hi lift

[Dunlapx]

ok, i i have had my 3.5 lift on for a year and i finally decided to get a hi-lift jack, so that if i do go flat, i can fix it if my buddies aren't around. but i have never had to jack up my jeep with a hi lift and i was just wondering where to do it. i have all stock bumpers and side panels. so i am a little confussed on where to do it. the spot i always thought i would use (right behind the tire below the mirror) has the pinch seem there. dont want to bend that over. i also was looking on there site, and i saw that they had an attachment to hook onto the bumper. is that what i have to do???

 

[Lawn Cher']

Use a bottle (hydraulic or mechanical) jack. Hi-lifts are useless on vehicles without bumpers or rock rails.

 

[87manche]

Use a bottle (hydraulic or mechanical) jack. Hi-lifts are useless on vehicles without bumpers or rock rails.

I'll second that. I carry a 4 ton bottle jack and a chunk of 2x4 for roadside tire changes. Bottle jack goes under the LCA mount with the block of wood to keep it from slipping.

 

[GSequoia]

Actually in a pinch you *could* use a Hi-Lift jack right underneth the bumper brackets and there only. It's not a guarentee that you won't damage the Jeep in the process mind you.

The best place to use Hi-lifts though is on rock rails and hard custom bumpers. If you use them directly on the stock bumpers (meaning not at the brackets) or on any part of the body you will do damage.

 

[red_01_xj]

a hitch would work for a highlift point in th rear

 

[8Mud]

Something that everybody forgot to mention is that a high lift under the bumper has to be jacked a long ways before the tire comes off the ground.
I keep a coil of heavy nylon boat rope, in my spares box. I tie the axle to the frame (or something solid) and when I'm finished, cut the knot with my knife. I've tried chains and straps, the rope and knots are about the quickest and easiest for me in most instances (in the mud).
I've dimpled the under side of the front bumper, below the bracket on both sides of the bumper, but it's hardly noticeable. I have a trailer hitch in the back to jack on.
I use the bottle jack, when the ground is hard enough, the high jack for recovery and in the mud.
I trimmed my high jack to fit cross ways under the rear seat, it is doubtfull that it will lift high enough to change a tire, without securing the axle someway. Using piles of rock or whatever is handy to get some extra hight from the high jack, is a methode I've used, but kind of asking for trouble (something I do with great reluctance).

 

[ChiXJeff]

a hitch would work for a highlift point in th rear

Be *VERY* careful when doing this!

A Hi-Lift is not a particularly stable jack, albeit a very stout jack. That Jeep will be very unstable once the weight starts to come off the suspension. The only way I'd take a tire off this way would be if I could block under the unibody once lifted, and I'll bet it doesn't get up that far.

 

[Matthew Currie]

Having regularly used a Hi Lift jack on things other than vehicles, such as for moving small buildings, etc. I would add the comment that you should become very familiar with the way this jack acts under load before you use it in tough conditions, and learn to handle it safely. Among other things, when descending heavily loaded, the handle will spring up with considerable force, and can knock your teeth right out. No joke, that thing flies up fast and hard! As soon as the load is removed, the jack drops instantly to the ground. Hi Lifts also tilt easily, which is one of their virtues when you know how it behaves, but a problem if you don't expect it.

 

[95meangreen]

i use it on my stock bumpers all time even when not on the trail my stock jack doesnt work after my lift so i ditched and had to replace a tire and whenever i take my tires off i use it its way more convienant.