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Hi-Lift Action Pics

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Gregman, Nov 26, 2013.

?

How useful and necessary is a Hi-Lift on the trail?

Poll closed Dec 26, 2013.
  1. Must-have tool that has gotten me out of a jam many times.

    40 vote(s)
    40.8%
  2. Important piece of equipment I carry on my truck though I have never actually used it.

    35 vote(s)
    35.7%
  3. Hi-Lifts are for posers.

    12 vote(s)
    12.2%
  4. What's a Hi-Lift?

    11 vote(s)
    11.2%
  1. Nov 26, 2013 at 5:46 AM
    #1
    Gregman

    Gregman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Show us your Hi-Lift in action. Show us how you mount it and where you carry it in your truck but more importantly show us what you have done with it and how you used it on the trail. How has it helped you out and possibly saved your bacon?

    I don't have any experience with one myself and would like to see specifically how they are used on 2nd gen Tacomas and what works and what doesn't work. What sliders and bumpers work best? What jacking points are better? This will help me and others decide on what direction to go with bumpers, sliders, skids, winches, and Hi-Lift mounting and useage considerations.

    Thanks :thumbsup:
     
  2. Nov 26, 2013 at 6:38 AM
    #2
    jethro

    jethro Master Baiter

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    Come on, none of these posers here actually use these high lifts... they just want to look like a bad ass!! That's why most of them are clamped to the outside of the truck, like jewelry! Hahahahahaha
     
  3. Nov 26, 2013 at 6:54 AM
    #3
    shutterbug

    shutterbug Well-Known Member

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    uploadfromtaptalk1385477569883.jpg

    That's where I mounted, and most often I use it for lifting tractor implements on the farm when connecting to the tractor... so not the normal use I guess!!
     
  4. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:01 AM
    #4
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    Hi-Lifts are nice to have but I have only used mine twice on the trail but I can post a pic. This is of me testing to see if my 48" was long enough to lift a tire after the swap and it's not :D

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:06 AM
    #5
    Conman117

    Conman117 AWESOME MEMBER

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    Thats why I got the 60". ^
    Able to change tires

    EF1B91D9-0151-4359-9B9D-C71BF79EB660-670_2cd949ec7872315f728a7db0bfe281a4affcf693.jpg
     
  6. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:25 AM
    #6
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    Just got my bed bar w/mount.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:30 AM
    #7
    Nickel

    Nickel Well-Known Member

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    does turning tires to black wall out count? How bout added snug top rebel.
    No picture, but when I was 19 I had a 79 bronco, and I buried it in a catchment pond, a man made dam to hold storm runoff. I had to ask my dads friend that had a old dodge power wagon to pull me out. He drove out to where I was stuck and told me he'd have me out in five minutes without using his truck, I looked at him like he was crazy. He pulled out his hi-lift, and a couple large blocks, laid the blocks in the mud, jacked up my rear end from the receiver, and stuffed branches and dry dirt under my rear tires. Then he did the same in the front, and I just put it in reverse and drove right out. The next day i bought a hi lift and it saved me numerous times in that bronco. A hi lift and a cumalong can get you out of a lot of situations, and in my other four wheel drive truck I carry both.
    I don't carry one in my taco yet, mainly because it's not really set up for serious off road, I don't have sliders, so the basically the only spot to lift from would be my receiver hitch on the rear bumper. Down the road, I plan on lifting, adding sliders, and front and rear bumpers, and I'll garuntee I'll be carrying a hi lift, and a cumalong!
    Also on the ranch, I use my hi lift for lifting the implements or hitches also.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:49 AM
    #8
    Haws

    Haws Well-Known Member

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    Lot's of stuff (-;
    I don't have any pics of it, but I have taken one in the chops with a high lift handle before. Broken tooth, and broken jaw. Make sure the handle is all the way down before you let go!!
     
  9. Nov 26, 2013 at 7:51 AM
    #9
    Bennett707

    Bennett707 Station707

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    nearly busted my thumb last week w/ my highlift. no doubt make sure it clicks before it slips!
     
  10. Nov 26, 2013 at 8:20 AM
    #10
    Cold Iron

    Cold Iron Well-Known Member

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    Purchased my first Hi Lift in the 70's for my FJ55, they have been around a long time. And much smoother than a Reese Farm Jack which is best left to pulling and tightening fences IMO. Used the heck out of it when I was out pushing things to the limit. But as I get older and hopefully wiser find that I need it less and less. However every once in a while it still comes in handy. I will use the OEM jack if possible but there are times when your in deep water or mud it just don't cut it and the hi lift comes out. They can be dangerous as noted and you have to be aware of what your doing.

