Newbie offroader...Read this.

[BigBill]

Originally Posted by stagger_lee

No not the bumper, unless you have aftermarket steel winch bumpers or something gnarly. You might damage the stock bumpers. As SR1355 stated tow hooks are a better option. Like I said metal to metal jack points attached to frame only. Be careful. High jacks can be dangerous. Keep in mind when you are jacking something up from the front or rear it moves up on an arc thus pulling the top of the jack away from you ever so slightly, but sometimes enough to tip the jack. Be sure to always chalk tires and set brakes. Seriously, in 10 years of offroading I have used my high lift maybe 6 times, and that was in the desert when I was stuck by myself and couldnt get a tug out. Had to jack up the car and wedge stuff under the tires. Some people use it more then others, I try not too. Although the day you forget to pack it, you'll need it.

Thanks for the information. I spoke with the lead off-road instructor at Lynch Hummer and he too is not a huge proponent of the hi-lift jack and went so far as to say that it should be used as a last ditch effort.

I ended up leaving the jack at home as I didn't have a safe way of attaching it to my vehicle and it never was an issue of not having it. Several of the guys on my trip (which was awesome) had them anyway.

I agree that if you forget something, generally you will be in a situation someday when you really need the item you forgot! Hopefully at that point I will have a way to safely secure the jack to my vehicle.

Bill

[BlueTJCO]

Originally Posted by BigBill

Thanks for the information. I spoke with the lead off-road instructor at Lynch Hummer and he too is not a huge proponent of the hi-lift jack and went so far as to say that it should be used as a last ditch effort.

I ended up leaving the jack at home as I didn't have a safe way of attaching it to my vehicle and it never was an issue of not having it. Several of the guys on my trip (which was awesome) had them anyway.

I agree that if you forget something, generally you will be in a situation someday when you really need the item you forgot! Hopefully at that point I will have a way to safely secure the jack to my vehicle.

Bill

I've seen a hi-lift jack save countless asses while out on the trail. Take it with you. You will need it someday.....

[fourfourto]

Does anyone know if those inflatable jack bags work,do they go up high enough when needed offroad.
It seams it would be easy wedging them in a tight spot.

[Desert Dan]

The Hi-Lift Jack is a great tool but it can be dangerous.

[H2Finally]

Make sure you lube/WD-40 the Hi-Lift jack before every use/trip. One time mine seized up on me in the "up" position. I called Hi-Lift for help and they told me to take a hammer to "tap" it.. which swung the handle up with enough force to break my jaw if my face was 2 inch closer.. which is the reason why it can be dangerous, and why you should ALWAYS stick a big rock (or at least the spare) under the truck BEFORE going under it -- if you're using the Hi-Lift to suspend the truck.

Still, I would never consider off-roading without it. At Rubicon, I blew a bead while my truck is downhill & sideways, wedged between big rocks, in pitch darkness, and freezing temperature, with both of my kids sleeping in the back seat. Without the Hi-Lift (and H2Rocks ), I don't think any other recovery device could get me out as quickly, safely and without any damage to my rig.

[fourfourto]

I found this video on the air lift.
http://www.air-jack.com/disco3_demovid.html