What Hi-Lifts are crap?

[Mich88XJ]

I told my parents I wanted a "Hi-Lift" jack for christmas, and they got me one by Larin that was a "High Lift" jack, but not the name brand I was referring to. It is made in china and I know a lot of the off brands are kinda crappy, anyone have experience with these? Thanks, Christian

 

[FELIX]

It will probably be fine, & sure better than nothing. What is it rated at? One good thing about the High Lift brand, is that they use a 2 piece handle, while most others use 1 piece. The handle will give, before the jack pumping arm, which will still aloww you to use the jack, if you overload it & break the handle. Is it a cast or stamped steel jack? Cast is said to be better.

 

[gearwhine]

any high-lift in the 48" category is crap, go 60" or just bum one off me on the trail...as someone has to do on almost every trip. _nicko_

 

[Lucas]

Real name brand hi-lifts can be sketchy enough as is on the trail. Try not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but see if you can return it and put the money towards a real one. The price difference is 20 dollars max.

 

[Moto]

It cant be too bad, In a pinch I have even used my stock jack that came with my Jeep, and stacked it up on some wood to raise my Jeep. If that thing can do it, I am sure that you will be fine. Like was said before tho, you should check to see what it is rated at to make sure that it wont break. but it also depends on what you want to do with it. For just lifting your Jeep, that isnt an extremely difficult task because XJ's arent THAT heavy, but when you start using it as a tool for winching etc. is when you may exceed its limits.

 

[lunghd]

Dunno about that brand but avoid the Harbour Freight clone jack... Their POS display jack in the store was even falling apart. Crap top to bottom.

Big Red clone jacks are good but the handles are welded on where the Hi-Lift handles are detachable.

Yeah, go with the biggin' if possible... you can always not use the extra ability... but it's hard as heck to stretch one that's too short.

 

[tnomud]

I just bought a Carolina Jack from Pep Boys for $49 and it looks way nicer than the one at Harbor Tool for $39. I used it and like it. I am just trying to figure out where to mount it now.

 

[bbaker80]

I carry an all cast HiLift and a small floor jack with me on the trail. Had I known better I would have went with the 60" instead of the 48" but I end up using the floor jack more often than the HiLift because it's so much more stable. I've never used anything but a HiLift as far as that style jack goes, so I can't really speak to the durability and saftey of anything else.

 

[lunghd]

One quick note: I grabbed a small piece of 1/4" steel plate about 12" x 12" and drilled holes to match the hi-lift's base.
Two sets of holes allow center mounting or offset to counter any vehicle lean. Three bolts w/ nuts allow me to bolt it to the foot of the jack if I'm on sand / soft dirt and spread the load a bit for stability. It's small enough that when not on the jack it fits under one of the rear floor mats unseen.

 

[89TrailXJ]

Dunno about that brand but avoid the Harbour Freight clone jack... Their POS display jack in the store was even falling apart. Crap top to bottom.

Thats what I have is the Harbor Freight 48" Farm Jack. Works great for me. Saved me on a couple times now.

 

[Lincoln]

Check out this store if you shopping.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/Stores.html

The Midvale store has offered to ship stuff for me so you might be able to mail order from them. The sell the 48" and 60" jacks for $49.

Also most farm supply stores carry the hi-lift brand for reasonable prices.