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brand new hi lift issues

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by mclovin, Jul 1, 2012.

  1. Jul 1, 2012 at 8:45 PM
    #1
    mclovin

    mclovin [OP] chicka chicka, yeah!

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    ok so i got my hi lift last week, had it with me for my trail run this weekend. i didnt think i was going to need it but low and behold one of the rubicons with me busted a sidewall and needed the jack... no problem. we get it all set up and right off the bat, it would not go into neutral, had to manually pull both pins to get it to move freely. when we got it there we had to man handle the switch up and when we started jacking up it did nothing. put the switch down and it would not go down. we fiddled with it for a little bit and then gave up and used another jack. i know these things are pretty simple and the operation is mostly dummy proof, but anyone experience this before?

    i should also add that when we realized that my jack was wasting our time i just threw it back in the bed of the truck (due to the jack not fitting on the bed rail mounts. when i got home i noticed that the neutral must have kicked in because the jack was all the way down. however when i took it out and tried it again nothing. kind of frustrated with this, would like to fix this one just because i hate doing returns with online companies.
     
  2. Jul 2, 2012 at 11:34 AM
    #2
    mclovin

    mclovin [OP] chicka chicka, yeah!

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    bump?
     
  3. Jul 2, 2012 at 11:43 AM
    #3
    MrGrimm

    MrGrimm Mall Crawler

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    I have had that happen before. Throw some lube on it every now and then. Not trying to be an ass, but have you had a class on how to properly operate one?
     
  4. Jul 2, 2012 at 11:57 AM
    #4
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

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  5. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:13 PM
    #5
    MrGrimm

    MrGrimm Mall Crawler

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    Oh, I use the Hi-Lift brand neoprene cover over my jack. Before I seal it up I throw some teflon spray on all of the moving parts. About once a month I will take it out, clean it up and re-spray it.

    [​IMG]

    I also have a hi-lift repair kit with my recovery gear for that just in case moment.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:32 PM
    #6
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

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    Where did you get the repair kit from
     
  7. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:33 PM
    #7
    jsmarine

    jsmarine Well-Known Member

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    I think I would give it another try in your driveway at home, its a stress free, safe enviroment so you can see if there is a problem or not; or if it just needs some lube. Its also good to practice too, so you can get the hang of the jack.
     
  8. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:34 PM
    #8
    MrGrimm

    MrGrimm Mall Crawler

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    4 wheel parts but you can find it just about at any offroad store
     
  9. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:39 PM
    #9
    WhatThePho?

    WhatThePho? Greg Graffin 2016

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    The things required to pull bitches
    Those can be tricky. Take deans advice. oil them frequently. sometimes the pins and lever are too dry to function, a bit of CLP or Teflon lube will make it work correctly.
     
  10. Jul 2, 2012 at 12:42 PM
    #10
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

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    I'll keep an eye out next time I'm there
     
  11. Jul 2, 2012 at 2:15 PM
    #11
    mclovin

    mclovin [OP] chicka chicka, yeah!

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    i'll be the first to say that im not really 100% on the jack but even one of the older dudes with us couldn't get it to "engage".

    i guess the class you are refering to are the super blurry you tube videos? from what i've been able to make out on those, operatation of the jack looks way too easy. i guess i will have to mess with it some more this week.
     
  12. Jul 2, 2012 at 2:57 PM
    #12
    MrGrimm

    MrGrimm Mall Crawler

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    Check with local 4WD clubs if you don't want to get into some expensive recovery classes. The local TTORA chapter here will host some events that include proper use of a hi-lift. A lot of the big Expedition Portal get togethers have recovery classes that will include proper hi-lift usage. There are classes you can pay for and then there are the you-tube videos.

    Recovery can go bad real quick if you are not confident in what you are doing. Using the wrong straps/gear for the wrong situation or in-experience with gear can lead to some serious injuries.
     
  13. Jul 5, 2012 at 2:21 PM
    #13
    Skadumz

    Skadumz Well-Known Member

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    I am not to familar with to much proper recovery. My big issue is I am getting into moding my tacoma and I lifted it. Well as most might find I cant change my tires without some extra timber. Can a hi lift be used without aftermarket bumpers and or sliders?
     
  14. Jul 5, 2012 at 2:37 PM
    #14
    mclovin

    mclovin [OP] chicka chicka, yeah!

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    yeah, they sell all kinds of accessories to lift your truck or whatever. i think the most popular with people who dont have sliders or a good bumper use the wheel strap which hooks into the opening of your wheels.
     
  15. Jul 5, 2012 at 2:54 PM
    #15
    Skadumz

    Skadumz Well-Known Member

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    I am kinda confused how would I change my tire if I use my tire to lift the truck?
     
  16. Jul 5, 2012 at 3:07 PM
    #16
    Skadumz

    Skadumz Well-Known Member

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    answered to quick
    JACK STAND man I need to lay off the beers
     
  17. Jul 5, 2012 at 3:26 PM
    #17
    Hiatt1991

    Hiatt1991 Well-Known Member

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    I had the EXACT same issues you had when i got my jack. I sprayed some wd40 on the mechanism and it works flawlessly. Also be sure you jack all the way down and alk the way up. If you dont, the mechanism doesnt lock all the way. I keep a small bottle of.wd40 in my truck.
     
  18. Jul 5, 2012 at 3:56 PM
    #18
    Bobbb

    Bobbb "Rumors of Bob, but never Bob. It is Bob, right?"

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    For anyone considering ordering a wheel strap- Make sure to check the size of the openings in your wheels. Mine are only 1-3/4" so the hooks are too big to fit through them. Might work on a steel wheel, but alloys are too thick for the hook to make it through that small of a hole. I called Hi-Lift before I ordered one to see what they had to say and they told me it wouldn't fly with my wheels.
     
  19. Jul 5, 2012 at 5:01 PM
    #19
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    I wish I had picture of how I acquired my jack. I was hanging out with my buddy in the boonies at his place. He's got a shop with a bunch of smelting equipment and shit in the back, theres a concrete pad behind it but it's surrounded by really sandy dirt. So I see this hi-lift poking up out of the sand, half buried and I asked him about it. He says oh, that, you want it? I said uhh yeah, it's even a hi-lift brand. Well we pulled it out and it was packed full of moist dirt and sand so we banged it around some, then poured 10w-30 oil straight onto the thing. We let it sit for about an hour, wiped some of it off, I threw it in the back of the truck, hit it with some degreaser later and a pressure washer. Sprayed some wd on it and ta-da! They're pretty resilient, I know that doesn't help you much but... they're not too complicated to rebuild if you need to.

    I just picked up some moly disulphide spray on dry lube that I'm gonna test out on mine. Looks like pretty awesome shit and doesn't attract dust. Probably good for uniballs and everything else too. Made by Zep.

    http://www.wanderingtrail.com/Repairs_Rebuilds/Hilift_Rebuild/Hilift_rebuild.htm

    http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24007

    I think the kits are under 20$ but I'd imagine you could figure out how to fix yours without a kit since it's still new. Probably something simple. If not, contact hi-lift.
     
  20. Jul 5, 2012 at 5:07 PM
    #20
    capetaco12

    capetaco12 .<>./

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    If you pull it out on the trail its best to lube every time before use. Even if you just dump a bottle of water on it. Unlubed they are scary as fuck.
     

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