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Hi-Lift Jack Worth It?

Zandcwhite

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We've carried a hilift for 20+ years wheeling and used it dozens of times. Usually not on flat ground where a bottle jack or even the factory scissor jack will do fine. As posted above, in a boulder field when some part of the jeep is hung up it can be invaluable. Other uses that those other jacks are absolutely worthless but the hilift has come through on? Buddy flopped his wagoneer on its side at the bottom of cadillac hill. Used his winch to keep it from sliding down the hill and the hilift as a come along from a nearby tree to right the vehicle. Sure a second vehicle with a winch and a snatch block could have done the trick from below him, but I'm not one to wait for help when self recovery is an option. Tore a tie rod end out of the threads and bent the hell out of the tie rod on the wife's wj years ago, welded the tre in to the hilift handle, beat it onto the bent tie rod straightening it in the process, and welded the handle to the tie rod. Wheeled 10 miles back through the Rubicon to loon lake and drove it home. Had a leaf spring hanger rip off the frame rail, used the hi lift to clamp it back in place, wrapped it in bailing wire, and finished the trail. No other jack is as versatile even if they are better/safer at just being jacks. If you aren't wheeling hard enough to break things or get badly stuck on rocks, you don't need one.
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Eyeball

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The best uses I have seen for a hi-lift are not related to changing tires on or off the trail. I have seen them used successfully to:
  1. Sleeve a bent tie rod with the handle
  2. Help recover a high centered rig
  3. Retain the wheel when a D35 axle breaks with the handle and a few ratchet straps.
 

21JLURDG

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30+ years. I've used it only a few times: change of tire 3 or 4 times (once in 2 ft of mud, once in the sand), stabilized the rear axle to fix lower control arms (two hi-lifts & a winch), clamping cross-member to upper control arms to weld mount (two hi-lifts). I have seen on the trail: many tire changes, re-seating of tire bead, tipping vehicle off boulders, straightening and sleeving steering components, body straightening (trail use only). That's what comes to mind right now. Some of these could have been accomplished with a different tool, but none could have been accomplished by just one tool besides a hi-lift.

I've never given my Hi-Lift much thought, but I feel much better carrying one. I agree with others that say you might not need one if you don't do the same stupid things some of us like to do. For some it's just a cool accessory on the tailgate. For others, it's a necessity.
 

Shibadog

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Tell me how you're gonna get stuck, and I'll tell you what recovery gear to bring. 😜

In general, folks don't recommend using hi-lift for simply changing flats, though I have used it for that.

But the most general use case for a high-lift is getting high-centered in a boulder field, then jacking up the jeep to build a rock road underneath it. I've done that a couple times.

In general, if you're not doing enough rock crawling to need rock-sliders and under-carriage armor, then a hi-lift may not be a good tool for you to carry; especially since sliders are the hands-down most convenient jacking point.

If you're getting stuck in the soft or the mud, it's probably better allocate money and space to maxtrax. A hi-lift is just gonna sink in that case. Personally, I hate mud and avoid it when I can.

You can use a hi-lift as a come-along, in lieu of a winch, but it's a pain to do so., and I've never done it. In general, if you think you might need a winch, just install one. Then check it before you go wheeling. Don't wait until you're stuck to find out it doesn't turn on and failed mysteriously sometime in the four years since you installed it. If you're just looking for a desperation tool of last resort, a dedicated come-along is cheaper and lighter.

Read the instructions. A hi lift used incorrectly can cost you a more expensive dental bill than Matt's Off Road Recovery would charge.

EDIT: PS - do you already have a shovel? If I only have space for a shovel OR a hi lift, I'm taking the shovel and leaving the hi lift behind.
Very sound advice. I had one many moons ago in the TJ days. Found I was much better served with a winch and a shovel. Again, if rock crawling on boulders is your thing “maybe”. In the parts of the world where I’ve lived, not needed imho.
 

1996cc

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I’ve carried Hi-lift for years. Had bumpers, sliders, etc. that allowed me to use it safely. I’m also on our County’s Search and Rescue Special Vehicles team. I haven’t used a Hi-lift for myself for decades, but prior have jacked up to get unstuck, jacked up and drove away from being hi-centered, helped friends reseat beads, etc… With my newest Jeep I never bothered mounting it. Got a small bottle jack that I made fit in the factory jack location (I’ve seen brand new factory jacks fold in half the first time they were used) and called it good. My Hi-lift now serves shop duties for when I need to break beads on tires…

If I were to consider a different jack to have in/on the jeep, this one would be at the top of the list:

https://brennans-garage.com/products/tauler-jack-kit
 

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treillw

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For those of you who are proponents of the high lift, which one should I buy. All the same? Any necessary accessories?

I got an overland camper and think it might be worth having one strapped to it in some scenarios.

