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Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
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  #1  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Hi-Lift Jack
Just to discuss something other than LC vs LR.....

Back to the point - just got a hi-lift jack sent through with compliments from a 4x4 company and not wanting to turn down anything thats free.....BUT its very heavy!

It is a 4ft jack and I do wondor if I'll ever use it? and hence is it worth carrying the extra weight (14KG) as I have a winch? What do you think?

Also where can i jack the rear of the toyota up?

Cheers

Becky
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  #2  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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I think there is a hook and chain accessory you can get for rounded bumpers
though not much use if it's plastic. Probably more use than a winch in the desert but very dangerous if not used properly. It you google hi-lift you should get lots of info on their use. I've used one a lot around the farm and always carried it in the desert but never been that stuck.
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Old 13 Dec 2007
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Leave it at home and use a good quality hydraulic bottle jack - much quicker to use

- the problem with a rack jack is you have to jack up the chassis/body until the wheel lifts - the bottle jack under an axle etc lifts the wheel straight away

I find they are better in muddy conditions, where its not always easy to get under the vehicle and place a bottle jack, you can also cast the vehicle to the side with them.

and yes they are heavy, a pain to store on/in the vehicle and as mentioned can be dangerous - if the handle is left down and it starts to self lower.

cheers
Grif
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Old 13 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
....- the problem with a rack jack is you have to jack up the chassis/body until the wheel lifts ....

You just strap the axle to the frame so it doesn't droop.

They can also be handy for breaking the tire bead.
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  #5  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Hi Becky,

You can use the rear chassis rail for jacking on an 80 - what sort of winch bar do you have at the front - for ARB style ones will need additional attachments to hook onto the lower lip.

Personally I hate hi-lifts and would rather stick to the standard 80 bottle jack and then an air bag jack for the rare muddy jacking.
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  #6  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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I also am not a fan. Big, heavy, they dont like dust or sand in the mechanism and if that handle slips through your hand before the pin locks I don't even want to think about it...

I bought one and it sat in a corner doing nowt (it is still there). I would say a good thing for extreme off roading in experienced hands but dubious for expedition use. Maybe worth it if you see yourself doing heroic sand and jungle action.

I have thought about a modified hydraulic cabin lifting cylinder from a MAN truck - kind of like a really long stroke skinny bottle jack with a small remote pump. But I have no idea of the lifting capability, but it would be light and easy to stow, and capable of lifting a considerable height.

Gil
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  #7  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
You just strap the axle to the frame so it doesn't droop.
Exactly - more messing around

in the time it takes to get the hi lift out and the vehicle raised strapped up etc - you can finish the tyre change with the correct size bottle jack
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  #8  
Old 16 Dec 2007
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Talking I like this thread! Honest!
Hi,

I am wondering how you guys avoid messing around with a bottle jack to perform such jobs off-road as:

- change tyre in mud or in a rut
- move wheels out of a rut
- lift a high centered or hung car off an obstacle
- change broken shocks or springs
- straighten, clamp or pry out objects or body parts, bumpers
- break bead on a tyre
- improvise a winch anchor
- use as walkabout winch
- use the handle or rail separately as improvised spare parts or for tasks requiring leverage, support, as a funnel extension, club, etc.

To mention just a few common uses. And with a simple webbing and hook attachment (Lift Mate) you can also lift a single wheel off the ground.

So, there's nothing wrong with a bottle jack, as long as you stick to tarmac or watch someone else getting you out of a tight spot using a hi-lift.
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