Hi-Lift Jack

[Bumbo]

Ever since I got a lift, bigger tires... I always worried about changing a tire on the trail and off-road.

Do any of you still run a bottle jack just for the purpose of a tire change? Or is a Hi-Lift jack worth the purchase?

I figured now that I have sliders, the Hi-Lift would be a good addition... but its almost an inconvenience due to its size and I feel like I would need to bring if I bought/owned one... if the OE bottle jack would do the trick I would be pretty ok wit that...

Any tips or opinions for a first time purchase/user?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

After about a 3" Suspension Lift and 33" tires you'll barely be able to change the tire on your 4th gen. I tested it on the 4Runner before I installed the current 35's at one point and found that it pretty much was the limit for the stock bottle jack.

 

[CXS]

Just carry a piece of 4x4 wood to raise the bottle jack, Hi-Lift jacks have their place if you're familiar with their quirkiness. They aren't the safest piece of equipment around.

 

[techno]

I've used hi-lifts dozens of times (although not on the 4runner) and think they are awesome. They are faster more versatile than a bottle jack since you can use them for things other than lifting a wheel, but they do have draw backs to consider. Weight and size are the main issues and they can also be dangerous.
I do what CXS just said and carry a few wooden packing plates to give the bottle jack extra height and a larger footprint for soft surfaces.

 

[Mytoy4]

After about a 3" Suspension Lift and 33" tires you'll barely be able to change the tire on your 4th gen. I tested it on the 4Runner before I installed the current 35's at one point and found that it pretty much was the limit for the stock bottle jack.

This is something I've been thinking about and wasn't sure. Thanks for sharing.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Get the hi-lift and some beefy weld-on, or bolt on rock sliders and your wheel change jacking woes will be no more.

 

[rick13]

Didn't look yet, but seems like there has to be a thread on this (as it tends to be a common topic of conversation), but in the mean time here is my 2 pennies worth.

Used this method for many years until sliders/HiLift:

I have a HiLift jack, but would definitely advise to get very well versed in the operations of the jack prior to using, and be extra conscious if on a trail (uneven surface, loose ground/rocks...). I believe they can be very useful/versatile, but they can be dangerous if not used correctly.

Slider adapters (and other add-ons) for the lift can be useful also:

 

[CXS]

Adding to my previous post and echoing [MENTION=96286]rick13[/MENTION] said, they can be dangerous. I watched a guy who thought he was a Hi-Lift "expert" break an ankle using one. His punishment was driving home to CA from Moab with a manual transmission.:frusty: