Hi lift jack points with nerf bars?

What are the spots one can use a hi lift jack on for a 2020 OR with factory side tubes?

The hitch is the only place I can think of aside from wheels with the wheel strap, but neither of those methods would work for changing a front tire.

 

Definitely wouldn’t use the side bars as lifting points.

 

Agreed, they get in the way of the frame though which makes even normal jacking with a floor jack a pain

 

Hi lift isn’t for changing tires, it’s for recovery. Use the bottle jack on the factory jack points for recovery.

 

Things ling lifting a wheel up, improvised winch, people seem very fond of hi lifts but I've not really seen any videos I could find that made them incredibly appealing to me given the available lift points on my OR

 

Yup. If you’re high centered to give you enough space to clear, wheel dropped too deep in a ditch, etc.

The issue is that they’re not very stable and so can be dangerous for doing something like changing a wheel. Even when lifted the stock bottle jack will give you up high enough to change a tire.

 

You would do something like lift the effected portion of the vehicle and move forward when the jack is supporting, pivoting the jack?
I've seen a video doing this but my first thought was the sheer amount of damage that could be done to a vehicle if that went wrong or the jack gouges the body. I'll make another attempt at finding off-road recovery videos and guides that hopefully demonstrate how to use hi lifts In better details. The things I could find on YouTube just showed people using as improvised winch, changing tires on the trail or lifting a vehicle on sand by rock sliders or wheel then filling in the rut, nothing too exciting.

 

Usually you lift the vehicle up and then build up the terrain underneath it, then remove the jack. Not common to drive while jacked for the obvious reasons you mentioned.

HiLift jacks are practically worthless on Tacoma without sliders, and steel bumpers. Those are really the only practical points to jack from.

 

It just occured to me that for changing a tire I could always just keep a pin lock jack stand around, lift the tire using the hi lift plus tire accessory and drop it down onto the stand.

Long term I need to replace my factory tube running boards with sliders, steel rear bumper, etc.

I think long term a hi lift + accessory kit + pin jack stand would be more versatile then this jack+stand combo??
Powerbuilt 3 Ton, Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One, 6000 Pound Capacity, All-in-One Car Lift, Heavy Duty Vehicle Unijack, Wide Base, 620471

$92 Powerbuilt 3 Ton, Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One, 6000 Pound Capacity, All-in-One Car Lift, Heavy Duty Vehicle Unijack, Wide Base, 620471

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJJZ5NI

 

I do not think a hi-lift should be part of your in-garage jacking plan. I suggest a floor jack and 6-ton (for the height) jack stands.

hi-lifts are really over hyped and only really useful in situations where nothing else works.

 

Lot of potential for danger with a high lift jack. I never experienced hi lift jacks but I have witnessed two 1970s bumper jack injuries. Saw a bumper jack pop off a big Chevrolet Caprice and beam a guy in the head. My friend crawled under his 1977 Monte Carlo to hammer on the starter. The bumper jack popped off and the car bounced on my friends face. His head swelled up the size of a basketball and he has to this day a big Frankenstein scar on his cheek. Yeah use something else.

 

Saw a video of a hi-lift handle take on a life of its own on the down/unloading stage, still in contact with the vehicle. The handle was flapping up/down, right up to where the user face would have been, if the user had not intentionally stepped back knowing what would occur. Terrifying.

 

So, Hi-Lift should really only be used when absolutely nescicarry and not really a general go-to for jacking up a vehicle outside of the garage?

Something like this jack+stand should be the default go to with a hi-lift only being used in situations no alternative is on hand?

$92 Powerbuilt 3 Ton, Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One, 6000 Pound Capacity, All-in-One Car Lift, Heavy Duty Vehicle Unijack, Wide Base, 620471

https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-6...9&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY

 

long reach floor jack on frame lift points, for wheels, tires, undercarriage. Ski

 

From everything I have read here an experienced ... there is no "default go-to for all situations".

Hi-lifts can work for winching if you do not want the real winch, just steer clear of the side of the thing when winching and know the risks. Bottle jacks are safe, and jack stands can do the holding. But jack stands that do not have a diamond-shaped insert to prevent rapid unlatching look hazardous to me. HarborFreight makes a Badlands Offroad floor jack with big wheels for dirt that comes well-endorsed (maybe not highly-praised, but recommended by many) ... $300 but looks worth the money.

Learn off-road recovery from people who have lived it, by riding with them on a weekend. Too many different situations you might encounter for "default".

 

I saw the Badlands jack which looked pretty nice and could easily be used In place of a floor jack at the home, It may not be useful in situations where one has bellied out and only has the lip of the bumper or hitch exposed though . I've been trying to find an off-road group or even courses to better familrize myself with handling off road terrain.

 

"Home" is where the lifting capacity helps, but maneuverability must be adjusted for. Big tires means harder to pivot-in-place than floor jacks with tiny wheels. Still, several tricks such as digging with a shovel to gut clearance under jacking points. And cribbing ... 2x4s and 4x4s in 2 ft sections to brace once you jack to a certain height and then start jacking again.

Anyone who thinks I am talking nonsense please guide the OP correctly.

 

If I wanted to be prepared for a potential tire change on trail it seems like the provided bottle Jack wouldn’t be a good choice if ground is loose - right?

If so any recos on an alternate to hi lift for off road / unpaved surfaces? Assuming stock build with no sliders + stock bumper still

 

I got sliders so I keep a high lift jack with me luckily I’ve never had to use it. The 12 ton Pittsburgh bottle jack has paid for itself multiple times! I keep a 2x6 with me for a platform on dirt and sand but been looking too buy a high lift platform that would work with both jacks

 

A couple of 2 ft 2x10 fragments as a base for the jack should help with sinking into the ground. Grip tape sold at Lowes will limit slippage.