Is a Hi Lift Jack Absolutely Needed?

[ECUDrummer]

I've seen arguments for both sides when researching this. I'm not constantly taking my vehicle off road, but I'd also like to make sure I have the tools needed if I get stuck.

I know, dumb question. I'll hang up and listen.

 

[LawnDart]

I've seen arguments for both sides when researching this. I'm not constantly taking my vehicle off road, but I'd also like to make sure I have the tools needed if I get stuck.

I know, dumb question. I'll hang up and listen.

Best advice is take a recovery course. Know when and where a farm jack is employed. I've seen some people adding them without knowing how to use them. They're also massively dangerous and powerful tools. So you really want to know how to use them. I haven't had to use mine yet but have used them in the past and they're like airbags, scary as shit but critical when you're in trouble.

 

[MeefZah]

I'd be interested in this as well. I have no interest in buying a hi-lift and I personally have never had need for one; but I'm interested in seeing the fanboys report on why it's an absolute necessity.

I do recognize in certain scenarios (which I personally wouldn't put a $35,000 truck in) it may be beneficial. Still, most that I see are used as bling.

 

[Logan714]

I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Much like guns and condoms.

 

[Seattle206]

90% of high lifts I've seen are mounted on the hood of pristine and shiny lifted wranglers w/ immaculate steel bumpers. The other 10% are on beat down 80-90s Cherokees and in the beds of old Yota trucks.

 

[MeefZah]

90% of high lifts I've seen are mounted on the hood of pristine and shiny lifted wranglers w/ immaculate steel bumpers. The other 10% are on beat down 80-90s Cherokees and in the beds of old Yota trucks.

I like seeing one attached to a vehicle with no place to use it. ... no bumpers or sliders. Unless I have totally misunderstood the way they work (or maybe if they are being used just as a come along? ), you pretty much need a solid, horizontal surface to jack from. Not possible on a stock unit.

 

[simonsay]

Well you don't have to have bumpers or sliders....

 

[MeefZah]

Interesting. What keeps the base of that from getting thrust down and into the mud, resulting in no actual lift to the Jeep?

 

[simonsay]

Don't forget you can use it as a winch too...

 

[Balakay]

I've always had one and never needed it until about 6 months ago. A hi-lift was a major part of a recovery I was involved in. Without it, a wickedly difficult and long (10 hour from breakage until on the trailer) recovery would have only been much longer and more difficult.

 

[Balakay]

Don't forget you can use it as a winch too...

And pulling t-posts! They're an extremely useful tool to have around. Even if it's not in/on your vehicle all the time.

 

[simonsay]

Interesting. What keeps the base of that from getting thrust down and into the mud, resulting in no actual lift to the Jeep?

Some sort of large base should work

 

[Hellamatic]

I have one because I prefer looking AT it over looking FOR it. That said, it depends on what kind of trouble you plan on getting yourself into. They're an extremely versatile tool, very dangerous if you don't know how to use them, but indespensible in certain instances. I bought mine because they're relatively cheap, and if I need it just once it will likely justify the cost. I don't pack it around all the time like a poser - I just toss it on when I head out to the bush.

Buy yourself one, but put it a bit lower on the list. Make sure you have a good axe, a shovel, and a small folding saw before you buy the jack. Read all the instructions and practice using it BEFORE you need it in an emergency situation - using a hi lift is a good way to knock out some teeth if you're careless.

 

[raycie]

I almost needed mine once (with my old truck).. high centered on a rock that my sliders slid on.. good thing for sliders... rock was stuck on my leaf pack.. who knows where it would have been if in my 4R....

Didn't NEED it, but we were pondering using it for a couple of different things..

Not gonna carry it all the time, but will diffinitely bring it when we go up in the mountains..got the mounts for my Front Runner rack. Who really knows when you may need it..

 

[Titanpat57]

Go take a course as suggested from a qualified instructor....it'll be the best money you can spend.

You'll learn important tricks and tips, but most importantly how to minimize or protect from damage to you, and your truck.

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

No. It's not absolutely needed.

 

[1engineer]

No. It's not absolutely needed.

Exactly. Mine is around 25 years old and I have used it very little. I use my come along much more but even that is seldom used for recoveries. I try to keep it away from situations where I need either. It's a specialty tool. Nice to have but not essential.

 

[Dalko43]

No. It's not absolutely needed.

The same could be said for a lot of features/mods.

A good set of A/T tires aren't absolutely necessary either, but they sure do come in handy when you encounter the right (or wrong, depending on how you look at it) situation.

A hi-lift is a tool designed to perform a certain function. You can lift your vehicle using a simple bottle jack, and for most vehicle owners, that works just fine. A hi-lift offers a lifting function but with a bit more versatility which is why many offroading/overlanding types have them.

That said, its a tool that requires a lot of familiarity to operate safely. Unless you plan on going into difficult terrain on a regular basis, I think the factory bottle jack will suit your needs just fine.

 

[bjohnston115]

I think if you will putting your truck in a situation where you think you may need it, then you need it. I drive on sand a lot and know its rare I will get stuck since i know where to go and not to go and what to do. But in the event that I want to mess around and get bogged to the frame, i know i can lift my tire up and back fill the hole and drive away no issue.

 

[Jetboy]

This is my old toyota pickup. There's 35" tires under there. Now let's say you ripped out a sidewall or lost a bead on a tire. Do you really want to try to get under there somehow to jack up the truck with a bottle jack to get access to the tire?

Just one example of where you want a high lift. I don't carry one around regularly for daily driving, but I wouldn't go on any serious offroad trail without one. It's just a handy utility tool. Much like having a shovel, or a bow saw. There's a few tools that are cheap and useful that I like having along. - That said, I'd bet 90% of high lift jacks on vehicles have never once been used, and most owners probably don't even know how to operate them.