Lift + Tires = Need to buy Hi-Lift Jack??

[IPvFletch]

I'm paying extra for the 5th spare wheel/tire upgrade.

How am I expected to lift my JL with the factory jack if I get a flat tire????

I don't see any way around it. I have to get a Hi-Lift and mounting brackets, right???

The wife is going to kill me if I spend another $100!!

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[1quick1]

$55 for a hunk of plastic but I bought one of these AEV jack blocks: https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-Spare-BOOSTER-Mopar/dp/B004T636JS

 

[IPvFletch]

I was thinking about this 1quick1, but man I can get a hi-lift for the same price. Plus I still need to have the factory jack and I'm not sure how safe it would be with that. Plus, still gotta store that somewhere and my cargo tub is full already.

sighhhhh

 

[JIMBOX]

If your jeep has stock bumpers---the factory jack, as inconvenient as it is, will lift either axle high enough to change ANY SIZE TIRE YOU USE--

You just should carry a couple small blocks of wood-as much/long as I've used the HiLift--it won't do you any good untill you've modified your jeep-

I always carry my HiLift, but use elec jack for any NORMAL TIRE CHANGE-and HiLift for emergency's-

W.E.

JIMBO

 

[IPvFletch]

Good to know, I guess I will see how close it is and then decide! Thanks!

 

[Sheepjeep]

All in all the jack will probably still work, keep in mind that the stock jack lifts off your axle tubes and not the frame so you are only only tire height change needs to be accounted for.


Always worth a test check in the driveway, if you find you need more height just grab some scrap wood like a 2x4 or a few plywood sheets and to put under the jack. Does the same as that arb thing but cheaper.

Also if you plan on going on the trails good to have at least a piece of plywood to act as a base to help spread the load over uneven or soft ground.


Hi lifts are great but the lift off the body so you need extra stuff to protect and be stronger than the body. Like steel bumpers and rock rails, and they are not the safest thing.

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

Generally speaking I think Hi-Lifts have become vehicle jewelry, and if you wheel with a group SOMEBODY will have one. You can get a lot done with a bottle jack, possibly even the stock jack (once lifted). I think stock and bottle jacks are safer too since you don't have to lift the body up so damn high to change a tire or to repair something.

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

Hi lifts have a limited purpose, but they are generally a waste and a dangerous one at that. Use a bottle jack instead, and a jack base like an AEV one.

 

[kkuntz01]

I’ve owned 3 JK’s and now a JL, and still don’t own a hi-lift jack.

Admittedly they can be useful in certain self recovery situations, however I’d never consider using them to jack a vehicle up to change a tire. They’re just plain not safe for that sort of use as they lack stability.

On a wheeling trip once I saw someone using a hi-lift when changing out a tire because they blew a bead. I quietly laughed because what should have been a one man job turned into a 4 man job. One guy trying to keep the hi-lift stabilized (this was on fairly level ground), two trying to keep the XJ stabile, while the fourth was hurriedly trying to remove the flat tire and swap on the spare all the while hoping he didn’t end up with a Jeep on his lap.

 

[mikej]

It’s spendy, but this looks like a good way of being able to stably use a bottle jack offroad: https://safejacks.com/collections/bottle-jack-accessories/products/universal-bottle-jack-stabilizer

 

[Alacon01]

I'm just going to echo a bit here for no reason. A hi-lift is probably the most useful single tool for off-road, and probably one on the hardest to use and most dangerous.

I mean a bottle jack will be great for that use, but if you wanted to be a real badass you could always go airbag...

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

I bought a hilift before I know anything about jeeps, just thought it's something you need to have. I've never used it, ever. It's a complete waste of money.

 

[Pavementfree]

I you don't have a winch or want back up just in case your winch fails the hilift is great. They work much better then old school come-a-longs. However like everyone else has said the lack stability for actually lifting you vehicle. These low pressure air bags from ARB are great option for off road lifting.

http://store.arbusa.com/Bushranger-X-Jack-Complete-Kit-72X10-P3589.aspx#

 

[Covfefe]

 

[OffRoadWarehouse]

Remember Hi-Lift jacks are only useful if you have a piece of steel (rocker guards, Steel Bumper, ETC) that you are willing to lift against.

That said, Hi-Lifts will lift higher and easier, but come with a lot more potential damage and danger.

I personally will grab a bottle jack in almost every situation, but I want to have a Hi-Lift in case the bottle jack wont cut it

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