Nena Barlow explains several ways to safely use a Hi-Lift jack. Learn about jacking points, wheel lift with a Lift-Mate, and manual winching with this versatile tool.
This is awesome. I wish every how to video on RU-vid followed your format. Nothing is worse than when I search for how to use a hilift jack and get a guy talking into a camera for 30 minutes about how smart he is with no jack or Jeep to be seen.
Much Respect, She Drives a Jeep and knows how to use a Hi-Lift, "The Perfect Woman" Seriously though I have Never seen a woman so well versed when it comes to Hi-Lifts, Hats off to you Nena WTG "Respect"
When doing a “body lift”, keep in mind it’s always an option to throw a ratchet strap around the axle and frame to prevent axle droop when lifting. Keeps center of gravity low when lifting for a safer lift.
Great video very informative I think your parking brake was on when you were trying to winch with the jack. A couple of little tips I have that I do. 1. I use a base plate on my highlift jack I find not all the ground I’m on is solid so it comes in handy. 2. There are accessories for the highlift jack and by using them it can make the experience safer for example I lift a lot from my rock sliders and I have an attachment which cradles the cylinder pipe of the rock sliders better than the Jack by it’s self. 3. Whenever I’m jacking up from my rock sliders I always open the door this way if a jack does kick out it will fall into the cab, instead of it putting a nice dent in your door panel or even breaking your window. A couple of things I do differently.
I would also suggest a good piece of wood under jack. I keep friction boards (think MAXX TRAXX but not that brand) that are designed for use with a high lift jack base. Even on asphalt use something under your jack. not a fan of high lift jacks, but they do have their uses.
For safety a blanket (or even a jacket) should be thrown over the middle of the cable-this provides at least a moderate level of protection if the shackle, hook or cable breaks. This especially important as you are in direct line with it when using a jack this way.
Good morning and thanks for your time educating the world. Great information ! Lets not forget safety for that shiny door. Should that jack kick out, ( as we know that these jacks , although great, have a tendency to kick out because of the lacking base ) your door might have wished that you left it open. Otherwise ... well you know. Be safe !
The High-Lift jack is an amazing tool and unfortunately very dangerous, so your insights are very helpful. I have one, but I found this nifty little bottle jack accessery called The Bottle Jack Buddy...It's very small and about a pound of 100% US made steel and it fits right on to the plunger of my bottle jack and lifts the vehicle from the axle and so its a super safe lift option on uneven ground and doesn't have to overcome the suspension to get a tire off the ground. I've even lifted from my rock rails and love it and it's only about $60. You should do a video using that product. I'm sure your video demonstration would be amazing! Thank you for offering these instructional videos.
Great demonstration. I was considering getting a come along, but this makes me think it would be better to get a high lift jack first. However, where would I find lift points on the side of a stock Sahara Unlimited JL with the factory running board?
Excellent review and operation instructions. I bought the 48" Old school PJ Harrah edition, and it's very nice. I do not like the Chinese bolts though, promptly changed those out to grade 8 bolts and threw them in the garbage.
The underside of the body will blister using this jack with Rubi bars. Place a piece of cardboard between the body and slider before jacking to prevent the paint from blistering.
Given that there are small bottle jacks that can lift the axle rather than the entire body of the vehicle, it is much safer and easier. Lifting with a high lift jack has to overcome the entire suspension travel before that tire even begins to come off of the pavement!!!
Hey, thank you for the great information. I'm building my hi lift kit. When using a winch extension, how to you adjust the length and reset? I like the look of your setup better than chain but I can't figure out how to perform multiple resets with winch line.
I know some people use 48 and some 60. I’m in the market for one and can’t decide on size. I’m running a 34 on a 3.5 suspension lift…..thank you in advance
Good tool, but I'll stick with my bottle jack since I don't do crazy shit with my Jeep. Just like to get where I'm going instead of proving what it can do. To each it's own😊
None of my hi lifts look that good. One supported a grinder for 15 years froze up solid soaked it in used motor oil for a year now working as it should.
They must be clean and very lubed and can be very stubborn bout climbing The cross pins do need oil..the have a tendency to bow as you increase height. Stay clear of the handle.. It'll kill you.
Get the jeep in the most unusual place you will be. Because Murphy don't care if your on flat ground or on the side of hill with mega ruts and a broke axle. No sense lifting the whole jeep and suspension. I chunked my high lift jack when I had to ratchet strap the front axle to the frame just to get the wheel off the ground to repair a broke axle and hub.
Sorry but that is not a safe way to use a high-lift jack. Putting it on that smooth bar where it can slide one way or the other if it's not balanced lifting is flirting with danger . Also wearing gloves is a bad idea using the lever on a high-lift as it invites loosing grip on the lever and taking your teeth out . The lifting nose of the jack needs to be secure in a socket , in a sling or located in some kind of notch to stop it sliding sideways . If you can't do that then use a different jack like a bottle jack on blocks under the chassis or axel .
