Change a tire in the woods jack recommendations

[rjinga]

Hey everyone,

My M1009 came to me jack-less (there is a lug wrench that may or may not fit - it came with aftermarket rims too). From what I've read, the original jacks aren't all that hot to start with. I've got a 2" lift and I'm running 33x12.50x15 tires. I looking for recommendations for a "oh-crap-I've-got-a-flat-tire-at-night-in-the-rain-in-the-woods" jack.

 

[rjinga]

Ok, I'm going to take a stab at answering my own question - a Hi-Lift jack?

 

[319]

How about a bottle jack and a couple of wood blocks? Harbor Freight has fairly decent 6 ton jacks for $20 or so. The wood blocks are to create a stable base.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I carry a Hi-Lift and an Aluminum 1.5 ton Harbor Freight floor jack. Two reasons, the floor jack is easy to use and relatively safer than alternatives. The hi-lift will work in precarious situations that the floor jack would not. Point taken-I used the Hi-lift last night when I got stuck in a rock ravine and was teetering. I went off my rear bumper and my front grill guard to lift the truck to put objects under the tires for traction. The floor jack would not have done this.

Also, the hi-lift can be used as a winch/come-along. If you like easy, carry both. If you are a minimalist, carry the hi-lift. But I would also recommend to carry a wheel chock, b/c there will be times when you need it on an incline/decline if rocks etc are not available. Attached is a photo of my uncles wheel chock (in his Jeepster Commando), with a wing nut holding it down by his left foot. It doubles as a place to rest your left foot while driving. I will be adding this as well.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

[Fleg]

How about a bottle jack and a couple of wood blocks? Harbor Freight has fairly decent 6 ton jacks for $20 or so. The wood blocks are to create a stable base.

I've done all sorts of off-roading and I've never had a problem that couldn't be fixed with some knowledge, a 6x6 wooden block, and a simple bottle jack.

Hi-lift jacks are death traps at best. I've seen too many handles snap back up and vehicles fall off of them.

 

[rjinga]

Hmmm, how about a 48" 3 1/2 ton farm jack from Harbour Freight for $45.99?

 

[Recovry4x4]

I've done all sorts of off-roading and I've never had a problem that couldn't be fixed with some knowledge, a 6x6 wooden block, and a simple bottle jack.

Hi-lift jacks are death traps at best. I've seen too many handles snap back up and vehicles fall off of them.

In the hands of a commoner I would agree with the above statement. In the hands of an experienced off roader, nothing can take their place.

I would never venture deep in the weeds without a highlift and especially without cribbing blocks. If I were cursed with only being able to take one jack in the weeds, it would be the high lift hands down.

 

[Fleg]

Hmmm, how about a 48" 3 1/2 ton farm jack from Harbour Freight for $45.99?

If it's what I'm thinking it is, it's a generic Hi-Lift.

 

[motomacguyver]

I despise harbor freight, buy the real thing, support american businesses and workers, get something you can count on, and be PROUD of it. Buying cheap throw away things is part of the reason america is so indebted to china. You will never regret buying quality.

 

[rjinga]

I've done all sorts of off-roading and I've never had a problem that couldn't be fixed with some knowledge, a 6x6 wooden block, and a simple bottle jack.

Hi-lift jacks are death traps at best. I've seen too many handles snap back up and vehicles fall off of them.

Well, I'm not an experienced off-roader yet, but I am work on it on a weekly basis .

I'm leaning toward the Hi-lift type of jack; the idea of being able to use it as a winch too is interesting. However, I can get a bottle jack at Big Lots for cheap. For the minimal additional money and added weight, I may go with both.

 

[Gottlos]

I bought and carry the Harbor Freight "farm jack". It is mounted along the passenger side behind the spare tire. I tested it out in the driveway before taking it out in the field. With the Hi-lift/farm jacks don't forget a strap of some sort to wrap/tie the axle up with. The rear bumper on my M1009 was almost at my shoulder height before the tire came off the ground and I'm 6' 2" tall.

