NorCal FJs

FJ Cruisers of Northern California

I was reading another forum and one of the threads pointed me to a bunch of articles written by Bill Burke, one of them was about the basic gear you should have to start and the Hi-Lift Jack was at the top of the list. I was reading a thread here that stated its useless for stock FJs? Can/should use rock rails with this jack or is it's only use a poor winch on a stock FJ TT? Unless I also buy the wheel adapter. I have a factory installed hitch but I'm not thinking that should be used to lift anything, let along pull (LOL). Thanks in advance for any advice.

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I have used it with stock rock rails, just be careful as the stock ones are tucked close to the body. The wheel adapter would help in putting rocks under said tire but will not help in changing the tire out. As far as the rear hitch, that is what I use as my main recovery point in the rear, so far so good.

For recovery, a receiver shackle bracket, a few shackles, and a snatch strap comes in very handy.  The OEM hitch is plenty strong enough for use in snatching, winching, and lifting off of.

I don't have a hi-lift jack myself, they scare me too much... and fortunately I have never used one.   But as I understand it, you can lift at the wheels using a lift-mate and lift from rock rails using an adapter.  I wouldn't try lifting from a receiver without some sort of adapter, likely to slide about. I'd likely lift off the shackle on my receiver shackle bracket IF I had to.  I think I rather lift from a wheel or sliders.

I always off-road with buddies, they are the best recovery tools.

who you calling a tool? well maybe, but that's besides the point... never wheel alone if you can help it. hi-lifting from the rock rails is the best way to do it and there are adapters for that as well, Wabfab (google it) sells them. pulling from the trailer hitch is always the best way recovery point but I wouldn't ever use it to hi-lift from don't do its a bad idea

Hey BZ,

I'm gonna have to contraire you on this one. :)  Lifting from the rear hitch is completely fine so long as you use the recovery hitch and D-shackle.

If you have to use the rear for recovery, be cautious because it's better to pull the truck forward rather than jerk it backward. We all know that's not always an option, though, so if the rear is going to be tugged, do it with a strap rather than a chain. (I hate recovery chains anyway but they are a necessary evil.)

Using a Hi-Lift has it's dangers but when used properly, it's safe. If you're using the rock rails to lift the truck, open the door first. That way if the thing slips and moves toward the truck, at least your door doesn't have a big dent in it. Another hint: when you set the jack up, lean it away from the truck because as the truck elevates, the jack will lean into the truck.

I have been thinking about having a recovery day out at Hollister. Not so much a class but more of a hands-on gig so everyone can dust off their equipment, use it as it was intended, and give/get tips and suggestions on how to use everything. I'd have to gauge interest first, though.

M

Sweet!  I would be willing to go to a "Hi-Lift training" session.  Ever since I bought one, I was fortunate enough to never have to use it, but still always carry it around.  I went to the Esprit de Four class last year, but they just did a quick demo with a hypothetical situation.  They didn't actually use the lift on an actual rig to show how it should properly be used.

I think that's a great idea.  I'd be up for that.

I would be interested too!

I've heard to "never wheel alone" a bunch of times.  Trust me, I'm listening to that advice.  Suppose to just show my cousins how proud I am of my FJC and sure enough I was like hey lets go to the mud pit and Thats all I gotta say. ARGH but thats 6 months ago I'm over it.

/// the basic gear you should have to start and the Hi-Lift Jack was at the top of the list.///

I came across a used one from a fellow off-roader I work with,. Plenty of youtube vids for those who want to learn how to use one, especially at the companies site. Shows the rescue pulling technique too. Useful equipment in the right hands. practise on your driveway first, do a tire change to get familiar with it, do a front then do a back. I have an arb front bumper so I have front lift points but until I get a steel rear bumper this spring I have no factory lift points except from an aftermarket Curt hitch receiver with a fabricated steel pick point plug-in I made at work.

For other list items of importance; hi-lift jack plastic base to increase footprint, especially good in sand, winch, tree saver straps, snatch-block or two, 3/8 chain X 25 feet, recovery elastic inertia strap X 30 ft, various sized shackles from 5/8 inch up that fits your equipment. shovel, air compressor, axe, flashlight/batteries, cb radio, tool kit, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, boy this list is becoming lengthy. I often travel with mountain bikes and wife and son but solo vehicle, so I bring everything.

Another addition would be gps, boy that list just keeps growing.

Steve Hope

Here is another discussion on the topic as well.

http://norcalfjs.com/forum/topics/what-hilift-jack-should-i-buy?id=...

Just a heads up - I've been waiting for a slider adapter order from WabFab for more than half a year, with many emails back and forth with him promising to send it. He once sent a "overstock for sale" email with slider adapters listed while also claiming that he was out of stock to me directly. The guy is a straight up crook. Google him and you'll find endless threads on how he just takes people's money and never sends a product. He's also got an F rating from the BBB.

Do not order anything from WabFab. Spread the word. Good luck finding an adapter.

Everything I'm reading says to avoid the Wabfab adaptor like the plague. I found this on TRDparts4U.com It's a tube adaptor for rock sliders Item # 152440. I can vouch for them, having ordered several things in the last few months, very reliable and good people!

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