Hi-Lift Jack Mount advice

[Terrymo]

I had high lift jacks that came standard in the two old 70s cars I drove as a teenager, 75 Buick Century and a 73 Gran Torino station wagon. I changed many re-tread tires on that wagon so I am very experienced in the use of the older OEM jacks from that era. However those cars had steel bumpers and a notch the jack would fit into on each corner of the vehicles. I havn't seen how those things work not on Jeeps, I have steel bumpers but no notches for a jack. Is there something I would need to add to the Jeep in order to use one if I ever got the itch to buy one. My hydrolic jack is a little short for jacking up the front so I use a 2x4 to make up the difference but it works fine on the rear. Just curious.

Those flimsy stamped steel bumper jacks were not the equivalent of a modern Hilift but who knew any better at the time? That’s not an endorsement of a Hilift offroad except as a last resort. Too many better and safer options now.

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[Oh_Jeepers]

You'd be better off with an S hook to hang your purse on the back.

 

[Bulletbill]

It’s all fun and games until you run out of space and sheepishly have to ask us minivan drivers if we can take some of your gear.

 

[Whistle Pig]

After hauling a hired man to the ER, I mounted all the farm's hi-lift jacks in the junk yard. You couldn't pay me to take another one of those junk damn things. They will make your teeth rattle. They'll bust your jaw too...

 

[Remorseless]

I had high lift jacks that came standard in the two old 70s cars I drove as a teenager, 75 Buick Century and a 73 Gran Torino station wagon. I changed many re-tread tires on that wagon so I am very experienced in the use of the older OEM jacks from that era. However those cars had steel bumpers and a notch the jack would fit into on each corner of the vehicles. I havn't seen how those things work not on Jeeps, I have steel bumpers but no notches for a jack. Is there something I would need to add to the Jeep in order to use one if I ever got the itch to buy one. My hydrolic jack is a little short for jacking up the front so I use a 2x4 to make up the difference but it works fine on the rear. Just curious.

I would just honestly get a bottle jack with appropriate axle cradle. Believe @yokramer had a kit that was pretty good.

 

[yokramer]

I would just honestly get a bottle jack with appropriate axle cradle. Believe @yokramer had a kit that was pretty good.

@T.Pigott I bought the Safe Jack because at the time there really werent any other companies making something similar but I believe there are few other legit companies out there making similar kits. Be sure to get the base plate on its own or carry something that spreads the load of the jack it makes it way more stable on soft ground.


https://safejacks.com/
https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/bottle-jack/

 

[Terrymo]

Yes no matter what jack you choose, ideally offroad you want a wide base, a cradle with a radius for the axle and a flat wide surface for the frame, a handle long enough so you’re not sticking your head and other body parts you’d like to keep in their current format under the Jeep.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I stand by my assertion that an externally mounted Hi Lift is a cosplay on most heeps. No points to even use it and most people have no clue how to use it. At best they could use it as a winch but even more people dont know how to do that, nor have the right equipment to do it.

Up here , if you listen quiet enough, you can hear them rusting and thats about it.......

Before anyone gets all offended, I promise, I wasn't talking about you.

 

[Remorseless]

I stand by my assertion that an externally mounted Hi Lift is a cosplay on most heeps. No points to even use it and most people have no clue how to use it. At best they could use it as a winch but even more people dont know how to do that, nor have the right equipment to do it.

Up here , if you listen quiet enough, you can hear them rusting and thats about it.......

Before anyone gets all offended, I promise, I wasn't talking about you.

The rust stains on my JK's hood would be very upset if they could hear you right now!

 

[Terrymo]

I stand by my assertion that an externally mounted Hi Lift is a cosplay on most heeps. No points to even use it and most people have no clue how to use it. At best they could use it as a winch but even more people dont know how to do that, nor have the right equipment to do it.

Up here , if you listen quiet enough, you can hear them rusting and thats about it.......

Before anyone gets all offended, I promise, I wasn't talking about you.

Usually if you get offended you know it applies to you on some level at least. I hide my cosplay Hilift and Maxtrax inside the Jeep. Quite possibly two of the best selling and nearly useless recovery tools other than bonus points with the Toyota Bros at Starbucks.

 

[BDinTX]

... and Maxtrax inside the Jeep. Quite possibly two of the best selling and nearly useless recovery tools ...

I've only used my maxtrax once to get unstuck. I had dropped off a small ledge with a rock in the middle so my diff was on that and the drivers tire was airborne. I was laughing as I pulled them out because I finally had a chance to use them even though a rock would have worked just as well. They were a waste, at least I saved money by buying neon pink ones. The hideous color is a bonus since they're so ugly nobody would want steal them. I don't bring them with me anymore.

 

[Terrymo]

I've only used my maxtrax once to get unstuck. I had dropped off a small ledge with a rock in the middle so my diff was on that and the drivers tire was airborne. I was laughing as I pulled them out because I finally had a chance to use them even though a rock would have worked just as well. They were a waste, at least I saved money by buying neon pink ones. The hideous color is a bonus since they're so ugly nobody would want steal them. I don't bring them with me anymore.

I still stubbornly bring mine. I’m convinced they will somehow save the day and I will feel vindicated. Yeah probably not.

On a snow run with AT tires and inexperience I was the only one who couldn’t make it up a steep hill. One of the many smart asses in the group stood behind me a said quietly, “I bet those Maxtrax would have got you up the hill”.

 

[yokramer]

I still stubbornly bring mine. I’m convinced they will somehow save the day and I will feel vindicated. Yeah probably not.

On a snow run with AT tires and inexperience I was the only one who couldn’t make it up a steep hill. One of the many smart asses in the group stood behind me a said quietly, “I bet those Maxtrax would have got you up the hill”.

And because you didnt try them you will never know.

 

[Terrymo]

And because you didnt try them you will never know.

Steep 100 yard run…I’m lazy

 

[ML7]

I wouldn't mount one or by another - I have one in the garage and after seeing someone get smacked in the face and bleed out and then have to rush back to the ER, I wont use it or attach it to my jeep. An inflatable or simple jack is a lot safer.

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