Offroad Lift Jack

Team, looking for advice on lift jacks for off-roading, I have 3-ton bottle lift jack that has base, but ran into issue that when got flat, couldn't get it under axle and had to borrow my friends F150 lift jack. this got me thinking what everyone uses who go offroading, etc?

 

Hi-lift is standard and is a good one, but it’s limited in terms of good jack points if you don’t have off-road bumpers. You can put under the receiver, but then you’d be lifting half of the truck and it’s not that secure, both which makes it pretty hard to jack. There’s a wheel strap jack point accessory for it but it’s a pain to use if you are changing a tire with it. If you have heavy duty steps or sliders @Shmellmopwho sells an attachment for Hi-lifts that makes them attach to bars very securely. He also sells a Hi-lift mount for the bedside. There’s a learning curve required to use a Hi-lift safely, it’s definitely not for the mechanically challenged.

A scissors jack is inexpensive, easier to use, stores well and can get under the axle easy enough. Some roller-type floor jacks leak if mounted vertically so you have to keep them stored flat. Harbor Freight sells a “off-road” floor type jack but it’s expensive and too large for storage if you are camping (it’s more of a OR racing type jack). I have OEM bumpers, so I have the accessory strap for my Hi-lift and I also have a scissors-type jack.

The best thing is to also carry a tire plug kit and a compressor. I didn’t even have to jack up my truck or take out the spare to fix a flat tire the last two times I got flats (from nails and screws). I just plugged the tires in place, filled them up, and carried on without any worries.

 

I carry a hi-lift mounted in the bed with a foot I got at an overland expo. I use the stock jack on the foot for lifting the rear axle (stock jack still picks up high enough to take a 35" tire off the ground with plenty of room) and the hi-lift on the front since I can set the parking brake and not worry too much about the truck shifting while lifted.

 

Not in my Tacoma but one of the other trucks on 35’s. I didn’t have a stock jack on that one and ended up with a safe jack. No downsides other than the cost.

Has different extensions so can go lower and taller.

 

Many options for this. Some carry Eagle pro jacks/badlands. Too much space taken IMO. I carry a hi lift but I’m not afraid and know how to use it. If you got the cash, go for the ARB. Same concept as the hi lift but much safer. Need jack points though such as a steel bumper, rockslides, etc.

 

What is a “lift jack” and what was special/different about the “f150 lift jack” that allowed it to work in your situation?

Personally, I’ve had success with the stock bottle jack, but have had to dig a hole to get it to fit during a recovery.

I own and have used a hi-lift jack, but consider it a piece of crap that hasn’t left my garage in a long time. I’d give it to you for free if you came to pick it up.

 

2"x 6" board. Carry it behind the back seat with the oem jack