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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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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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  #2  
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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  #3  
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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  #4  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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This is a lot more use in the sand
YouTube - DreamingOfDakar.com -Bowler Wildcat High Lift Ram in action!
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  #5  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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I love my hilift (no, not in that sort of way.... :-)

I never go off road without one, used it for lifting, pulling, pushing, bead breaking, as a (slow) winch, all sorts,

as they're long and (relatively) thin, you can store them quite well "out of the way" so shouldn't really be a problem, and 14kg isn't that bad... compared to a cars overall weight.
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  #6  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gilghana1 View Post
..... they dont like dust or sand in the mechanism ....
Dunk it in water or pour water over it.
Never grease them.
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  #7  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Becky,

From your post it appears you have no off-road experience. You need to get proper training to appreciate how useful a tool it is, but also how dangerous it may become in unskilled hands. The same applies to the winch. Until then, you'll be safer without them.
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  #8  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roman View Post
Becky,

From your post it appears you have no off-road experience. You need to get proper training to appreciate how useful a tool it is, but also how dangerous it may become in unskilled hands. The same applies to the winch. Until then, you'll be safer without them.
Sound advice
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  #9  
Old 14 Dec 2007
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Off roading and winching is no problem - just have never used a hi-lift myself although have seen them used.

There are jacking points on the ARB bumper but its where to jack at the rear? I plan to get someone to run through with me before I go.

This post was more of a "do I need it?"
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  #10  
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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  #11  
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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Last edited by Roman; 16 Dec 2007 at 13:22.
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