Hi-lift vs Farm lift vs no lift?

[nxski]

I was scoping our lifts at princess auto and the Hi-life is twice the price of a farm lift. The hi-lift didn't show a weight rating but the farm lift was rated to 2 tons. Is there a reason nor to get the farm lift instead? Also, the jacking points for the L300 are a fair distance from the side of the vehicle so will either of these even work?

[rezdiver]

unless you have rocksliders and stout bumpers i would not be too keen on using one on your delica. you have to be very close to the body and the foot only sticks out a few inches.

you can get adapters that sling and cradle your wheel and lift from the rims so you dont have to get close to your body.

there are different models of highlift with different accessories so that may be the price difference.

[rezdiver]

HI-Lift:
rated 2100kg, their test limit is 7000lbs.
if it was me i would buy the name brand highlift for the extra few bucks.

http://www.hi-lift.com/hi-lift-jacks/index.html

Liftmate wheel adapter:
http://www.hi-lift.com/accessories/lift-mate.html

[pajerry]

Don't bother as there isn't anywhere you can use it on your van. And why would you want that wheel lift? If you gotta jack its probably for a flat. I would just carry some sturdy wood blocks if the factory jack is no longer long enough, or is that even the problem?

I always laugh at SUV's with roof baskets with shovels, jerry cans, and hi-lifts that you can't use to jack your xterra, grand vitara or fjcruiser anyways !

[thedjjack]

Hilifts can be seriously dangerous...

Very useful if you have bumpers that you can use one on and you can use them to pull (winch)..however the handle can remove your face if not extremely careful and they tend to slip off.

It is nice to be able to lift 4 feet plus straight up sometimes..

[rezdiver]

Don't bother as there isn't anywhere you can use it on your van. And why would you want that wheel lift? If you gotta jack its probably for a flat. I would just carry some sturdy wood blocks if the factory jack is no longer long enough, or is that even the problem?

I always laugh at SUV's with roof baskets with shovels, jerry cans, and hi-lifts that you can't use to jack your xterra, grand vitara or fjcruiser anyways !

the wheel lift would work just fine and is designed for vehicles with no jack points, the idea is to get you up out of the hole and you can fill the whole under the tire to get traction or to lift the wheel up and block under the axle and set it back down to change the tire, you shouldnt use a highlift on its own to change a tire anyways as it has a tendancy to be unstable and rock side to side.

[Firesong]

I could use it on mine. Just on the hitch.
The way mine comes out just the same as the rear bumper (square tubing going
across the back) I don't think I would hesitate in a pinch to use it on the front
bush bar either. Im not as picky about the black bed liner I covered my bars with
though. And only in the center, not the sides (for those who have the side bars
coming out to extend to the lights).

FS

[jessef]

I had one of the blue farm hi-lifts with a date stamp of 1984 and a rating of 2.5T. It's been used on actual farm tractor prior to my using it. Never let me down.

[thedjjack]

Please just be careful:

Hilifts are great for taking out teeth and noses.....

They are a great tool if used properly.....

[pajerry]

Hey rez my point was more about being realistic about the conditions that you will be putting your manivan through and how the fact that carrying the weight, money spent buying, mounting it, drag/mpg's and maintaining it is not worth it for 95% of tourers. Especially if you're only on a trail a few days year on a vehicle that can only use it in one way. It takes a lot extra gear to use it safely as either a jack, winch, 'jaws of life' etc. when you need it most. You pointed out the main reasons why it just doesn't work.

In my opinion, if you're adventurous, a 45 dollar come along can drag your stuck ass around easier than a hi-lift without the weight, as many mounting/safety hassles. If you gotta change your flat, wait for more flat ground and block the crap out of a decent bottle jack. Orr yeah, carry the mighty hilift, remove plastic bumper ends, hope for good reach of frame rail, hope frame rail doesn't bend. etc etc.. or as some have suggested on the bambi bars which will ruin them and probably body work and parts, or the tow-bar which is hardly balanced or useful and IMO quite heavy for the jack.. just saying :)

Sorry for the side discussion Nick but you asked. I say spend the same cash on a decent compressor setup or hot water on demand to stay fresh for the ms. and drive miss daisy

[jessef]

or get an x-jack

[nxski]

I think I've found my answer...no lift!

How is an x-jack better than a bottle jack?

[jessef]

no contest

http://www.bushranger.com.au/xjack.php#.T4S3S8VmJyI

[nxski]

It looks easier but could it not damage certain components since its not on a jacking point? I think the idea of blocks and a bottle jack would do fine in this instance.

Pajerry, I think it's funny that you used drag and mpg's as a deterant. From that statement I would have thought you'd never seen my van.

[jessef]

a bottle jack won't save you in the 2nd pic (sand/mud/soft ground) plus don't they only extend to 12-14 inches?

an x-jack can be used alone or in conjunction with another lifting/blocking aid on the trail. A bottle jack on the trail is almost useless unless the ground is solid/level underneath the axles. You can use wooden blocks but how many you use/carry on board can be a pain.