A hi-lift is a good tool for what it is. It's mostly a lifter and puller. Once you get to a certain bumper height, and have not enough droop, the hi-lift is a prime user. If the droop is too excessive, without chaining up the axle to limit droop, the hi-lift becomes unstable and potentially dangerous in lifting a vehicle. Hi-lifts are good for lifting something off the ground. Good for pushing something off a rock or tree. Good for using as a winch with rigid hardware (no straps).

For a lifted vehicle with good axle clearance, I've always found a good tall bottle jack very capable of changing a tire, lifting the bumper off a rock (actually had myself pinned on an off-camber climb in all rocks and stuck my bumper on some flat rock which rolled. The rear tires weren't touching at all).

So at some point, hi-lift, at other times, a real good bottle jack. The stock bottles should work fine, but really show the limitations rather quickly. Good bottle jacks will run near $30 with a case, folding sticks (which can be used to clear broken shafts out of axle housings), and a good wide platform.
I have all but the lowest size hi-lift. I don't trust my 60" too much with my 6500# Bronco. But the bottle jack, not a problem as the suspension gets loaded as the tire is lifted off the ground.

To mount the hi-lift, do note that it is used in the elements. So using it in mud, then have to pack it inside......Can be secured very simply in parts if really necessary. Can be secured with bolts and wing nuts. Lube with lithium grease (helps keep the real dirt out). Use several times in driveway as the holes and locking shafts won't really line up. Always keep your hands tight on the handle when there is a load on it. Stand to the side of the handle. Do not place your fingers from the other hand on the jack. Once the hi-lift starts popping up and down due to the weight, it will hurt if the handle smacks you. I've seen broken fingers due to being crushed on the shaft. I've seen broken jaws when the handle slaps the face. It can and does damage. Be careful.

Yeah, but where do you mount one on a Tracker?

Since you are capable of welding something together, I'd first find out what size is really necessary for lifting your rig to change a tire. Take consideration of the droop and any future lift developments. (You can always get another hi-lift when needed.)
I'd look at getting a swing out tire carrier, add the hi-lift to the vertical mount and secure the bottom to/near the swing point. This placement requires a note of the wheel/tire depth from the backside to mount the spare.


I may sound like an old goof, but when you are not experienced or knowledgeable on the dangers, I just hate to see people get hurt.

I may sound like an old goof, but when you are not experienced or knowledgeable on the dangers, I just hate to see people get hurt.

not sayign this as a joke but u can never be to safe

If you ever get wacked in the jaw
with that handle you wish you didn't

Main problem with a Track/Kick isn't finding somewhere to mount the hi-lift but finding somewhere to use it. I lift on the front winch bumper and the rear towbar. The rear towbar is easier to get underneath without the spare wheel mounted on the door. One day I will make some rocksliders with built in jacking points too.

Ya, me too, build the sliders to make
changing tires easier, this one at a time
takes too long, I like to do one side at a
time, but the floor jack on the frame won't
lift the tires off the ground    and blocks
are too dangerous  

Wild

A shovel & winch is easier than a high lift jack anyday to get on solid ground then change your flat...

I'm talking about changing tires
in the driveway, from streets to
Swampers, one corner at a time
takes too long  

Wild

There are times when just about any recovery item is useful, from shovels and hand saws to winches and hi lifts. I beleive in being prepared and have just about everything in my Tracker; come-along, winch, hilift, shovel, bow saw, gloves, various length straps, clevis's, D-rings, etc...

I think for now my hi lift will continue to live in the back with one end up on the side, strapped to the seatbelt tower. At least it stays nice and clean this way...