Slee Off-road Hi-Lift Mounts

[Thai]

So then why is it any different if I buy a tool to be prepared? Not everything has to be critiqued negatively.

I have my guns for family protection. BTW, if you understand the principle of CC (conceal carry), then you will know that my guns are not to make me feel like a "big man." Why? It is because i hide my gun(s) from public and it is a crime to show my gun without purpose.

Difference between me and you...i modify for a purpose, not for bling. Sorry, that is how i see you as...it is OK for you to disagree.

 

[HB 4X4]

I have my guns for family protection. BTW, if you understand the principle of CC (conceal carry), then you will know that my guns are not to make me feel like a "big man." Why? It is because i hide my gun(s) from public and it is a crime to show my gun without purpose.

Difference between me and you...i modify for a purpose, not for bling. Sorry, that is how i see you as...it is OK for you to disagree.

Last I checked you don't modify at all... Or are there some sweet spinners on that mini-van? Have you been holding out on us!? Shame on you!

I got sliders to protect my side panels, a Hi-Lift to change my tire or lift a wheel if I get stuck, and a slider adapter to make the two work in unison. Guess I might as well go buy a Hummer and pimp my ride.

BLING BLING!:flipoff:

Seriously though buddy, lay off of my mods. A simple "cool" will suffice. I don't need everything I do criticized by you. The only thing I have done for "looks" is changing to larger tires because the 265's were pathetic looking, and window tint. You would have different things to say if it were anyone else besides me.

 

[CSL]

I have used my hi-lift numerous times, on my rig and others, but I have never used it for changing a tire.

If I was changing a tire, and I was not stuck in some crazy off-road position, a bottle jack is the way to go. I keep one where the factory jack used to go.

I use the hi-lift when someone is stuck. It's quick and easy to lift the tire and fill with rocks...over and over again, tire after tire.

Never had to use it as a winch, because I have a winch. But a winch is electric, not mechanical. So I like the idea of having the option as a backup...case I have battery or elec. issues, or the motor decides it's done. Pre-winch, I was seriously saved one day by a come-along and a few hours, so sometimes even 6-inches at a time is better than nothing (ha! that's what she said!)

"It dangerous"...yeah.. so is offroading or all kinds of things, like a winch...but your not knocking those with the "danger" line.

Bling, bling...yeah, so what...lots of people do lots of wierd things for that purpose. I leave mine in the garage when I am not on the trails...of course I do that with the whole rig now too, so that doesn't really count.

Don't discredit a great TOOL or MACHINE, just because some people have it just for vanity. I would say the same about that G500 thing of yours you have described before.

 

[HB 4X4]

I have used my hi-lift numerous times, on my rig and others, but I have never used it for changing a tire.

If I was changing a tire, and I was not stuck in some crazy off-road position, a bottle jack is the way to go. I keep one where the factory jack used to go.

I use the hi-lift when someone is stuck. It's quick and easy to lift the tire and fill with rocks...over and over again, tire after tire.

Never had to use it as a winch, because I have a winch. But a winch is electric, not mechanical. So I like the idea of having the option as a backup...case I have battery or elec. issues, or the motor decides it's done.

It dangerous...yeah.. so is offroading or all kinds of things, like a winch...but your not knocking those with the "danger" line.

Bling, bling...yeah, so what...lots of people do lots of wierd things for that purpose.

Don't discredit a great TOOL or MACHINE, just because some people have it just for vanity. I would say the same about that G500 thing of yours you have described before.

Lol...

What type of bottle jack do you use that reaches high enough? Might be nice to have one as a back-up for road side so I didn't have to use my Hi-Lift unless I am on the trails.

Anyways, to get this thread back on topic, these are well made mounts if anyone is looking for a good method to carry a Hi-Lift without a rear tire carrier or full roof basket.

 

[Thai]

Last I checked you don't modify at all... Or are there some sweet spinners on that mini-van? Have you been holding out on us!? Shame on you!

Seriously though buddy, lay off of my mods. A simple "cool" will suffice. I don't need everything I do criticized by you. The only thing I have done for "looks" is changing to larger tires because the 265's were pathetic looking, and window tint. You would have different things to say if it were anyone else besides me.

Yes, i have made several mod on my G. My minivan is just great as is for its intended purpose. On my G, i put on rock sliders, got 16" rims (vs. 18" OEM rims) for better tire (& cheaper) tire selection and more sidewall to air down, got slightly bigger tires (32" vs. 31"), and got tires that are made to go off-road while does decent on-road (BFG AT KO). Oh yeah, i also manufactured a small mod on my spare tire cover so that i can fit 32" tire under the cover. That is pretty much it.

