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#1
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The Hi-Lift jack
Lately I have been seeing the purveyance of opinion that the Hi-Lift jack is better left at home, and that a bottle jack is a better option for a jack on the trail. For trail fixes, changing tires, general maintenance, etc., I don't disagree.
What troubles me is that in the four years I have had one of these jacks, I've used it for recovery more than anything else. The most essential and oft-used case for me, is when I am high-centered, with little to no available traction. I apply the jack to the bumper in the direction opposite of that which I wish to travel, just so much that the transfercase skid is off the ground, and enough weight is transferred to the opposite end so that there is available traction. Leaving the jack in place, I drive away from the jack. The jack follows the Jeep, and as the jack-end of the Jeep gets traction and loads the suspension, the jack simply falls away to the side. In all this takes me about half a minute to continue on my way--I don't have one of these complicated mounting systems anymore, I just bind it upright to the cage or to the bed with bungees. I don't disagree that the jack is heavy, and I wish it were lighter. I also know there are plenty of folks out there that have them because everyone else does, but never use them. But I can't use a bottle jack in this situation. I'm sure it would tear up my carrier housing and cover pretty good, not to mention that any number of parts under the Jeep could smack it after (if) it does the same job as described above. And positioning a bottle jack to do this wouldn't always be practical either given what I always seem to get myself into. I don't have to unspool and set up a winch cable, I don't have to drag along the trail. I've done this enough and it's been so useful, I wouldn't go jeeping without it, despite it's negatives. To me, it seems like the simplest and most jeep and trail friendly solution to a simple problem. I'm not looking for affirmation or confrontation, and I realize many folks might not use it like this for good reason. What I'm asking, is if there is a better way to accomplish this? |
#2
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I don't know about a better way, but I've been doing exactly what you're talking about for the last 15 years.
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#3
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Re: The Hi-Lift jack
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#4
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Yup, a simply little tug with a strap.
Easy, and, I believe, much safer. Fred
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Fred Wilson Base - '98 Sahara, 4.0L 6 cyl, Auto (swapped from 5 sp) Suspension - 4.5" Currie Suspension Lift + 2" PA body lift, RS9000 Shocks, Currie front adjustable track bar. Currie Tie Rod and Drag Link, Currie Anti-Rock Sway Bar, Currie control arms. RE adjustable rear track bar. Axles & Lockers - Dana30/Dana44; LockRite/Full Detroit; 4.56. Drivetrain - AA SYE and CV Driveshaft, Tera 2wd lo. Armor - Full Wheels - 35x12.50 R15 MT/R's sipped on 15x7 Champion Beadlocks. Recovery - Warn XD9000i |
#5
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And the times where I can't position another Jeep and strap on the trail in the direction I want to go? What then?
What about the times I'm out with noone but my wife in the passenger seat (or her in the driver seat)? No lectures please. |
#6
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I'm one of those that has stopped carrying the Hi Lift and I even have a great rack system to carry it with. Takes me literally 30 seconds to get the jack removed off my rig. Most folks have it buried or in pieces which really strikes me as odd.
I don't like the weight and I don't like the way the jack operates. Yes it has bailed me out a number of times but I would just as soon pull out a strap or pull the winch cable. They are not the safest pieces of equipment - I always mind myself around them. |
#7
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This happens all the time on the Hammers - we simply hook up the winch to another jeep - or around a rock with a tree-saver and give a tug.
Wind up the winch rope and throw the strap in the back and away we go. The time it would take to find a safe place to hi-lift on (the terrain doesn't always give you a good spot to put the jack on) and to unload/reload and set up the jack is not worth it IMO. Jeff
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Now I've always been puzzled by the yin and the yang - It'll come out in the wash, but it always leaves a stain |
#8
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#9
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I agree that the Hi Lift jack is not the safest tool in the world.
I realize that a winch or a buddy in the right spot gets you out of this dilemma. I also realize that it might not be the right tool for some trails, like the Hammers. But I would like to stay away from discussing that. I don't have a winch. I don't always have another Jeep in front or in back of me, and can't always reposition that other Jeep (if it's there). I can't always go forwards, or go backwards. I have gotten into this situation enough, and the solution is so simple. What I'm asking, is given these conditions (which happen enough to me), is there a better way? |
#10
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To me this occurs enough so as for me not to consider it an exception. I don't want to use a come along. There are plenty of trees around me usually, but a come along is much slower than my Hi Lift jack. And my Hi Lift jack doesn't drag me along. |
#11
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Well, not having a winch makes your situation a little different. I used my Hi Lift alot when I first got my rig and didn't yet have a winch. Even after I got the winch I still carried it and ocassionally used it so I do see your point. I am at the point now that it simply became just more weight for me, so, off it went.
Personally though, if you want to do things better and safer, I think you should look into a winch or establish a budget for one. MO is that they are invaluable for getting oneself out of a mess, particularly if you wheel alone or in a very small group which seems to be your situation. Also, the new composite ropes on the market make for a huge safety improvement when using a winch as well as for ease of handling. Hard to argue with that. |
#12
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I haven't carried my Hi Lift in years. But I do wind up using one on trail for someone every now and again. If you travel with the same people over and over, make sure that SOMEONE has one, but I wouldn't kill yourself to make certain that someone was you.
