Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
They can be scary! The only thing I kept from my FJ60 was the jack, Toyota used them in a lot of vehicles they're all over the junkyards. Check out Chris using one @2:10, and prior to that the highlift lets go and Brad resets it:
Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
I have a hi-lift and use it on occasion, but a good bottle jack and a chunk of 4x4 wood works just as good on the trail. and for changing tires, it's usually safer.
I use the jack more for pulling, or sometimes positioning when I'm in a tight spot. I've changed tires before with it, but dang if you don't have to get the jack to the top before the tires get off the ground! never thought of strapping the axle, though. Jim might be onto something...
J.
Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
Iv got two high lifts. One I carry on the Bone (never used it)
One I have hanging around the garage/shop/back yard.
That's the one Iv used about a dozen times.
Iv found to be conformable with a high lift you need to use a high lift.
If I only use it once a year or so I feel like a baby bear tryin to pull a a sliver outa his but wearing a pair a boxing gloves
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In a never ending search for the proper mix of dirt & rock !
I have a high lift but have never used it except one time to unseat my tires when I got new ones.
I have a bottle jack for changing tires.
Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
The biggest thing is. Keep a can of WD 40 in your bag.
Without it your in for a long day...
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In a never ending search for the proper mix of dirt & rock !
I've kept mine coated in lithium grease (put tons of it on the moving parts). Never had any mechanical issues with it (pretty indestructible really).
I agree they can be handy for things other than lifting a vehicle, and I know they are standard equipment for offroaders, but I just want to throw it in the trash. I've lugged it around for 25 years and barely used it because there is just too much chance of it tipping. Even in my garage with hard level floor, it's risky to use as a jack.
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~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)
I used one along with chains years ago to recover a 1/2 ton Dodge that broke a front axle and slid off the trail on Johnny Park. If I had one along with some chains and straps etc. I would probably attempt a little more than I do in the snow, not being winced and all.
Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
what about something like this? would the wheels be an issue?
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-Ton-...ump-62309.html
Spieg (October 20th, 2016)
Have one of those in my garage. Somewhere I saw a "Big wheel" kit that you can add but it was crazy expensive ($300 or so IIRC). There are also some offroad specific floor jacks on the market but also pretty expensive.
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~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)
Since we are going there, I carry a piece of sheet metal for my floor jack. It's not much of a jack though, good enough for changing a tire.
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The Lost Boys motto: We don't know where we're going, but we'll be there for awhile. :)
Never a bad idea to carry some form of a wheel chock either.
The handle isolator is good to keep the handle from swinging down too.
I always have a Harbor wheel chock on the side of each of front seats. Handy when you have to park it on an incline or when I need to use the winch I can chock my wheels up.