You said above that you are a SERIOUS off-roader because every serious off-roaders have a Hi-Lift. Cool. However, why did you get P-rated balloon tires for off-roading???!! Yeah, you want a daily driver, but i thought that you were serious about off-roading? IMHO, "serious" off-roading and P-rated tires of any size do NOT mix.

Sorry about critic of your mods...this is a public forum and i just want to express my views like everyone else. Again, if you don't want to hear criticism(s), then don't post stuff.

Have a good day.

 

[Thai]

Don't discredit a great TOOL or MACHINE, just because some people have it just for vanity. I would say the same about that G500 thing of yours you have described before.

Actually, if know me long enough, then you will know the process that i went through to get the G500. Trust me, the G500 was NOT my first choice. And if i have to do it again, then i would likely get the 2009 4runner Trail Edition or maybe the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon SWB. I have said this many times before. Nothing to hide.

 

[Thai]

What type of bottle jack do you use that reaches high enough? Might be nice to have one as a back-up for road side so I didn't have to use my Hi-Lift unless I am on the trails.

No, what CSL, me, and others are saying is that a bottle jack (aftermarket or stock) is safer and more effective than a Hi-Lift for lifting a vehicle to change tires. Bottle jack is indeed your FIRST choice on any surface if possible. And if you do use your Hi-Lift for whatever reason, then you should also use the bottle jack to prevent your car from crashing down on you if the Hi-Lift fails. If you can use a bottle jack, USE IT.

Disclaimer: i do not know the quality of Toyota's bottle jack...if it is not good, then get an aftermarket one!

Remember, a Hi-Lift was created to help you get "un-stuck"...it was not made to help you change your tires!

Again, changing tires = bottle jack. Winching = real winch. And "serious" off-roaders SHOULD have a winch if he/she goes off-roading alone a lot. So, where does that leave the Hi-Lift?

Everything else you need a Hi-Lift for is probably not needed...just my (and many others) opinions.

 

[Thai]

BTW, Josh, do you a sticker of this forum on your truck? Or do you just come here for me? You are very active here...more so than the other forum, right?

Just wondering.

 

[CSL]

Remember, a Hi-Lift was created to help you get "un-stuck"...it was not made to help you change your tires!

Again, changing tires = bottle jack. Winching = real winch. And "serious" off-roaders SHOULD have a winch if he/she goes off-roading alone a lot. So, where does that leave the Hi-Lift?

You confuse me Thai? Your question (above) in the last sentence is answered by your first sentence. ??

And I again say this: (with the added edit)

Never had to use it as a winch, because I have a winch. But a winch is electric, not mechanical. So I like the idea of having the option as a backup...case I have battery or elec. issues, or the motor decides it's done. Pre-winch, I was seriously saved one day by a come-along and a few hours, so sometimes even 6-inches at a time is better than nothing (ha! that's what she said!)

The more prepared the better. The winch is expensive, and will only work for so long. I unstuck a giant truck once, and the winch would have burnt out or ripped my frame in half if I hadn't first hi-lifted him out of the hole he was in.

A winch means a new bumper, which means $1500+ purchased new. Add the new tires he "should" have and that's another $1000. We don't all have money like that... "Where does that leave the hi-lift?" only $150 that's where!!

When I did the winch, bumper and AT tires, I killed my daily driving efficiency and ended up buying a little beater truck. A hi-lift won't do that to you.

Actually, if know me long enough, then you will know the process that i went through to get the G500. Trust me, the G500 was NOT my first choice. And if i have to do it again, then i would likely get the 2009 4runner Trail Edition or maybe the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon SWB. I have said this many times before. Nothing to hide.

I was not dogging you for your G500, at all. It sounds like it's not just bling, bling to you. My point is that just because it is bling, bling to many other people, DOES NOT DEFINE IT AS ONLY THAT. Just like the hi-lift.

HB4x4, I don't need to convice Thai of the hi-lifts value, but I do want to reassure you that it IS a good tool (of many good tools) that you should have in your bag of tricks. However, don't get to excited about using it all the time. Mine doesn't come off unless there is trouble. I did use though to get my rear end really high when I did my lift, but only to get the big jackstands underneath. And I will tell you that the truck was pretty unstable until we lowered it back onto the stands. The toyota factory jack will work to change your tires, just lift the lower a-arm, not the frame, this way your don't have to stretch out the suspension.

