High lift jack - want one, but do I need one? If yes - what for...

[FeatherWeightDriver]

The age old question of wants and needs for the brains trust...

Does anyone who has a high lift jack use it frequently and/or as a tool of last resort? If yes, what for?

I want to buy one, but I'm not convinced I need one, and certainly don't want an(other) ornament to carry around.

Given my driving is mostly touring rather than extreme 4wd work, the main scenario I can see it being useful is gaining clearance under the vehicle when in deep ruts to pack things under the tyres.

Most other scenarios I can think of would be covered by the stock jack and/or an exhaust jack (that I already have - but that does not work if the engine isn't running).

The idea of using one for winching does not thrill me, and I'm planning on getting a winch soonish anyway.

Thoughts suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
FWD

[weeds]

My fender had one on as an accessory when I purchase.....I carried it around for two maybe three years than retired it to the garage.

The main thing to consider is do you have solid enough lift points to actually use the hi lift??

Mine is now used everytime I service the rig......it levels the fender up as my front lawn is on a slight slope

I was up the beach on the weekend and it seemed like every second car had one on the roof rack....they seem to be a fashion accessory these days

[JDNSW]

Like Kelvin, I have had one for many years - gets plenty of work in and round the shed, but in over fifty years of driving Landrovers (and other four wheel drives) on and off road I have never used one "on the road" or needed one when I was not carrying it.

John

[rutmutt]

I love them and use one almost exclusively. I've changed tyres on the highway, in the bush, the backyard & on sloping driveways. It has been the most essential tool in mud recoveries when maxtraxx and winches have failed ( big day.. 6 hour recovery on the canning stock route). The only thing I've never done with it is to use it as a hand winch but I carry the chains just in case. I wouldn't tour without one and definately wouldn't go remote or solo without it.

[Tusker]

It's a love / hate relationship with these things.. but when you need them, you need them.

As mentioned, have you got enough lift points (Not under the tow bar!) I've got a steel rear bumper on my Defender, so all four corners go up. Plus under the rocksliders.

A couple of things to keep in mind..

- They're rated to say 7000 lbs. But that's only the bottom 6" or so. The top 6" is say 10% of that. I've had my hi-lift at the very top, at the rack was bowing severely, but it dis the job. Got the front wheels out between rocks.

- Throw the top clamp away, fit one of these

Rescue 42 ROC JackMate?

I imported mine years ago. Opposite Lock are now stocking them I think. Anyway, it makes the hi-lift much more versatile. They can be fitted either end, and on the bottom, the four prongs do bite into Sydney sandstone. Handy for recovering hung up Jeep Wranglers.

- When they jam, they jam when up. That is you have a vehicle in the air and can't get it down without kicking the jack over. Lubricate before use! WD40 works for me.

- All those hi-lifts hanging off the rear wheel carrier have never been used. They live in dust, and then jam.

- They are dangerous. If you get it wrong and it chatters down itself, I think the handle would have enough force to break your jaw.

- I've used mine for straightening a bent track rod, sleeving another track rod with the hi-lift handle, tying off a vehicle with chain on a side slope, tyre changing in mud with a base board, turning a D1 around in it's own length, lifting the bodywork so a popped spring will slide back in, etc.

What else - splitting wood by clamping it, jacking up a trailer under the tow bar, so a race car can get off without bottoming, there'll be more I've forgotten.

It's a bit like health insurance - the best scenario is to have it, but never need it.

Regards
Max P

[loanrangie]

I bought one ten years ago and the only use it has had is to remove fence posts, other than that it sits in the shed.

[Bushy049]

Got mine when I was 17 I'm 33 now got me out of trouble and others more times than I can remember. Very good tool but be aware they are bloody dangerous if not used with a bit of skill and care. I don't go bush without it

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using AULRO mobile app

[austastar]

Hi,
really could have used one here.



Got pulled out by a really old Toyota passing by.

Oh the embarrassment!

cheers

[Any]

I wouldn't go bush without one, I've used it countless times. I've also used it to jack roof trusses up, re-shape body parts on a ute that my foreman rolled, tighten wires on a sixteen strand game fence. I clean it before I go on a trip, lubricate it with spray n cook and wrap it in clingfilm to keep the dust off, and I've got a canvas cover for it.

[olbod]

Mine lives permanently in Me Disco and I have used it quite a number of times helping myself and others.
It is also good for doing stuff around the property.
Over the last few years I have used it in preferance to a jack.
I bought an attachment that slides onto the high lift with two enormously strong straps each with a solid hook on each end.
I just loosen the wheelnuts a little, attach the hooks to the wheel and lift it with the high lift, then just slide a stand under the axle and lower. It only takes a couple of minutes, no getting down and dirty trying to get the jack under the thingy and it works on any surface anywhere.
Saw it advertised in a 4x4 mag and I think I paid about 50 bucks.
I found it useful on a couple of occasions when some blokes had forgotten or had busted jacks.
In fact on trips now i throw a jack stand in behind the seat.