pugslyyy
Expedition Vehicle Engineer Guy
Since my driveway is gravel I find it a much better solution than a floor jack. But I use it around the house, don't stow it on my rig.
Offroad jacks... really?
- Thread starter beef tits
- Start date
Since my driveway is gravel I find it a much better solution than a floor jack. But I use it around the house, don't stow it on my rig.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
The guys who I know with them (or the Harbor Freight knock off) love 'em for gravel driveways.
Something you want to bring along for a weekend camping on Forest Service roads? No, of course not. Not over the factory jack, cribbing and maybe a Hi-Lift. I could see a larger full-time camper with space and payload bringing one for the ability to do more involved maintenance. They are better than a bottle jack and easier to move around than a scissor jack. The hardcore guys like them, too. But their trade-off decision fishbone is different than mine.
Just because you don't have a need doesn't mean they don't scratch an itch for someone.
Something you want to bring along for a weekend camping on Forest Service roads? No, of course not. Not over the factory jack, cribbing and maybe a Hi-Lift. I could see a larger full-time camper with space and payload bringing one for the ability to do more involved maintenance. They are better than a bottle jack and easier to move around than a scissor jack. The hardcore guys like them, too. But their trade-off decision fishbone is different than mine.
Just because you don't have a need doesn't mean they don't scratch an itch for someone.
beef tits
Well-known member
They can make a vehicle very tipsy if used improperly. I’d never put myself under an axle being supported by one.
That being said they have MANY more uses than a floor jack.
Hi Lift is a brand, they’re more widely known as ‘farm jacks’.
BTW, this reminds me, an engineer told me that hydraulic rams weren't that expensive, as he had some custom made for a project.
On higher dollar rigs, why not just build in a ram jack at the front and rear or at all four corners, (like some race cars) and forget about jack issues?
You could screw on bottom "feet" on a ram cylinder to give better footing for sand, mud, rock or whatever, screw on and off adapters.
On higher dollar rigs, why not just build in a ram jack at the front and rear or at all four corners, (like some race cars) and forget about jack issues?
You could screw on bottom "feet" on a ram cylinder to give better footing for sand, mud, rock or whatever, screw on and off adapters.
rruff
Explorer
The stock Tundra screw bottle jack has loads of travel and is light. I've lifted the whole front end with one. It might be a good idea to have two, but that should keep we well covered.
Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
I'm planning on getting one. I have a 3rd Gen 4Runner with a typical ~3" lift. Bushings on the rear control arms were shot so I got after market control arms with Jonny-joints. Really increased the articulation. Problem is, my 48" Hi-Lift now won't lift a rear tire off the ground. Taco'd a rim in Baja so I had to find a way. Ended up lifting the other side and then strapping the axle as it was compressed. Then went over to the strapped side and I could now lift it off the ground to change. Not OSHA approved, but it worked. Think I'd be much better off with one of the so called off-road floor jacks.
crazysccrmd
Observer
I used to solve that by ratchet strapping the axle to the frame and then jacking the truck up. Works great as long as you don’t need the suspension drooped to fix something.
craig333
Expedition Leader
Maybe its regional but growing up around here no one referred to them as farm jacks.
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
Called a "handy-man" here.
I have used them a lot, never for a road vehicle though lol.
Keep the pins oiled, watch for it to kick out on you and be careful with the handle and they work great.