48" or 60" Hi-Lift? - Page 2

Singha · 05-21-2008, 07:53 PM

I was also in the same situation.
I went with the 48" and I am so happy I did. the 60" is a beast.
I went with the Extreme version for the chain coker feature so I can use it for winching, figured for the price I got it for it was worth spending the extra cash.
I went in on an order with a friend so shipping was free.

I was in Tractor Supply store this past weekend and they had the Hi Lift jack in 48" Tractor Store special edition for $29.

I had to buy the Hi-Lift Jack Lift-Mate, I am going to buy the slider adapter also.
I wish there where Hi Lift Jack receptacles available on the Lucrum front winch bumper and the Warn rear bumpers.
This is the receptacles that are available on some ARB bumpers
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/hilift/DSC03608_.jpg

Here are some articles I found.

4-Wheeling How To - Using the Hi-Lift Jack

TCTR Jeep & Off-Road Journal REVIEW: Hi-Lift Jack And Accessories

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/hilift/

88gspd · 05-21-2008, 08:14 PM

With a lift up to 3", the 48" will be sufficient in most circumstances. If you have a 6" lift and/or plan to use the Hi-Lift for winching, get the 60". Buy the all-cast version as it is supposed to be tougher, and the off-road base along with it. Also, try to use the Hi-Lift only as the last resort.

I had an all-cast 60" that I carried on the ARB winch bumper of my 2" OME lifted Range Rover Classic. It was very heavy and definitely an overkill. I will buy a 48" for my OME lifted FJC.

NSBCruiser · 05-21-2008, 08:15 PM

I got a 60" on the advice of my 4X4 shop, he said with the lift and soft ground you'll need the extra length. I have used it many times and it worked out great in the soft sand of Florida, the jack sunk in a bunch. Get the 60 it is better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

blindluck · 05-21-2008, 09:03 PM

It also depends on where you mount it. My 48" fits perfectly across the rear seat footwells. A 60" would not fit there. I prefer my recovery gear and tools kept inside - where it's dry, clean, and I don't have to worry about theft unless my car gets broken into. Also, storing those things inside the vehicle means that I don't hafta lug it back and forth whenever I decide to go wheeling on a whim.

targa88 · 05-21-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

blindluck previously said:

It also depends on where you mount it. My 48" fits perfectly across the rear seat footwells. A 60" would not fit there. I prefer my recovery gear and tools kept inside - where it's dry, clean, and I don't have to worry about theft unless my car gets broken into. Also, storing those things inside the vehicle means that I don't hafta lug it back and forth whenever I decide to go wheeling on a whim.

+1 for the 48".
Same set up - kept inside!

seriousactualist · 05-21-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

blackseabk previously said:

I use my Hi-Lift jack very often with a 3 inch lift never needed more than what 48 inch provided, if for some reason I need that extra lift i could always build a pile of dirt under the base the only time extra lenght comes in handy if you try using your jack as winch which is a lot of effort on the trail.

For hand winching (or really floppy suspensions) for sure. It is work, but it might become necessary to hand winch -- e.g., when there's no other winch handy or yours breaks down! Bill Burke describes another sort of situation in which hand winching might be essential in addition to an electric winch near the of his article "Using the Hi-Lift Jack".

-- Paul

rottman · 05-21-2008, 09:50 PM

I got the 60" extreme, mounted it to the roof rack custom mounts with locks.
some people say 48" was enough, I talk to many experienced wheelers and they all said uneven, soft, holes, better to have the length and not need it then to have a jack thats to short. Its not that bad to load on the rack.

**Delray** · 05-21-2008, 10:18 PM

Awesome responses!! Wow, thanks people. I will ponder this some more.

I think the extreme version is more than I want to deal with. I have a winch and I think that one should come with a merit badge considering everything that can be done with it.

**Swingshiftworker** · 05-21-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Singha previously said:

I wish there where Hi Lift Jack receptacles available on the Lucrum front winch bumper and the Warn rear bumpers.

If you have a Lucrum winch mount with D-rings up front, you can lift the FJ by inserting the lip of the Hi-lift jack into the left or right D-shackle, which will allow you to lift the left or right front wheel without using a Lift-mate.

Just make sure your rear wheels are chocked before you do this.

**FJ FunJunkie** · 05-21-2008, 11:50 PM

I got a 60 just because it was only a couple bucks more. As a winching tool longer is better. for most applications the short one is fine or even better, if you need to only lift a rig a few inches then you have alot mor metal on top angled and ready to crush panels, but on the other hand I have used mine in a non standard way where i needed to lift my rig up quite high and actually push the whole thing sideways to get it back on trail and i was glad to have the 60. It is big as heck though, almost takes up a whole side of my roof rack. Idealy a 60 and a air bag lift would meet my needs just fine.