Truckster (Vic) replied:

good quality & not that xpensive

Funny how everyone wants top qual and pay little for them.
Your better to pay more and actually GET the good one.

Search the archives on this, it has been done before, and most are against Hi Lift Jacks.... Dangerous baskets they are.

Voxson (Adelaide) replied:

well, i use a tuffstuff hilift jack and i am rapt... i use it with great ease...$145:00...
but i can lift straight under my bullbar all the way around and also i can lift under my rear bar all the way around.... conventional bars are a pain...but you can buy things that attach to your wheels to help you lift the car but a real pain in the arse if you wanna remove the wheel in question... depends on your setup whether it will be easy or hard....
PS.. and because of my side rails i can lift all down the side of my car for a recovery but i wouldnt lift there for a wheel change...___________________________________
Simpson trip 05/04 then turn left at Birdsville to Darwin via Lawn Hill etc
___________________________________

ross replied:

Hi rowen ,The 48in high lift jacks cost about $80 for the chinese made ones and about $130 for the original Hi Lift brand made I think in the US.They are an essential part of your recovery gear ,but shouldnt be relied on as an all purpose jack. If you got the room there are 60in versions as well.Trader magazines often have them 2nd hand even cheaper .Another good place is ebay and look under 4x4 access.

Member - Ross replied:

Rowen

I wouldn't be without one, but buy a U.S. product rather than el cheapo Chinese.
A lot of forumites are nervous about them but used sensibly they will extract you from spots where nothing else will ... with anything near the degree of ease.

A bottle jack under the axle in mud or sand ... leave it out. If you're hung up on rocks they're the only answer, unless you want to winch it off and drag out the rest of the under belly while you're at it.

CheersFidei defensor

Rosco

Member - JohnR replied:

Rowen,

I think they are part of the recovery arsenal. I agree with Truckster they can be dangerous and have found that. Have the potential to scratch parts of your truck you would not normally reach.

I bought one last year for Mothers Day, yes she was impressed with the tow hook too.

Look to see the lift capacities and the Chinese ones are not as high rated as the originals. I have a block of wood screwed to the bottom of hers to spread the load and be better on concrete floors to stop slipping. It also extends the lift a couple of inches.Regards

JohnR - Not enough of the right travelling, some here..... some over there.......

glenno replied:

i have a hi lift jack bolted to my roofrack . its out of the way and forgotten , but if i ever need to use it its there . i wouldnt own a four wheel drive without one . got mine from arb . also got the bracket that lets you attatch it to the eyes on the front of the bullbar . (also from arb) .

maverick replied:

If you have the room to carry, the money to purchase, and the vehicle with proper jacking points then get the best one available. Then, before you actually need it, have a go and make sure you can use it in a safe manner. When used correctly they are a great piece of equipment to have. When misused they are like most things - a bit on the dangerous side (Sort of like a snatch strap really). If you are unsure of how to correctly use the jack or have never used one in the past get the person selling it to you to give a demo - just stand well clear. rgds

navaraman replied:

Look in the recovery gear of this site and they recommend them as an essential item. Nuff said. I've never used mine in an emergency, I've had practice runs with it. I may never need it but it there in case I do. Bit like the Epirb really. Buy one and hope you never need to use it.

Coops (Pilbara) replied:

DON't touch the chinese one. Pay the xtra bucks and buy the Hi-Lift model from ARB.
I have a cheap 2nd hand Chines one for sale as I've just replaced it with Hi-Lift.
Used it yesterday on a trailer axle repair job and it was superb. Was always scraed of the other one failing and it wouldn't loer due to faulty pins.