I like them as a tool, respect them as such, and use it sparingly. |
#13
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I strongly agree that a winch would be a great tool for my Jeep. That said, for the reasons I have given I still think that even with a winch, there are times on the trails that I go jeeping on (which are a small fraction of the difficulty of the trails that you jeep on), in my little Jeep, that the Hi Lift jack is my preferred solution to problems that I have. Even if I had a winch to use. I think what I am getting at, is that when the question of whether to carry, use, buy, etc. a Hi Lift jack comes up, it probably deserves a little bit more context, in terms of where you are wheeling, who you are wheeling with, how you are set up, what other recovery equipment you carry, and how and why you have (or have not) used the jack in the past, and how and why you plan (or plan not to) use the jack in the future. |
#14
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#15
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What someone needs to do is develop a high strength forged aluminum alloy farm style jack that is perhaps not rated as high as a regular hi-lift, but has enough weight reduction for us weight conscious folks to re-consider carrying one.
I would pay double what a high quality Hi-Lift is worth for a lighter weight version.
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I am Savvy. |
#16
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#17
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While I prefer to use a bottle jack, there was no way it or a winch or tow stap was getting me out of that situation. As suggested, maybe one person needs to carry one for those every now and then situations? |
#18
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I totally agree that a high-lift can be used to get out of a jam. But if you don't have a wench I would suggest you carry a come along. A come along can be used with a high lift to get you out of situtions that a high-lift alone would not get you out of. I have used both a high-lift and come-along on the trail and I prefer the come along for me it is just a safer then a high lift. I have just got a wench and I am waiting on a remote but I will still carry a high lift and come along for some things. And a come along can be used around the house for like when you are putting new siding on your shed and you need to move it |
#19
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Jeff
__________________
Now I've always been puzzled by the yin and the yang - It'll come out in the wash, but it always leaves a stain |
#20
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#21
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Of course it was caused by error.....I sure as heck wouldn't park my TJ in that situation on purpose!
Or....maybe it was caused by spotter error.....I was running tail gunner that day....and you were the vehicle in front of me. Edit: note, I didn't say if it was driver error.... |
#22
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#23
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I stopped carrying a hi lift about 3 years ago. I decided it wasn't that much of a benefit after getting my old Yota high centered. I had to stack rocks just to get a lifting spot. I ended up going to a air jack. It's powered by the exhaust of your rig. Much safer and doesn't require a special lifting spot. Just stick it in under the rig and start up the engine. It only weighs about 10 pounds too.
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#24
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Re: The Hi-Lift jack
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Frank |
#25
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Is your air jack one of those "Bull Bags" that inflates to lift the entire side of the vehicle up? If so, could you please let me know where you purchased it? I have been trying to get one shipped from Australia for some time now with no luck. I had one years ago and while not perfect, I do think they are close to the value of "sliced bread". (At least to me!) Thanks in advance, Frank |
#26
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Frank,
I was waiting for you to mention the AiRock suspension. If I thought I were ready to move up in tire size and make the commitment to do it right, this would definitely be a better solution. Until then, I'll have to wait for a 2" kit. eurobob, I am also interested in more information about your exhaust jack. |
#27
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yup i still carry it around with me and use it:
I use the hi lift at least once a wheeling trip, either to do a trail repair, we dont have a winch, or we are too lazy to get the vehicle with a winch, or simply cannot get in a good position to winch. Saying that a winch is in my budget, and i will probibly still carry the hi lift with me, since this is the only jack my jeep has. Oh im also deathly afraid of the thing, i was cracked in the jaw by the handle one day when jacking up the jeep. I wasent paying attention and let of the handle to see if the tires were off the ground, and CRACK hit me right in the chin. Mouth swelled up and i was bleeding pretty good, but i kept all my teeth and didnt break anything. Just goes to show you the instant you stop fearing the hi lift it will bite ya.
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94 yj, 3.5BDS, 33x10.50kms, front lockright, rear detroit, a disced rear scout 44 with 4.88s, all sitting in a pile waiting to be bolted in. 44 willys MB bone stock being restored. |
#28
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I'm going to toss out the point of terrain. Rick is in Illinois (flatter, muddier? I don't know, one time I was in Chicago though it was so flat I could see my house in North Hollywood from a freeway overpass ) and most who don't like them are hardcore California/AZ rock guys. HiLifts are impossible in the rocks, no doubt. Different terrain may prove to require different tools, and the HiLift may just fit the bill perfectly. I don't have any problems with them, I realize how dangerous they are and try to be careful.
I always carry one, for the miriad of uses. Just last week I pulled up 10 fence posts in Los Olivos on the movie I was on, sure wa a lot easier than calling the ambulance after Teamsters tried to pull them out by hand I just don't think there is a clear cut yes or no. If you like it great, if not, don't use it.
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Sean M Higgins higs@higsrigs.com Higlet's Jeep page Deserves got nothing to do with it |
#29
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For everyone fed up with their Hi-Lift and do not want or need them please forward them to me
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ON BOARD AIR RULES!!!!01 Sport,Delayed response RULES !!!! Factory Hard Top, Auto, WARN? SYNTHETIC WINCH ROPE RULES!!!! Silverstone , D44 with Trac-Lok and 3.73:1 , LIBERTY DIESEL RULES!!!! TERA S3T 3" Lift, Currie steering box brace, MetalFusion Fenders Rule!!!!Currie steering damper, BFGoodrich Krawler RULES !!!!Bilstein Shocks,Harbor Freight winches rule!!!! GY MTR 33x1250-15 on rockcrawler Rims, Sun Performance rocker skids. Tera T-Locker's rule!!!! HUMMER SHOES RULE!!!! |
#30
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I have and will always carry a hi-lift. I am not concerned with weight. I also weighed a bottle jack this morning that was big enough to lift the scrambler high enough to change the 37's and it was 5lbs heavier than the hi-lift. Just two wing nuts and it comes right off the rack. Its also the only way I can reach the bumpers or my boulder bars to lift the jeep when I need to work on the suspension. So that said it stays.
Kory |
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