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Writer's pictureBen Farris

How to Use a Hi Lift Jack--Don't Do What I Did!

Updated: Jan 18, 2020



These instructions will help answer:

Where do I buy a hi lift jack?

How do I use a hi lift jack?

What mistakes should I avoid when using my jack?


Where do I buy a hi lift jack?

You can grab the jack I use and all the other tools included in this post here:

How do I use a hi lift jack?

First remove your jack from the mount.

Then, chock your tires with wheel chocks, rocks, or logs.


Next, find a flat area of the rock sliders near the mounting points.


Notice on these stock Mopar rock sliders,

you have a smooth, flat surface all the

way across making it easy to find an area

to set your jack. You do need to set the

jack near the end of the Jeep you'll be

working on.


On my Poison Spider rock sliders, on the other hand, I had to make sure I had a flat point of contact before starting to jack my rig.






Your hi lift jack has three positions you will set to move it up and down.

1. The up position which allows you to raise your vehicle. You will push the silver lever up to engage this position.








2. The down position which allows you to

lower your vehicle. You will push the

silver lever down to engage this position.










3. The open position which allows you to move the jack up and down along its track without weight on it. You will open the handle to engage this position.






Set your jack to the open position and pull it up until it is directly under the point along your rock slider you have chosen. Then flip it to the up position.

Begin pulling the lever toward the ground until you hear the jack click. Then slowly bring the lever back to vertical.

Repeat this action until your tire is off the ground.

When you have finished working on your machine...

Flip your jack into the down position and pull the lever toward the ground until you hear the jack click. Then slowly bring the lever back to vertical. Complete this action until your jack no longer has weight on it.


What mistakes should I avoid when using my jack?

In making this video, I discovered several mistakes you should avoid.


First, don't forget to chock your tires like

I did... Your tires will obviously start to

roll and you will be in a dangerous

situation.





Stay clear of the area between your vehicle and the jack handle (that triangle shaped area). You will feel a strong resistance as you bring the handle back to vertical. If you let go or your hand slips, the handle will snap back toward the machine.


If your jack has a winch-clamp-spreader

attachment, remove it before using your

hi lift jack to raise your vehicle. I have a

a battle scar on my rear door to show that

I made this mistake...







I hope this post was helpful to you. Watch this process in our video here. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please post them here or on our video. See you on the trails!




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