Mounting options for Hi-Lift please?

[WindyCity4Runner]

I bought the hi-lift jack brackets from Amazon and mounted them to the back of the seat. It works well and I don't have any annoying rattles.

 

[wfo9]

The rear hitch is a good hi lift point on our rigs.

I can't tell if you are serious or not. LOL. Better hope the wind is not blowing.

 

[comtn4x4]

I can't tell if you are serious or not. LOL. Better hope the wind is not blowing.

Obviously only for getting unstuck but completely serious. Has worked great for me many times. I'm not sure how it's any different than lifting from any other point. And honestly your inside the hitch so prevents it slipping out. If you would use it as a retrieval point why not a lifting point?

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/224009-diy-hi-lift-shovel-mount-stock-crossbars.html

I only mount mine on top when going off road. And fwiw the stock bottle jack won't even come close to reaching the frame on my rig. I keep 4 squares of 2x6 under the sliding tray

If your using a bottle jack, and trying to lift at the frame, your doing it wrong. lol
Bottle jacks go under the axle tube, or lower control arm, which negates the suspension flex.
Which is why it doesn't matter how big of a lift you have, and the larger tires don't make much of a difference either.

 

[Jeremy556]

I can't tell if you are serious or not. LOL. Better hope the wind is not blowing.

I've used it a few times, but certainly not to change a tire. I used it to lift the rear tires out of ruts, then pushed the jack over sideways so the tires fell on better ground.

 

[comtn4x4]

If your using a bottle jack, and trying to lift at the frame, your doing it wrong. lol
Bottle jacks go under the axle tube, or lower control arm, which negates the suspension flex.
Which is why it doesn't matter how big of a lift you have, and the larger tires don't make much of a difference either.

Duh yes of course. Stupid me

 

[wfo9]

Obviously only for getting unstuck but completely serious. Has worked great for me many times. I'm not sure how it's any different than lifting from any other point. And honestly your inside the hitch so prevents it slipping out. If you would use it as a retrieval point why not a lifting point?

Yes, for that purpose it would work sort of, but the OP seemed to be mainly concerned with changing a tire and the stock bottle jack not being enough... Which really makes very little sense.

Sometimes a hiLift is your only option.. I've lost a bead before in an awkward position where a hilift was the perfect tool to get weight off the tire and reset it.... But I find it to rarely be the best tool for any situation. I don't even carry one in my 4r anymore.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

For sand use I carry 2 about 20X20 inch square pieces of 1 inch thick marine plywood to support my 2 jacks. 2nd jack sometimes needed on opposite side to keep tires from pushing down into soft sand as other side lifted.

When I had my lifted (2.5 inch) 4th Gen with a 1 inch dia larger than stock tire I also carried a piece of rough cut 2X6 about 18 inch long to lay on top of the plywood to give the stock jack an extra 2 inch height.

Never seen a need for a Hi Lift to change a tire or to get out of a stuck condition in the sand.

BTW the correct PC term is "temporarily detained" not stuck.:thumb:

 

[STX4Runner]

I bought the hi-lift jack brackets from Amazon and mounted them to the back of the seat. It works well and I don't have any annoying rattles.

Is the plastic or whatever the seat back is made of strong enough to support the weight of a hi-lift cantilevered off of it and bouncing around?

 

[jjdbike]

Hey Folks
This thread has provided a wealth of info & disueded me from buying a Hi-Lift.
I do have rock sliders as well as a hitch of the front & rear, but as I said, you’ve convinced me I don’t need one.
The two jack idea (for soft sand) sounds very useful. I will also look into a bottle jack stand (not sure where to look for something like this). I’ll also look into taller bottle jacks.
The X-Jack look neat, but a little spendy & not sure how durable it would be for the money.
On my to do list today is to mess around w/ my OEM bottle jack & look for taller ones & look for bottle jack stands.
Thanks everyone!
JD

 

[wfo9]

Hey Folks
This thread has provided a wealth of info & disueded me from buying a Hi-Lift.
I do have rock sliders as well as a hitch of the front & rear, but as I said, you’ve convinced me I don’t need one.
The two jack idea (for soft sand) sounds very useful. I will also look into a bottle jack stand (not sure where to look for something like this). I’ll also look into taller bottle jacks.
The X-Jack look neat, but a little spendy & not sure how durable it would be for the money.
On my to do list today is to mess around w/ my OEM bottle jack & look for taller ones & look for bottle jack stands.
Thanks everyone!
JD

This is the one I use... Also comes in handy in the garage....
Powerbuilt 3 Ton All-in-One Jack - For Life Out Here

I find myself often helping others with trail repairs and it makes me feel so much safer. The crazy stuff I've seen people doing LOL. People often lose their heads when trying to fix something in a hurry.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Hey Folks
This thread has provided a wealth of info & disueded me from buying a Hi-Lift.
I do have rock sliders as well as a hitch of the front & rear, but as I said, you’ve convinced me I don’t need one.
The two jack idea (for soft sand) sounds very useful. I will also look into a bottle jack stand (not sure where to look for something like this). I’ll also look into taller bottle jacks.
The X-Jack look neat, but a little spendy & not sure how durable it would be for the money.
On my to do list today is to mess around w/ my OEM bottle jack & look for taller ones & look for bottle jack stands.
Thanks everyone!
JD