BACK ON TOPIC:
I was too cheap to buy mounts (blew my wad on the winch/bumper! ha). So I made my own. Mine have a similar bolt and wingnut set up. I drilled a whole through the end of the bolt and use a little luggage combination lock. It won't stop a premeditated theft, but will stop the random snatch-and-run.

 

[Ulfr]

Heh heh...
For the first year after I got my first 'runner, I never used my hi-lift jack, just kept in the truck, or on it, depending on where I could put it... But I always took it along, cause I've used a hi-lift jack before, and seen how useful they are in situations where one could only dream 'bout puttin' some tiny bottle jacks in...

At least, in our situation, where we are sometimes drivin' through ice and deep water, sometimes beads go off the wheel and we need to work fast, before the truck freezes stuck in the ice... And you ain't puttin' no bottle jack there... Heh.

I think, there hasn't been a one serious injury from Hi-lift jacks here in Iceland, at least not that I've heard of...
I've once broke the "split" for the shaft and it got lose and hit my face, with minor injuries...

If you know the rules 'round Hi-lifts, it's not any more dangerous than a cricket spade...
Too bad, how many seem like they don't...

 

[Thai]

You confuse me Thai? Your question (above) in the last sentence is answered by your first sentence. ??

A winch means a new bumper, which means $1500+ purchased new. Add the new tires he "should" have and that's another $1000. We don't all have money like that... "Where does that leave the hi-lift?" only $150 that's where!!

CSL,

Yeah, i should have clarified. Yes, the Hi-Lift main purpose in life is to get you unstuck, but I have my doubts about how useful it is in its intended purpose. Our opinions differ. You have used it and found it useful. I respect that. For me (and many others), i don't see much use to it. My little off-roading club has several Hi-Lifts (damn Jeepers, they always have them!)...and we have never needed one. That is just my experience. In addition, one of the off-road instructor i know does not see it as being as useful as some may think. And like i said above, i am not a fan of using them to change out tires.

As stated in my initial post, Hi-Lift useage requires someone who knows what he/she is doing and who has used it before. It is NOT for someone who just became interested in off-roading and has very little experience in such. It certainly is not for someone who bought it just because it looks cool and every "serious" off-roaders should have one. Those are the wrong reasons to buy one IMHO.

WE don't have that kind of money, but Josh apparently does. He has gone through multiple suspension systems within the past few months! The guy simply does not do his homework...but, for him, he has the cash to do all of this...so, good for him. However, i also want to make things clearer for other members who may be following in his sometimes-misguided approach to modding their vehicle.

Mine doesn't come off unless there is trouble. I did use though to get my rear end really high when I did my lift, but only to get the big jackstands underneath. And I will tell you that the truck was pretty unstable until we lowered it back onto the stands. The toyota factory jack will work to change your tires, just lift the lower a-arm, not the frame, this way your don't have to stretch out the suspension.

x2. If the vehicle is unstable on hard dry pavement, then i can't imagine how stable it is when you use the Hi-Lift on uneven, soft terrain!

 

[HB 4X4]

BTW, Josh, do you a sticker of this forum on your truck? Or do you just come here for me? You are very active here...more so than the other forum, right?

Just wondering.

You guys don't even make them, so it wouldn't matter what my answer is anyways.

You confuse me Thai? Your question (above) in the last sentence is answered by your first sentence. ??

And I again say this: (with the added edit)


The more prepared the better. The winch is expensive, and will only work for so long. I unstuck a giant truck once, and the winch would have burnt out or ripped my frame in half if I hadn't first hi-lifted him out of the hole he was in.

A winch means a new bumper, which means $1500+ purchased new. Add the new tires he "should" have and that's another $1000. We don't all have money like that... "Where does that leave the hi-lift?" only $150 that's where!!

When I did the winch, bumper and AT tires, I killed my daily driving efficiency and ended up buying a little beater truck. A hi-lift won't do that to you.


I was not dogging you for your G500, at all. It sounds like it's not just bling, bling to you. My point is that just because it is bling, bling to many other people, DOES NOT DEFINE IT AS ONLY THAT. Just like the hi-lift.

HB4x4, I don't need to convice Thai of the hi-lifts value, but I do want to reassure you that it IS a good tool (of many good tools) that you should have in your bag of tricks. However, don't get to excited about using it all the time. Mine doesn't come off unless there is trouble. I did use though to get my rear end really high when I did my lift, but only to get the big jackstands underneath. And I will tell you that the truck was pretty unstable until we lowered it back onto the stands. The toyota factory jack will work to change your tires, just lift the lower a-arm, not the frame, this way your don't have to stretch out the suspension.

