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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: echojeff on December 27, 2005, 09:28:02 PM

Title: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: echojeff on December 27, 2005, 09:28:02 PM
I got a highlift jack(actually a Jackall) for christmas.  It looks the bumper covers will have to come off or else damage would happen.  Also, the stock bottom sides look too weak to be jacked there.  Looks like sliders are needed to to jack the thing up.  any suggestions?
Jeff
Ps  is there a good place to mount it?
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Dihnekis on December 27, 2005, 09:54:50 PM
I dont have experience with this, but I think you should invest in some sliders.

1) Won't damage your zuk

2) With a hi lift it is a good idea to only lift up one front wheel and one rear wheel at a time, not the whole front end or whole rear end.

Otherwise get a hitch for your rear bumper and jack it off that.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Uncivilized on December 28, 2005, 05:26:21 AM
You could also remove the front bumper cover, and just use the re-bar, you could jack from that.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Shredder on December 28, 2005, 06:48:42 AM
HiLift makes a couple add-ons that will let you lift it. One hooks to a wheel and another one wraps down below the soft bumper.

http://www.hi-lift.com

(http://www.hi-lift.com/images/ph_liftmate_5.jpg)

Works great unless you want to change a tire. Then you will need to put something under the axle to hold it up. They also make this "Bumper Lift" thing. It reaches under the bumper cover and can hook on the frame in some places. I place a leather glove between the bumper cover and the jack to protect the finish.

(http://www.hi-lift.com/images/ph_bumperlift_large.jpg)

If you don't have a winch, you do now. Get some shackles and a chain and you can use it with your tow strap to get you unstuck in alot of situations. Saved my |removethispart|@$$ a few times.





Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: chet on December 28, 2005, 08:08:35 AM
with no sliders and the bumper covers on there is nowhere on the body you can use a high lift. DO NOT lift on the rockers! You will crush them!  :o
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Quaddawg on December 28, 2005, 10:21:39 PM
How about the recovery loops... that would give you a 50% chance of getting the corner you need up.... :-\
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: keith on December 29, 2005, 10:52:01 PM

If you don't have a winch, you do now. Get some shackles and a chain and you can use it with your tow strap to get you unstuck in alot of situations. Saved my |removethispart|@$$ a few times.

In the picture what did you attach the top of the jack to and how did it attach?  Also how did you attach the strap to the jack?
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Shredder on December 30, 2005, 07:56:30 AM

In the picture what did you attach the top of the jack to and how did it attach?  Also how did you attach the strap to the jack?

I carry a chain with me and a couple shackles. I put a shackle in the end of the jack bar and run a chain through it. The other end of the chain goes to a tree (with tree strap). The tow strap goes between the truck and the jack arm. Take up the slack with the chain and start jacking. It moves it about 2.5 to 3' and then you have to reset it.

It only takes a few minutes to set up and pull. Usually a 3' pull gets you out of the stuck part. Once though I broke through the ice in the middle of a "trail pond"(big puddle). I had to drag the rig about 20' before I was back on top of the ice. Slower than a winch but like i said it has saved my |removethispart|@$$ more than once.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: keith on December 31, 2005, 10:24:21 PM

In the picture what did you attach the top of the jack to and how did it attach?  Also how did you attach the strap to the jack?

The tow strap goes between the truck and the jack arm. Take up the slack with the chain and start jacking.

Do you use a stretch strap or a regular fixed length one?  My longer strap is a strechable one so I wonder if I can use it or not.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Hawklin on January 01, 2006, 09:03:38 AM
Using the high lift like that is a cool idea, but isnt a come-a-long a bit easier to use with a tracker? I get between 6-8 ft pulls with my 2 ton and unless the tracker is buried to the windows it pulls easily. I'll have to show this to a friend who just got a high lift for xmas from his wife to go on their heep.  ;D
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on January 01, 2006, 09:23:32 AM
The come-a-long would be easier to use for pulling but it can't be used as a jack.

That said I own three 4x4's and there isn't a single place I can use a High-Lift on any of them so I don't own one.  I just always wheel with a buddy and have my straps and other recovery gear with me.

No offense to anyone but it seems like the only times I've seen pictures of or heard of people using High-Lifts for jacks has been when they were wheeling alone and got stuck.  Been there, done that, won't do it again.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Shredder on January 01, 2006, 03:20:14 PM

Do you use a stretch strap or a regular fixed length one?  My longer strap is a strechable one so I wonder if I can use it or not.

I use one of the ProComp straps. They are pretty heavy duty. It has a little stretch to it when winching. I use the chain to draw everything tight before I start pulling with the jack that way I have the most pull per hook-up.

When you wheel alone, like on a hunting trip, it is a usefull tool to have. The last time I had to use it I was in the bottom of a ravine with my Tracker. If another 4x4 tried to get to me to strap me out they would have just been stuck too. The HiLift let me get my Tracker in a position where I could finally get out.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: robert_h on January 02, 2006, 03:03:47 PM
I use the Hi-Lift "lift mate" accessory (Shredder posted a photo of it) which uses padded hooks to grab onto the holes in your wheels. It works great. Yes, it'd be better to have someone else along to strap you out, but that's not always possible. The Hi-Lift jack is a great tool, and it's cheap insurance. 
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: echojeff on January 03, 2006, 07:49:46 PM
A friend gave me a set ot these....
If I put U-bolts on them, can I attach them to the stock rack on my 4dr.  Is it stout enough to hold the jack?
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on January 03, 2006, 07:52:58 PM
I admittedly have never pulled or pushed on a luggage rack on a Sidekick/Tracker but if they're solidly on there and rated enough to actually carry luggage or whatever they should be able to take the weight of a HighLift without any trouble.  Their capacity should be in the owner's manual.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: echojeff on January 05, 2006, 08:45:09 PM
It say on the rack 80lbs evenly distributed.   I guess that should handle it.  I am still looking at taking the bumper covers off,  would that look too ghetto?
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on January 06, 2006, 02:27:41 PM
The rear doesn't look bad at all.  Here's mine:
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2186000-2186999/2186576_15_full.jpg)

I've also ripped off the front bumper cover but don't have pictures of that yet.  Look around, there are some guys on the forums running without them.  I think with some cleaning up (there's gotta be 20lbs of dried mud in my rear bumper, if not more), trimming off of unnecessary fittings and metal bits, and painting these bumpers don't look half bad at all.
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: Shredder on January 06, 2006, 05:46:41 PM
(there's gotta be 20lbs of dried mud in my rear bumper, if not more),

Bad design for that. When I took mine off it had a good 20 pounds of fine Oklahoma dust packed into it. Another spot that held it was the bottom rear section of the front fenders. 5 pounds in each one of those. Just imagine what a pile of salt could do in there.  :(
Title: Re: Where to use a highlift jack on a stock 4dr?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on January 06, 2006, 08:25:57 PM
(there's gotta be 20lbs of dried mud in my rear bumper, if not more),

Bad design for that. When I took mine off it had a good 20 pounds of fine Oklahoma dust packed into it. Another spot that held it was the bottom rear section of the front fenders. 5 pounds in each one of those. Just imagine what a pile of salt could do in there.  :(

Want pictures?  I can show you. ;D  Mine's not horrible but it is a bit...crusty down there.  5 pounds of crap came out of mine.  Whole leaves and twigs were in each side.  WTF was the idea with those plastic rocker covers anyways?  My cab corners are solid by the rear tail lights but the worst rust is in the rockers where they mounted...all the salt got in there and just sat.  Moronic designers...

My last Tracker was worse...but then my buddy who I bought it from did beat it like a redheaded step child when he owned it...including floating it down a river... :P