What Jacks Are You Using?

MaddoxPics

MaddoxPics

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Was trying to decide if I would need a new jack than the one that comes with the Toyota stock. I've read people use those fine, but am worried about weight and if I can lift it enough to get the tire off.

Currently nothing too insane. 2" lift, 285 tires, C4 sliders and bumper. Am I still fine with the OEM jack? Eventually after more upgrades, what's the best route to take as far as a jack goes?

I was leaning towards a HiLift, but after reviewing for awhile it appears those are more recovery than anything, and not recommended for changing a flat.

What are you all using for changing tires on the trail? I'm not worried about pavement, but more when off-roading.

Thanks
 
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You answered your own question. For off road use and 2in lift and looks like rock sliders installed - definatelly need HiLift.
 
Where did you see that Hi-Lifts shouldn't be used to change flats? I have used them for 20+ years to change flats. I typically throw a jack stand under the axle or the stock jack for some additional safety, but there's no reason you can't use a hi-lift if you have decent sliders.
 
Yelkceb said:
Where did you see that Hi-Lifts shouldn't be used to change flats? I have used them for 20+ years to change flats. I typically throw a jack stand under the axle or the stock jack for some additional safety, but there's no reason you can't use a hi-lift if you have decent sliders.
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I read if the ground isn't perfectly flat they aren't very unstable? If nice and flat, like on pavement there isn't much of an issue.
 
LOL, Maddox you lost me in hell a lot of double negatives but HiLift is perfect for offroad, you just have to use good judgement about placement and anticipate where can things shift. Nothing short of crane will give you 100% reassurance of stability in soft, rocky or uneven off road scenarios.
 
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LOL, Maddox you lost me in hell a lot of double negatives but HiLift is perfect for offroad, you just have to use good judgement about placement and anticipate where can things shift. Nothing short of crane will give you 100% reassurance of stability in soft, rocky or uneven off road scenarios.
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Haha just trying to figure it all out. I know my posts get confusing as all hell.
 
MaddoxPics said:
I read if the ground isn't perfectly flat they aren't very unstable? If nice and flat, like on pavement there isn't much of an issue.
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No jack that's small enough to carry along offroading is going to be stable on soft/uneven ground. Just the nature of things. You need to use some judgment and skill in how you set it up. The stability of a vehicle on a jack has as much to do with the security and chocking of the other 3 wheels still on the ground, as it has to do with the stability of the jack itself. If the vehicle can't move and the jack doesn't slip on the vehicle lift point, it won't fall off the jack.

Here are a few things to do to improve vehicle stability.
- Vehicle as level as possible, for the given terrain
- e-brake on and vehicle in park.
- Vehicle in 4wd
- Center diff lock on.
(These steps ensure that all of the wheels on the ground are providing braking action to hold the vehicle.)
- Chock at least two of the wheels that aren't being lifted.
- If the ground is soft or uneven, place the jack base on a wood board at least 2"' thick and 10" square
- Jack should be straight up and down
- Jack should contact the vehicle lift point at a 90 degree angle so there are no sideways forces applied to jack when lifting.
- Lift slowly and make sure jack stays vertical and at 90* angle to lift point. If things start shifting, ease it down and reset the jack.
- oil your Hi-lift mechanism so the pins work freely!
 
When I was in my off road club I used a Bushranger Xjack......its an airbag jack that that works off the exhaust
 
With 285s you've barley moved your jack points (rear axle tube and front lower control arm) up at all. You're fine with the factory jack or, if you're worried about it, a bottle jack. Just carry a few short pieces of lumber for putting under the jack to stabilize it in soft soil. A hi lift for changing tires on a 4runner with 285s is not necessary.
 
I use air bags at work so I would think it would be good...i never needed it on the trail and it seemed that nobody wanted to use it...
 
the toyota jack is ok for the rear for the front IMO very dangerous ..

so I purchased a 10 ton short bottle jack ..I jack up the front wheels at the lower control arm .. this lifts the whole truck about two inches so that you can do the tire removal/replacing ...

when you jack up on the frame too much vehicle lift like 12 inches causes unstable issue..

when I do my tire rotations I used the small bottle jack and my 20inch floor jack @the rear diff pumpkin .. so both rear wheels off ground 2 inch lift then the front 2 inch lift under the lower control arm very stable..
 
STX4Runner said:
With 285s you've barley moved your jack points (rear axle tube and front lower control arm) up at all. You're fine with the factory jack or, if you're worried about it, a bottle jack. Just carry a few short pieces of lumber for putting under the jack to stabilize it in soft soil. A hi lift for changing tires on a 4runner with 285s is not necessary.
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My OEM jack is a bottle jack (2017). Was OEM a different style jack in the earlier 5th gens?

I guess I should make sure my bottle jack still works after the lift. New task for the weekend, I suppose. :)

Edit: Found this if you're OEM jack isn't tall enough.
https://safejacks.com/collections/bottle-jack-accessories
 
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I've used both on my old Samurai and my TJ with 35s and on other rigs out in on the trail. I decided I prefer to use the factory bottle jack under an axle or lower A-arm over a Hi-Lift on a bumper or rock slider. I let my Hi Lift go with the Sami when I sold it and have no desire to buy another one. I carry a 1'x1'x1" thick piece of plywood to place under the jack if I am in soft dirt.

Yes, sometimes it is a bit of a PITA to get down low and properly place the bottle jack.
 
I've used the OEM bottle jack on mine and other vehicles off road. Worked fine under the axle.

Bottle jacks look pretty lame attached to a Gobi rack though.
 
I've been using this, and I even take it on offroading trips. I've used it on all sorts of terrain, and even on a muddy trail in the middle of nowhere

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