, so it doesn't get stolen from that specimen.
Fifteen-4
New member
Hi-Lift jack storage
After running all over the internet and looking at some pricey options for mounting a hi-lift on a 4Runner, I found a free option. Stick it under your second row seats. Let the base stick out one end and Bob's your uncle. It's secure, out of the weather and won't bounce around. This will only work with the 48" variety.
The downside, people won't know how cool you are because they won't be able to see your super cool trail accessory.
After running all over the internet and looking at some pricey options for mounting a hi-lift on a 4Runner, I found a free option. Stick it under your second row seats. Let the base stick out one end and Bob's your uncle. It's secure, out of the weather and won't bounce around. This will only work with the 48" variety.
The downside, people won't know how cool you are because they won't be able to see your super cool trail accessory.
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johnnygraphic
Member
Never had a need for it. But, I'm not crazy hard core gonzo like some of you guys. I'm a card carrying geezer that likes to go off-road once in a blue moon. I hit some trails in Death Valley with a buddy and never got into a situation where a hi-lift would be used...or any jack for that matter.
mrblah
Senior Member
i went with a safe jack extensions and a modified 3rd gen 4runner OEM jack.
So i carry the 5th gen jack, and the 3rd gen jack in the jack cubby hole, with the extensions out of sight.
I don't carry the hi-lift anymore mainly due to weight of the jack itself and its associated accessories. I still have it though, and maybe one day ill bring it, but right now its collecting dust.
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