Proper sized hi-lift jack

DON'T CHEAP OUT ON A WINCH!!!!!

There is a reason the better brands cost more. My neighbor has a FJ 40 he bought for his dad in the late sixties. It still has the original Warn winch and it works each and everytime he has needed it. My off brand 8000lb winch worked flawless everytime I needed to help my Jeep further down the trail. Then one day after I had moved it to a receiver hitch mount for use on my trailer it went up in smoke. No advance notice just out of the blue up in smoke and the armature was melted down. I guess it didn't like being stored indoors in a heated garage.

My new winch is a superwinch. Still not a warn but 2nd place IMO. Sealed solenoid pack. Little things make the difference. Do some research into magazine winch comparisons. I think JP magazine did a good one a number of years back. You need to remember that the best recovery equipment is useless if it lets you down when you are stuck or stranded. Expect to spend somewhere near a grand for a decent winch.

 

If you use it as a winch, and use it correctly, I don't think you will damage your truck. If you need to lift a wheel, you might be able to use one of those wheel lift tools hi-lift sells to do what you need.

I think the hi-lift is a great economical tool to have (I've used mine for all kinds of stuff, but nothing to do with the truck), but it's just not a tool for a chucklehead.

 

Probably get one either way just to have...they aren't ridiculously expensive and I would like to learn how to properly use one so its a win win.

 

Looks like Warn, Superwinch and Smittybuilt are some of the top contenders...WARN being the highest priced.

This Smittybilt looks real good to me. Has the synthetic rope, waterproof and wireless remote. Add a hitch cradle and a battery and done!

$559 SmittyBilt X2O-10K WATERPROOF SYN - SB98510

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-98510-Waterproof-Synthetic-Winch/dp/B00K150VAI

 

Where did you get the Hi-Lift mounts? Thx

 

I make them

 

I can use a set. How much?

 

$70 shipped to your door

 

is that a 48 or 60 in jack

 

60

 

You can always cut it to fit your needs. I doubt you will need more than a 48” IFS doesn’t articulate well. In all reality a lot of it is the cool factor. A bottle jack under the dif is a lot easier IMHO and a block underneath in case you need more height but 33” isn’t much bigger than stock as the size of lift doesn’t matter. That being said I used my hi lift to jack me up in the front or rear of the bumper and push myself on or off obstacles. Definitely not what it was made for and super dangerous. But very effective.

Definitely use the high lift a few times before you need it as if you don’t know how the mechanism works it can pinch fingers, smack faces and if it slips off your jack point while lifted 3 feet off the ground, could crush someone.

 

I run the 60 because the lift points on my front bumper sit roughly 38 inches off the ground, so it's kinda awkward to just lift with the top 8 inches of the jack (the chain point on the jack accounts for 2 inches)

Also if using it for winching purposes, the extra length is nice to have

 

Did you have to cut the jack?
Thing is hitting the end of my bed by the taillight
I'll try to copy your pic mounting positioning...

 

I carry a 2" x 6" x 12" block of wood to put under my OEM jack. Helps with soft, or uneven ground

(Stock pic, not mine)

 

alright fitting attempt #3

somewhat better

debating cutting a little off the end to clear the bed hump so it tucks in more inline

removed the claw at the end

 

No cutting fit just snug. But i dont run it anymore.

 

For the record, the 60” Hi-Lift Jack fits in a double cab short bed. No need to cut anything.

 

No I didn’t. It still had a little gap from the tailgate.

 

Is a 48inch enough to loft a 3inch truck on 33s?

 

Has anyone mounted it behind the back cab?