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Hi Lift Jacks and "Soft Roaders"

 
 
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Pete E
Gate Opener


Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Odometer: 4




PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 10:00 am    Post subject: Hi Lift Jacks and "Soft Roaders" Reply with quote

Hi Folks,

Just a few quick questions on using a Hi Lift jack on a “soft roader”..

I am planning on using my B series Frontera Sport for a spot of green laning and as a shooting vehicle, and I am looking to get some decent recovery equipment for it, one item of which will be a Hi lift jack. At some point in the future, I will get rock sliders added to the vehicle, but for now I was wondering how I could use it to lift the Frontera?

I am aware you can get adaptors to lift by the wheels; would these be ok to use on alloy wheels? Also, again using appropriate “adaptors”, I assume it would be safe to lift using front and rear recovery points, and also via the standard tow ball?

Regards,

Peter
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dxmedia
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Odometer: 2185




PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What makes you think that a frontera b is in any way shape or form a soft-roader? If it just as capable as any other 4x4 of the same size on the market.

The front and rear tie down points are not recovery points. You can jack off a tow bar, but you'll regret it when the jack slips and puts a lovely crease in the tail gate.

You'll want after market front and rear bumpers for real jacking points, or using tube mounted in rock sliders and the use of a landrover jack adapter for a high lift.

The high lift wheel adapters aren't great. I've got a set and never been able to use them on any 4x4 wheel I've ever had. They fit steel spoken wheels OK, but never worked on any alloy ones I've tried. Although, using basically a prussok strap through the spokes on the wheels and jacking off that. Again, unless you want a jack down the side of the trucks panel work, be careful.

Since apparently you are a complete novice to off-roading (not meaning any offence), maybe you want to ask the question of why do you want a highlift. They are lethal things. Great for tensioning fences, pulling out tree stumps, and other farm duties, but for lifting a vehicle, damn lethal.

Since you should never go greenlaning alone, a couple of strops, recovery points, waffle boards, and a shovel will get you out of 99.9% of situations. that last 0.1% a high lift probably wouldn't have helped anyway. If you are planning on shooting, then a winch with appropriate training and rated equipment.
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.
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
Odometer: 40007
Location: Northern Ireland's Gold Coast


2009 Land Rover 110 CSW

PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't answer your specific question regarding using a high lift with a Frontera but as a general reply a high lift cannot really be discribed as "safe" and should always be used with extreme caution.
__________________________________
Bert the Defender 110 XS - because it's Cool (work it out yourself!)
Lolita the Lightweight
???? the V8 90 CSW
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Pete E
Gate Opener


Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Odometer: 4




PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dxmedia wrote:
What makes you think that a frontera b is in any way shape or form a soft-roader? If it just as capable as any other 4x4 of the same size on the market.


No offence taken! And I should say that I used the term "Softroader" was a little tongue in cheek, but I bought the Frontera knowing the B series (in stock form) doesn't quite have the ground clearance of a Trooper or even an A series Frontera, it lacks locking rear diff, or even LSD, but more improtantly in this discussion, like most comparable modern 4x4's, its bodywork is not "Hi-Lift jack friendly", hence the question about the various adaptors that are now sold.


dxmedia wrote:
You'll want after market front and rear bumpers for real jacking points, or using tube mounted in rock sliders and the use of a landrover jack adapter for a high lift.


That would be the best solution and also a winch which you also mention, and I might go down that road if I keep the Frontera long term..

dxmedia wrote:
Since apparently you are a complete novice to off-roading (not meaning any offence), maybe you want to ask the question of why do you want a highlift. They are lethal things. Great for tensioning fences, pulling out tree stumps, and other farm duties, but for lifting a vehicle, damn lethal.


I've owned a Subaru 1800, couple of Troopers (which is why I am now trying the Frontera) and currently also have a Jimny at the moment. Additionally many years ago drove Landrovers and both CVR(W) and CVR(T) quite a bit.

In civvie street, most of my off roading has been done in connection with my shooting/deer stalking, but have done a bit of green laning, and now would like to do more.

Where I have no experience is with Hi Lifts which is why I am weighing up the pro's and cons of getting one..

