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Hi-Lift... to ditch it or keep it?

bp71k5

bp71k5

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As I'm packing for moab, I'm again wondering where to put this dumb jack. I went and bought a hi-lift jack years ago thinking that it was a mandatory tool to have for my truck since I see every jeep and toyota 4x4 driving around with one on the roof.

So far I have pulled fence posts with it, winched over a dead tree, lifted a bunch of stuff in the garage, but I have never ONCE been able to use it to lift any part of the truck. I even have one of those "lift-mate" hooks that supposedly let you lift the truck using the holes in the wheels but it doesn't fit wheels...

I don't have bumpers that are sturdy enough to use as a jack point, so the most useful jack to me right now is a scissor jack under the axle. Is there any other even somewhat good use for these things that I should consider bringing it with me this year?
 
bp71k5 said:
Is there any other even somewhat good use for these things that I should consider bringing it with me this year?
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Well, it can be buried and used as an anchor point to winch from if there is nothing else around.

It can be used to pry things apart when needed (think smashed sheet metal or the like).

It can be used to pull things together when needed.

I can tell you this much, take the jack out and you'll end up needing it and wishing you had it with you. :deal:
 
Brian, I think maybe you need to have my buddy make you some Hi-lift mounts like he did for me.
 
I guess I did use it once to winch the truck up the driveway when the motor was out. So technically I have used it on the truck.

A scissor jack takes care of my wheel changing needs, and I could bring a small 1-ton hand wracheting winch that's about as good as the hi-lift for pulling things together and it would be much lighter and easier to pack.

I actually like the hi-lift for using around the yard (it's a great stump puller), but I'm having a hard time justifying going through the effort to bolt it down securely inside the truck when I can't dream up a reasonable scenario where it might actually be useful. The best reasonable scenario I can come up with is if I broke a wheel completely off the axle, I could wrap a chain around the end and lift the axle up off the ground. But that just makes the truck level, and I dont pack any spare d60 hubs or knuckles. I couldn't use a scissor jack for something like that.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Brian, I think maybe you need to have my buddy make you some Hi-lift mounts like he did for me.
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Thanks, but that's not necesary. ( I like the airtank mounts by the way). I have a spot to mount it, it's just that it takes up a bunch of room that I'm debating giving to other stuff. Maybe I'll just keep teh possibility open to bringing it as long as all the other stuff I want to bring gets in there. I got one more day to decide...
 
Like many other tools if used improperly they can be very dangerous. I mounted mine to the cage. It doesn't have to have a purpose as long as it looks like you are hardcore, just mount a shovel and axe nearby.:waytogo:
 
I get some use out of mine. The very first thing we used it for was to right a Rocky that had lost control and flipped on an entrance road. We've also used it to get bumpers over snags and help position vehicles in tight spots. I don't know if you west coast guys have trouble with that kinda stuff though. Oh, and remember: The one tool you need the most will be the one you left in the garage! :waytogo:
 
TerryD said:
I get some use out of mine. The very first thing we used it for was to right a Rocky that had lost control and flipped on an entrance road. We've also used it to get bumpers over snags and help position vehicles in tight spots. I don't know if you west coast guys have trouble with that kinda stuff though. Oh, and remember: The one tool you need the most will be the one you left in the garage! :waytogo:
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This is EXACTLY what I said earlier and I just can't see leaving it at home when it can be safely stored out of the way on a rollbar tube (even if it is just with some strong bunggie cords).
 
Id take it along, besides it doesnt take much room.

It already saved me from a messy situation before.:D
 
I've used mine on the trail a few times... And I've seen several of my buddies use theirs often enough as well...

All of our rigs have winches, we still find uses for the hi-lift every once in a while...



If you do leave it and for some reason you end up needing it on the trail, make sure you tell who ever you borrow one from that you left yours at home... They'll appreciate the fact that you didn't think it was necessary to take up the extra space in your rig, but didn't mind the fact that they did...

While you're at it ditch the straps, tree savers, shackles and snatch blocks... Somebody else will probably have those to...
 
Everyone except chris seems to think they are useful and only Scott had a few ideas on what to actually do with it. That's the same dilemma that's always existed...it might be needed but not for anything specific.
 
bp71k5 said:
Everyone except chris seems to think they are useful and only Scott had a few ideas on what to actually do with it. That's the same dilemma that's always existed...it might be needed but not for anything specific.
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They have their uses but they are heavy and dangerous and 99% of the time I feel I can find a better way to accomplish something than with a high lift. My .02, I knew I was in the minority before anyone else posted.
 
I rolled around the same question in my mind a couple weeks back. Made some mounts and put it on the cage.

I have a winch on the truck and hope I never need it. Same goes for the hi lift. Hopefully I never need it.

I also agree with 38377k5, they suck. They can really do a number on you if you give them the chance. I've seen a few hurled into the abyss. Not mine and not by me but am certain it made the owner feel better.
 
Well, I had a friend who got knocked out with one he let get away from him. Also seen several mashed fingers and such.

As for storage, I've been thinking about putting mine against the flat vertical section of floor pan under the rear seat. Still working on ideas for how to mount it and what to cover the running gear with.
 
cybrfire said:
I rolled around the same question in my mind a couple weeks back. Made some mounts and put it on the cage.

I have a winch on the truck and hope I never need it. Same goes for the hi lift. Hopefully I never need it.

I also agree with 38377k5, they suck. They can really do a number on you if you give them the chance. I've seen a few hurled into the abyss. Not mine and not by me but am certain it made the owner feel better.
Click to expand...

Mine makes me feel good sitting in the corner of the shop....:haha:
 
TerryD said:
Well, I had a friend who got knocked out with one he let get away from him. Also seen several mashed fingers and such.

As for storage, I've been thinking about putting mine against the flat vertical section of floor pan under the rear seat. Still working on ideas for how to mount it and what to cover the running gear with.
Click to expand...

That's where mine is mounted...

cybrfire said:
I rolled around the same question in my mind a couple weeks back. Made some mounts and put it on the cage.

I have a winch on the truck and hope I never need it. Same goes for the hi lift. Hopefully I never need it.

I also agree with 38377k5, they suck. They can really do a number on you if you give them the chance. I've seen a few hurled into the abyss. Not mine and not by me but am certain it made the owner feel better.
Click to expand...

Anything is dangerous if you don't give it the respect it deserves...

Maintenance is the biggest cause of equipment failure, Hi-Lift included...
 
I'm kind of on the fence about my Hi-Lift. In the last 10 years, I've used it just once. It's now just taking up space in the back of my Suburban. But I know the minute I take it out of my rig and go out into the wild, that's gonna be the day that I need it again.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
 
Hi-lifts are a necessity imo although i dont have one but thats just because someone else always has one so i never felt the need + lack of moneyz. in my 1 year- wheeling career at hollister hills only ive been there for about 8 weekend trips with my 76 k5,4'' lift 33x12 BF A/T ive used it for

1.lifting my front end up by the stock bumper when i dropped my right side into a 2.5 ft rut and had both right tires fully off the ground and the front dif a few inches in the ground (open difs big NO-NO). Without a high lift my only alternative would be to be dragged out backwards with my dif buried in the ground.

2. changing a tire on uneven ground, I dropped the truck twice using a bottlejack while i was under it before i mustered up the courage to ask someone for a hi-lift and then it went flawlessly

3.jeep gets stuck in snake gulch we lift up his rear and put a big rock under his tire he moves on with no problem.

Those are just a few instances off the top of my head. Point is in my opinion hilifts are great and easy to store if you got it bring it or you will likely regret it
 
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