Might try Harbor Freight and Northern Tool for a source.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

Hey Folks
This thread has provided a wealth of info & disueded me from buying a Hi-Lift.
I do have rock sliders as well as a hitch of the front & rear, but as I said, you’ve convinced me I don’t need one.
The two jack idea (for soft sand) sounds very useful. I will also look into a bottle jack stand (not sure where to look for something like this). I’ll also look into taller bottle jacks.
The X-Jack look neat, but a little spendy & not sure how durable it would be for the money.
On my to do list today is to mess around w/ my OEM bottle jack & look for taller ones & look for bottle jack stands.
Thanks everyone!
JD

Not to persuade you back into the hi-lift option but...I was on the same thought train as you. I waited until I knew I was getting sliders (C4 Fab) before getting the Hi-Lift Extreme from Amazon because as previously mentioned our 4Runners don't come with any useful/non-bodypanel-damaging hi-lift mounting points.

My main reason for getting the Extreme version in 48" was that I don't currently plan on getting a winch. The Extreme comes with a hefty add-on piece at the top that will allow for the jack to be used as a winch (after purchasing another kit of-course with the necessary gear and an additional towing rated 3/8" chain in whatever length desired).

The jack is very heavy and I can see how dangerous it is to use. Every move and placement of hands should be carefully thought out and nothing should be done without the jack handle being locked in the parallel position until actually ready to crank it.

I did also buy the adapter that provides a curved receiver point for lifting from the round slider tube.

I only plan on putting the hi-lift on my factory roof rack when I know I am taking an off-roading trip. So I plan to use this part I found from Amazon where I can bolt it to the long roof rail and unbolt it when I am not going to be driving the jack around.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CEODQI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=9S8E4VHCOESD&coliid=I1WDLCY0L4LV1P&psc=1

Most likely I have wasted my money but it's still going to be less than getting a winch up front and less dead-weight to drive around when not needing/carrying it.

 

[proimion]

While its true that the Hi-Lift is a seldom-used tool, when you need it, you really need it. Here in the Rockies, they are used all the time when vehicles are high-centered on rocks.

Here's an example from another forum member (not me): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFAyCa4vFoo. He does admit to several mistakes in this video, but it is a good example. With the Lift-Mate attachment, this recovery could have been much easier, working directly on the wheels that needed the support.

If I'm going to be in territory where I think such a predicament is possible, I carry the hi-lift on my rear hitch using one of these: Hi-Lift Jack Hitch Mount | GoWesty.

 

[jjdbike]

I carry the hi-lift on my rear hitch using one of these: Hi-Lift Jack Hitch Mount | GoWesty.

Thanks proimion.
That’s a pretty cool thing there.
JD

 

[jjdbike]

This is the one I use... Also comes in handy in the garage....
Powerbuilt 3 Ton All-in-One Jack - For Life Out Here

Thanks.
I looked those up and saw some iffy reviews.
I don’t know how to post links but found a company called “Safe Jack”. They sell a 6 ton bottle jack kit that includes a base plate / support, jack ram extensions, and a flat plate & 1/2 round attatchment for the top end of the jack ram, all in a canvas bag. They also have a larger base plate that would be grate for soft terrain.
Anyone here have or seen this?
JD

 

[Boyds4Runner]

If I'm going to be in territory where I think such a predicament is possible, I carry the hi-lift on my rear hitch using one of these: Hi-Lift Jack Hitch Mount | GoWesty.

[MENTION=134987]jjdbike[/MENTION] OP sorry for hi-jacking your thread! :nicethread:eep:

Hey [MENTION=139232]proimion[/MENTION] I was looking at that option for the hi-lift myself. My concern was about dragging that larger runner part that sticks out to hold whatever is being jacked up. I have heard my tailpipe tip drag on rocks when crawling.

Have you had a chance to go off-road with this setup and would you have a review? Mostly concerned if it drags or gets caught.

It's less expensive than the roof rack clamps I was looking at and by virtue of it being down lower it would be much easier to mount and dismount for use.

So if it doesn't get hung up when crawling I may go for that solution myself.

 

[Miguelon]

I wouldn't mount it outside the vehicle, unless you plan on constantly taking it down to clean/lube it. Otherwise, it won't work when you need it. Especially in PA.

As advised, unless you want it for looks, keep it in the garage. Your factory bottle jack is more than capable for changing a tire at the mall, regardless of tire size.

Id disagree..... I find the factory bottle jack to be useless.

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

Id disagree..... I find the factory bottle jack to be useless.

Then you aren't using it properly. lol
:thanks:

 

[STX4Runner]

Then you aren't using it properly. lol
:thanks:

Seriously. The factory jack ought to be just fine for almost all situations as even with 34s you're only getting an additional 2" or so of ground clearance under the axle or LCA. Carry a couple of pieces of wood and you should be fine to change a tire.