Thanks!
 

Tech Tim

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Go with the Hi-Lift Extreme:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/xt-605pc-hi-lift-60in-x-treme-jack

They are only $15.00 more than the standard full cast and you get a better top clamp clevis (that's the little piece on the top).

I also recommend going with the 60" model. Yes, the 48" model is easier to store, but the 60" model gives you more leverage over the jack as you are working with it.

Standard all cast:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/hl-605pc-hi-lift-60in-all-cast-jack
 

DonH63

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I bought a standard 48" a long, long time ago and use it very infrequently. A great tool when you need it and nothing else works, but I agree it's one of the most dangerous things in the Jeep after the driver. :) I have seen some significant body damage (Jeep and human) over the years when one slips off under load. At one point, after struggling with it as a come-along, I actually bought a regular come-along instead as it is much easier to use. But there are certain situations, usually involving rocky terrain with off-camber trails and blocked or high-centered rigs, when the Hi-Lift works well. Sometimes with a winch, say to lift the axle and diff over a big rock whilst winching rather than just winching and smashing parts into the rocks along the way. All IME/IMO, of course. I have friends who are die-hard believers and absolute haters of the Hi-Lift.

Since I had it already, when I got my new Wrangler, I got an inside mount from Dominion Offroad so it is out of the way. I didn't want it out front, no good mount point on rear with the XR package without mods, and the engine cowl is high enough that I did not want to mess getting it on and off. It is still bit of a PITA if I have to use it, but again that is a rare event. Buying today, I would get the Extreme model, but probably stick with 48" or find a decent exterior mounting location for the 60".

For accessories, my list includes a handle keeper, big base, and wheel lift attachment as I like having the handle secured when not in use and the base and wheel/bumper attachment has been invaluable when I actually needed the jack.

Handle keeper: https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/hk-b-hi-lift-handle-keeper though I got this one -- easier to take on and off: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F285EG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Base (I actually got a highly-rated one from Amazon that is similar to this): https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/orb-hi-lift-off-road-base
or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CZQHHZD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wheel lift: https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/lm-100-hi-lift-jack-lift-mate -- I would say this is the most useful thing I have gotten for it over the years.

I have a storage bag but not using it now that the jack is inside and just stays there.
 

Barchetta

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I bought a standard 48" a long, long time ago and use it very infrequently. A great tool when you need it and nothing else works, but I agree it's one of the most dangerous things in the Jeep after the driver. :) I have seen some significant body damage (Jeep and human) over the years when one slips off under load. At one point, after struggling with it as a come-along, I actually bought a regular come-along instead as it is much easier to use. But there are certain situations, usually involving rocky terrain with off-camber trails and blocked or high-centered rigs, when the Hi-Lift works well. Sometimes with a winch, say to lift the axle and diff over a big rock whilst winching rather than just winching and smashing parts into the rocks along the way. All IME/IMO, of course. I have friends who are die-hard believers and absolute haters of the Hi-Lift.

Since I had it already, when I got my new Wrangler, I got an inside mount from Dominion Offroad so it is out of the way. I didn't want it out front, no good mount point on rear with the XR package without mods, and the engine cowl is high enough that I did not want to mess getting it on and off. It is still bit of a PITA if I have to use it, but again that is a rare event. Buying today, I would get the Extreme model, but probably stick with 48" or find a decent exterior mounting location for the 60".

For accessories, my list includes a handle keeper, big base, and wheel lift attachment as I like having the handle secured when not in use and the base and wheel/bumper attachment has been invaluable when I actually needed the jack.

Handle keeper: https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/hk-b-hi-lift-handle-keeper though I got this one -- easier to take on and off: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F285EG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Base (I actually got a highly-rated one from Amazon that is similar to this): https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/orb-hi-lift-off-road-base
or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CZQHHZD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wheel lift: https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/jacks/lm-100-hi-lift-jack-lift-mate -- I would say this is the most useful thing I have gotten for it over the years.

I have a storage bag but not using it now that the jack is inside and just stays there.
I got a new 24 JLR and had a Hi-Lift from my 02 TJ. So I got out the tire Lift Mate and tested it with the 24 Rubi stock 33's and the OEM Black Pocketed wheels. After I lubed up the jack after many months of non-use it worked great.
The Lift Mate worked great on the 24 Rubi wheels/tires and did not damage the wheels. It's hard to see in the pix but the tire is about an inch off the ground. Pic of just the wheel is post-lift to prove no damage.

Jeep Wrangler JL Hi-Lift Jack Worth It? IMG_3683


Jeep Wrangler JL Hi-Lift Jack Worth It? IMG_3684


Jeep Wrangler JL Hi-Lift Jack Worth It? IMG_3685


Jeep Wrangler JL Hi-Lift Jack Worth It? IMG_3686


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