 

[wikallen]

I carry a Hi-lift and a bottle jack on my Bronco. If you plan to use just a hi-lift, figure out your lifting points before you go out in the woods. Also, keep your chin back away from the handle. Carry a rachet strap to strap the axle to the frame when you want to lift a wheel off the ground. That way you do not have to jack as high to do so.

I would probably choose a hi-lift over the bottle jack if I only had to pick one, but I would rather have both. The bottle jack is much easier for changing a tire.

 

[boondock]

A Hi-Lift jack & plenty of cribbing works OK most of the time, even on 'stucks' that appear to be solvable only with a heavy-duty winch operation.

 

[still standing still cyco]

Hi-lift jacks are death traps at best. I've seen too many handles snap back up and vehicles fall off of them.[/QUOTE]

I will highly agree that Hi-Lift and similar farm jacks can be dangerous, mainly when used by people who are not familiar with them or taught proper use and safety, and maintenence/ lubrication. handles do fly back and injure people, and many have crushed fingers between the handle and jack, but most were a result of operator error. if you dont fully engage the jack mechanism at the end of the handle stroke, it will reverse the built-up energy and swing back. you must have a good grip and control of the handle, and if you dont have the strength or energy to fully engage it without struggle, its time to take a break or get someone to take over. and you must be very careful and thoughtful when deciding on the location of the jack on the vehicle, and the ground it is sitting on, especially if on an incline or very rough terrain. but most of it breaks down to learning proper use, having common sense, and paying attention to the task at hand. that said, it can be a lifesaver when needed. they are a multi-tool. a jack, come-a-long, use it to spread things apart(i.e. tires and fenders, etc.). i have had one in every 4x4 ive ever had. its like a gun, youd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it... if you look in my pics, i think there may be some pics that show the front of my M1010, where there are 2 Hi-Lifts strapped to the front grill guard, with a strong cable lock securing them from sticky fingers. its like dual .45s... just in case...

 

[pigfoot63]

All of my trucks are lifted and run larger tires. I do have the HI-Lift jack but most of the time I perfer to use the
HMMV. type sissors type jack. It has a large flat base plate for support. I also keep 4- way lug wrench's in all my
trucks.

 

[MWMULES]

I always jack the axle and not the bumper

 

[trukhead]

Jolly Green giant on speed dial.

 

[Fleg]

Well, I'm not an experienced off-roader yet, but I am work on it on a weekly basis .

I'm leaning toward the Hi-lift type of jack; the idea of being able to use it as a winch too is interesting. However, I can get a bottle jack at Big Lots for cheap. For the minimal additional money and added weight, I may go with both.

Using a hi-lift jack as a winch, in my opinion, was just a marketing scheme that the people who build hi-lift jacks came up with. By the time you connect everything (you now have double the recovery gear) you'll loose most of the working length of the jack to get everything cinched up and tight enough to actually pull. At best you'll have 1/2 to 1/4 of the length of the jack to actually do recovery work. If you're just hung up on a rock then that might be enough (but so would using the jack the correct way or even a bottle jack!) but if your trying to get through a bog then the search and rescue team will find you first!

For how much space and ease of use, a good bottle jack and big block of wood can't be beat.

 

[Recovry4x4]

A good scissor jack like the HMMWVs have is also a iseful too. For any of you guys considering the purchase and implementation of a High Lift jack, take the time to familiarize yourself with the jack. No only using it, study the climbing pins, learn how it works. KNowing exaclty what is happening helps you spot if a climbing pin is not seated and save from any injuries.

 

[rjinga]

... most of the time I perfer to use the HMMV. type sissors type jack.

I got a 1 1/2 ton scissor jack from Big Lots for $18.00. While I'm checking my TM manuel, can anyone go ahead and tell me if that is a high enough rating.