BACK ON TOPIC:
I was too cheap to buy mounts (blew my wad on the winch/bumper! ha). So I made my own. Mine have a similar bolt and wingnut set up. I drilled a whole through the end of the bolt and use a little luggage combination lock. It won't stop a premeditated theft, but will stop the random snatch-and-run.

The little Toyota bottle jack can reach far enough if used under the arm?

 

[HB 4X4]

CSL,



WE don't have that kind of money, but Josh apparently does. He has gone through multiple suspension systems within the past few months! The guy simply does not do his homework...but, for him, he has the cash to do all of this...so, good for him. However, i also want to make things clearer for other members who may be following in his sometimes-misguided approach to modding their vehicle.

How's the view up there on that high horse of yours? If you look at each suspension mod, there is a reason why I changed. OME lifted 3.5" when it was supposed to lift 2. Most people only got 2, so I did do my homework, I just got varied results than others. Same thing happened with the Icon springs, but I kept the shocks.

The spacers were my first lift, and when i got into offroading more, I got rid of them because I bottomed out a lot. I broke even swapping the 2/1 for the 3/2 which is the only reason why I did it. Breaking even and an easy install seemed reason enough to go a little bigger.

Anything else you resent me for besides my financial stability?

 

[CSL]

HB 4x4 & Thai:

having the last word is not as glorious as one would think, agree to disagree.

HB 4x4: let it get back on topic and maybe other people will chime in with positive comments about how nice looking (and more functional) your rig is with your new mod, otherwise this is just a public battle, not a thread about Slee Hi-lift Mounts.

One last thing: We love our rigs or we wouldn't be on a 4runner specific forum. It's okay to enjoy the way your rig "looks"...bling, bling and all. :bigok:

 

[HB 4X4]

I went off-roading today and the mounts worked great. Not a single rattle or movement whatsoever. :bigok:

 

[CSL]

I went off-roading today and the mounts worked great. Not a single rattle or movement whatsoever.

Really!? Do you have a cover over the lift mechanism? In my mount, the hi-lift is solid as a rock in the connection to the rack, but the actual mechanical assembly of the jack itself rattled a lot. I have the isolator thing for the handle, but that doesn't help the mechanical part. I ended up wrapping a bungee cord around the jack mechanism to stop the noise.

It works, but takes away from the "bling, bling"!!! HA!

 

[HB 4X4]

Really!? Do you have a cover over the lift mechanism? In my mount, the hi-lift is solid as a rock in the connection to the rack, but the actual mechanical assembly of the jack itself rattled a lot. I have the isolator thing for the handle, but that doesn't help the mechanical part. I ended up wrapping a bungee cord around the jack mechanism to stop the noise.

It works, but takes away from the "bling, bling"!!! HA!

I use the handle isolator to keep that part from rattling. For the base plate, I just wrapped a large bungee cord around it a few times from different angles to tension it enough that it doesn't move. I don't have anything covering the mechanism parts yet, but I will be ordering the neoprene boot for that part soon.

 

[trd_4runnin]

I think it looks good up there and I'm glad to hear that the mounts did a good job for their intended purpose.

I'm now completely confused because I was planning on getting a hi-lift soon and now I'm not sure if I should just save that money towards a winch instead. I originally thought a Hi-lift shouldn't be kept inside the truck due to the hazard of it coming loose, but now I also see Thai's point about exposing it to the elements. Thanks for posting and defending your opinion. And Thai, while you can be stubborn when it comes to your opinion, it is always appreciated by me. Off to do more Hi-lift research!

 

[Thai]

And Thai, while you can be stubborn when it comes to your opinion, it is always appreciated by me. Off to do more Hi-lift research!

Me stubborn? You got me confused with someone else!

Yeah, i would encourage you to do more research about actual uses of the Hi-Lift. The Hi-Lift can be tied down inside the vehicle. In my G, i have all sorts of stuff in the cargo area (tow ropes, air compressor, jumper cables, etc.)...all of these stuff can be dangerous too in a rollover or crash...so, what is the difference with the Hi-Lift??

 

[CSL]

I bet you could find some hi-lift mounting brackets that could work inside the cargo area. If secured in place it shouldn't matter if you roll it. For the other stuff, I use a mechanically fastened/modified dog screen to make SURE my stuff in the cargo is separated from the cab.