    Agree with the come a long too, between the Hi lift and Wyeth Scott more power puller I feel comfortable in any situation. I've never wanted to go deeper into anything I've been stuck in and usually want to go back the other way. A PTO winch or even electric winch doesn't do any good when your in water up to the top of the doors. Damn beavers. You can also use the hi lift as a come a long although it is a very short pull distance wise but good for use in tandem with the come a long and overcoming the first initial rolling resistance by starting with the hi lift then switch to the come a long.

    I've had several over the years and lent them out to never be seen again. I keep mine under the storage platform in the access cab next to the OEM jack.

    HiLift_zps98242369_85963a19ff40c71d96c1fce94ff33fb62d26b9a0.jpg

    EndView_zpsaf561961_df1c09224bf7c4e208c58f33f8a52507e1032f15.jpg

    You have to keep them clean and lubed. If you don't it will be locked up when you need it most.
     
    Tibetan Nomad likes this.
  11. Nov 26, 2013 at 8:47 AM
    #11
    Gregman

    Gregman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Youtube is great! I found lots of stuff for how to use a Hi-Lift for jacking and winching but nothing really Tacoma specific. I assume the same guidelines from this video would apply:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEpAGw8opCA
     
  12. Nov 26, 2013 at 10:11 AM
    #12
    Wishbone Runner

    Wishbone Runner Because 4R

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    he he :rofl:
     
  13. Nov 28, 2013 at 12:19 PM
    #13
    magnetic11

    magnetic11 Well-Known Member

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    I picked up a Jack Jaw from South East Overland down near Clemson S.C. not to long ago. It's a hi-lift attachment made for sliders.
     
  14. Nov 28, 2013 at 12:38 PM
    #14
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    :worthless:
     
  15. Nov 28, 2013 at 12:42 PM
    #15
    MrGrimm

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    Just keep clear of the triangle of death
     
  16. Nov 28, 2013 at 2:25 PM
    #16
    Cold Iron

    Cold Iron Well-Known Member

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    There is a way to make them a bit more safer now it is called the Safe Jack Stabilizer. Just ordered it from The Bogert Group. Today through Dec. 2 they are having the first discount and using promo code gift got 15 percent off, which basically covered shipping.

    Stumbled across it on Overland Expo a while back and thought it worth researching a bit today. Found this review and ended up purchasing it. I have the off road base already but this thing seems to be for real. It still will not help against that damn flying handle if the ratchet and pin isn't seated though.
     
  17. Nov 28, 2013 at 2:46 PM
    #17
    SoCaltaco65

    SoCaltaco65 Well-Known Member

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    Cant count the times its pulled me out bad spots, not to mention folks I come across that I can't pull out, invaluable off-road tool.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Nov 28, 2013 at 3:14 PM
    #18
    JaxJim

    JaxJim Well-Known Member

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    I've had one since the early 80's. About four years ago I used that same Hi Lift to help a buddy out. Either he or I forgot to toss it back in my truck. That old friend was gone forever as I went back out and someone evidently found it.

    I used that old jack on the farm working on tractors and attaching implements (like above). Used it doing construction work. Changed many tires. Pulled myself out of the mud. Pulled stakes and fence posts out of the ground. Separated sub-frames from uni-bodies doing restoration work on cars. Pulled a boat on a trailer when the hand crank handle fell off somewhere on the way to the ramp. Pulled a boat onto a flat bed trailer to hall to the dump. Lifted the tonge on a trailer when the electric jack died.

    My gosh I could go on but those are the things I can remember. My new Hi Lift looks so sad being shiny and so new looking. It's got some wear and I'm sure the next 30 years of use it will have some of the same, great stories.

    ETA: Just remember a good one. I used it to bend a fender away from the tire on a friends car after a minor accident.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2013
  19. Nov 28, 2013 at 8:10 PM
    #19
    skygear

    skygear                    

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    #19
  20. Nov 28, 2013 at 8:20 PM
    #20
    Spoonman

    Spoonman Granite Guru

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    The top 25% of the jack height isn't supposed to be used. Pretty much everyone should have a 60.

    If you actually offroad, your hi-lift will get used. Mine has saved my ass many times. Great for breaking beads on tires and stuff too.


    Learn to use is correctly and safely.
     

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