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Hi Jack vs. Stock Jack

10K views 18 replies 14 participants last post by  MontelG 
#1 ·
This is probably a newbie question, but I don't have a lift yet and was wondering if having a lift makes the stock Jeep jack obsolete? I also have a new hi jack and was wondering if most folks with a lift use a hi Jack as a replacement for their stock Jeep jack even in normal travel?
 
#3 ·
You'll get opinions on both sides of this.

One thing to consider is where are your jacking points?

We have an XJ with steel bumpers and sliders, we can basically lift from anywhere on the vehicle. For that, the hi lift jack is very convenient, especially when in a trail condition. It also provides length and versatility that make it valuable in recovery efforts.

On our mostly stock JKUR, I am guessing I'd be breaking out the stock jack even for a trail flat. But I'd probably be limited to jacking at the axles.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Keep the stock jack, let someone else lug around the Hi Lift. I use an 8ton bottle jack and carry two pieces of trex deck boards, 4x6". We used it to change out a buddy's 40" tire, worked great. And that was after he insisted we use his hi lift and it wouldn't lift high enough and stay stable.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Keep the stock jack, let someone else lug around the Hi Lift. I use an 8ton bottle jack and carry two pieces of trex deck boards, 4x6". We used it to change out a buddy's 40" tire, worked great. And that was after he insisted we use his hi lift and it wouldn't lift high enough and stay stable.
Relying on others isn't really the best method out on the trail. With all the mounting options available, I am not sure carrying a hi-lift is any more burdensome than a bottle jack and pieces of wood. Bottle jack will work well on a flat dirt road, but will be very limited on trail conditions. Bottle jack doesn't do much in terms of recovery.
 
#13 ·
They are both good tools for different situations.
On the trail I carry both, inside the rig out of the elements. Have never used the bottle jack but it's there if needed. Nice thing about the high lift is you don't need to get under an unstable rig to get it located just right. Pretty much need "real" bumpers and/or rock rails to take advantage of the high lift.
Around town the high lift stays in the garage.
 
#16 ·
Always use stock jack or bottle jack whenever possible. Hi-lift jacks should be used only in "need to" situations because they are an accident waiting to happen especially if you don't know what you're doing. Jacking a jeep with a wood base of a couple pieces of lumber will get you plenty of clearance to change a tire even running 37s and a lift....remember lifting at the axle is WAY less work than lifting at a bumper or side rail unless you tie up the suspension which is a pain in the ass.
 
#17 ·
I've got a Hi-lift my Jeep, mostly because I got a badass OR Fab rear tire carrier and it had a fantastic place to mount one, and it looks like I know my shit. However, I've always thought of it as more of a recovery tool than a device to change a tire with or lift my vehicle for mechanical related issues. There's some great videos out there on how to use your Hi-lift as a mechanical winch for moving your vehicle, or other objects, and various other uses related to recovery.

I'm a big proponent of... It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it... However,you should still know how to use it. Growing up in and around agriculture, and working in the industry now, I've seen Hi-lifts used for many different purposes, both safely and unsafely to accomplish many different tasks.

There is no doubt it's a very universal tool, and there is also no doubt, in most cases there's a better tool to use if you have one in hand... That's not always the case though.
 
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