When I've done this previously, I've always ended up staying clear of them, but I was not aware of the various adaptors on the market, hence my questions here..I do have most of the other recovery items you mention except the waffle boards, but they are also on the shopping list..
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Toseland
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Odometer: 3209
Location: cardiff


1999 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

genuinly, i have yet to see a trail fix that ultimately REQUIRED a hi-lift or farm jack type jack. i have seen many instances whereby the highlift has given way or not been locked properly resulting in 3 tonnes of landrover flapping the jack's arm around (hence they have the nickname bonebreakers in my old clubs)

i have seen them used on occasion, and successfully, but usually by people who have lots of experience with them, and almost always on something like an ARB solid plate winch bumper, or 4mm wall thickness rocksliders or the like WITH jacking points built in.

__________________________________
I live by 2 sayings:
1. The beatings will continue until morale improves
2. Pain is just Weakness leaving the body..

The feeling you get when you first smash your shaft out, is one you will never forget.. especially if you do it in front of 10 guys.
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Pete E
Gate Opener


Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Odometer: 4




PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Folks,

I think I will give the Hi Jack a miss for now, and stick with a spade and waffle boards!

Regards,

Pete
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rob-o
Winch Assistant


Joined: 11 Dec 2009
Odometer: 66
Location: farnham


1988 Suzuki SJ413

PostPosted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If agree hi-lift are potentionally very dangerous, although I feel about them as I do about steel winch cable. They recieve a lot of bad press due to miss use and lack of experience when being used. I always carry a hi-lift, I have used it on many occasions and I wouldn't be without it. Granted the vehicle itself has to be suitably prepared to get the most out of them, and they take a bit of maintenance to keep running smoothly but it is a very versatile tool.

(To expand on my steel rope comment earlier, there is nothing at all wrong with steel cable, as long as it is used correctly, maintained correctly and given a bit of respect. The amount of grief I get for not using plasma rope is ludicrous. As someone who winches for a living (forestry skidding) I see nothing wrong with the old fashioned way. I'll concede though that plasma is lovely to use, but not at the price a decent one sets you back.)

Rob

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Skids, if carried out correctly, are not just for kids.
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chrisvitarasport94
Off-Road Guru


Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Odometer: 1255
Location: South Devon



PostPosted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've used my jack 3 times to hand winch backwards, and once to lift. mindful of its unforgiving nature I keep the instructions in the glove box
__________________________________
'94 3dr s/top Sport, roof bars, roof lights, Calmini bumper, SuperwinchEP9, CB & handheld, GPS, fwh's, 8x15 alloys, 31x10.5x15 BFG MT K/M's, 2" body lift, skid plates, 2.5" susp lift, & hi-lift. Safari Snorkel. R Lockright
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TJ_in_Dubai
Just got MTs


Joined: 24 Oct 2011
Odometer: 371
Location: Dubai, UAE


1997 Jeep Wrangler

PostPosted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a hi lift. Mainly because if you need to change a flat in the middle of the desert they are they only jacks that offer the required range of lift. It's not like you can find a rock, branch, tree etc to stick under the standard jack and lift off that. Soft sand is a bitch.

Agree on the lethalness of them tho. I have only used mine a few times and then it was with extreme caution. Thankfully the Jeep TJ has beefy steel bumpers as standard so I can jack off them along their whole length.... which is nice!

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(pete)
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Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Odometer: 5806
Location: aldershot



PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I disagree entirely that a high lift is a bad bit of kit.....

They can be used to lift provided the correct and safe guidelines are met.

They can me used as a winch to pull a stricken vehicle up on to waffles if needed or out of a ditch etc etc

They can be used to straighten damage from tree contact etc to get bodywork away from wheels and keep you mobile

Find something else that can do all that and more for the money that it costs

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X-RATED 4x4 systems
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Big Dunc
Just got MTs


Joined: 09 Aug 2010
Odometer: 134




PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I love my hi lift, but use it with extreme caution as I am scared of it, mainly due to bad press.

It has, however, been very useful on the (few) occasions that I have used it in 10 years of ownership.

if you get one, make sure that you have a proper way of connecting to the vehicle, I.e. bumpers or rock sliders with the correct holes.
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** GED **
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Joined: 18 Jun 2014
Odometer: 2039
Location: Scouser



PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


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