DonBaja
Nomad
Posts: 139
Registered: 5-9-2006
Location: OC
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Mood: Just Cruzin'
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Vehicle jacks
I need to get a new jack in case I need to change a tire and would like some different options. I currently have a small craftsman floor jack I carry
with me. I'm considering the hi-lift jack but haave heard they can be dangerous.
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
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well...
i own several hi-lifts. yes they can try to kill you, however there are times when they are the correct tool. a simple bottle jack is a good choise.
compact, strong, and cheap. it goes without saying one needs to be carefull with any of them. i carry 2 of them and several lumber scraps for a base
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Cameron
Nomad
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Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
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Jacks...
I've got a Hi-Lift, and while it's really, really useful (How many other jacks can you use to pull fence posts?), it can be pretty dangerous if you're
not careful with it.
I've been thinking about buying a new inflatable jack I've read about. It seems like a really good idea, and it's got great reviews, but I'd like to
try one before I lay down my $.
The one I'm talking about is from ARB, and it won the "Best New Product" award at the SEMA show in 2005:
http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/arb_xjack_111205.html
Has anyone here tried the ARB jack yet? Any Nomad reviews?
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Hi-lift jacks are dangerous in more ways than you can imagine. Was
jacking a truck up once and the lock mechanism slipped, the long metal handle caught me under the chin and lifted me about two feet of the ground,
just about ruined my day.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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lencho, It won't.
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I carry a bottle jack and a Hi lift jack as well as the vehicle jack that came with the truck. If I have to change a tire I normally use the bottle
jack. I've only used the Hi Lift to change a tire once. You do have to be careful with them. I have the large plastic foot base for mine as well as
the wheel stap.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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i prefer floor jacks but I have a Hi-Lift and the standard bottle jack that comes with the truck. They make some pretty light 2 ton floor jacks now. I
like a floor jack because they can start so low and that can be good with a trailer.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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The tire carrier has a Hi-Lift mount that is built-in. You can purchase a Hi-Lift mount that can be bolted to any flat surface as well. When using
the Hi-Lift, I always use floor jacks (if on pavement). There is also the Hi-Lift base which stabilizes the Jack when lifting your vehicle with it.
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DonBaja
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Registered: 5-9-2006
Location: OC
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After futher investigation this one looks really cool http://www.howeperformance.com/hydraulicjack.html King also makes one that runs off of cordless drill  I couldn't find any prices though.
[Edited on 4-24-2007 by DonBaja]
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bajataco
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 11-26-2003
Location: Arizona
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cameron
I've got a Hi-Lift, and while it's really, really useful (How many other jacks can you use to pull fence posts?), it can be pretty dangerous if you're
not careful with it.
I've been thinking about buying a new inflatable jack I've read about. It seems like a really good idea, and it's got great reviews, but I'd like to
try one before I lay down my $.
The one I'm talking about is from ARB, and it won the "Best New Product" award at the SEMA show in 2005:
http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/arb_xjack_111205.html
Has anyone here tried the ARB jack yet? Any Nomad reviews? |
I have used the Xjack and I like it a lot. I think it's especially useful for sand driving. And if you evaluate the locations on your vehicle where
you would be able to use it, it could be a really good addition to the recovery kit. As you can see in the photo below, you need to be aware that the
jacking height is limited by the height of the bag. On my Tacoma, there are u-bolt ends on the underside of the rear axle that prevent placement of
the Xjack there, so it has to be used under the frame. With the travel available at the rear wheel, it barely got the truck high enough on level
ground to make a tire change possible.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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What does ARB want for that thing? Pricey, like the rest of their stuff?
Small Chinese floor jacks are so cheap and lite now. "Course I would never trust one without jack stands.
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Great Subject......Thank you guys........My truck is heavy......4x4 Crew Cab 1 ton dually with overhead camper. I carry 1 small floor jack, 3 heavy
duty hydraulic 5 ton capacity telescopic cylinder jakcks, 1 handyman with attachments and 4 pieces of wood blocking which are 31/2" thick and 12"wide
and 2' long. Also carry 2 wood planks that are 2x12s 8' in length. Also different lengths of cable, 200' low sretch line and 50' of 3/8" anchor chain.
Plus two good shovels, and an assortment of shackels, nuts, bolts etc.... On occaisions and not by choice, I have at times needed to use an
assortment of these devices. It always is a good test of your ingenuity.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Your best shopping bet is to go to 'Google.com' and hit <more> and go to 'Froogle'. Comparison shopping revealed the best price of $210.00 from
roughgear.com
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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During the Baja 2000 race we were north of La Purisima watching the race. A small truck pulls up behind us with two Mexicans in the bed and two in the
cab. They all get out except for one large fellow in the passenger seat who appears a sleep or drunk. The driver ask me if I have a jack. I did and
let him have my sissor jack. The right rear tire was flat. He jacks it up and pulls the tire off, but just as he was going to put the good tire on the
jack slipped and the truck fell. No one was hurt but it did wake the guy in the truck. He gets out. He's about 6'3" and maybe 275lbs. He puts his back
to the rear bumper and picks up the truck and holds it while another guy puts the wheel on. We all clapped and yelled. I thought why did they bother
to ask for a jack with that guy along.
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TacoFeliz
Nomad
Posts: 266
Registered: 7-22-2005
Location: Here
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Mood: Exploratory
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Has anybody figured out a good solution for jackstands you can stow easily?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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only ken can PLAN on a flat
for $210 i think this girl will lift your car
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
only ken can PLAN on a flat
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Yep, I plan on flats when I run BFG tires!! 
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