Hi-Lift on front tow hook?

[T-Bagg]

So, off-road a regular jack just doesn't cut it. I've got a Hi-Lift and want to know if the front tow hooks would be strong enough to jack up one of the front wheels. To either change wheels or place a traction board under it.

I'm thinking one of my 5K lbs cargo straps around a hook and up to the Hi-Lift would work.

Or, where would you guys suggest lifting with.

 

[TeaDubya2011]

i never understood a hi lift..is it just a taller jack for bigger trucks?

 

[99Yuk]

Long Answer:
Don't use the rear bumper.
My 91 K5 while in transition from an on the road vehicle to a bush buggy, got stuck one day.



Notice the nice straight bumper?
I tried to get it out myself, didn't work. I used my hi-jack and bent the crap out of the bumper. Eventually had to call in the CDN Military to pull me out. (I was on base. Turns out that I was also in a no-go zone.)

Now look at my bumper.

Short Answer:
Don't use your bumper.
I would try to use the front tow hooks. In thoery if they are strong enough and bolted to the frame for towing, then they should be ok for lifting as well.




Also, from personal experience, get your self the 6' lift, not the cheaper 4'. When stuck in mud, without a good base for the jack, the four feet go down all the way and doesn't provide enough room to provide lift. Essentially, you run out of jack. When my 4' got pinched, I wasn't crying. It provided an oppurtunity to go buy a 6'.

---------- Post added at 07:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 PM ----------

i never understood a hi lift..is it just a taller jack for bigger trucks?

Wow, I suddenly feel old. I can remember these being standard tire jacks in pickups. Now the young guys donèt know what they are. Oh well, my wife has never heard of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy either.

Here's a random google image showing what a hi-jack is. They come in different lengths and fit nicely in a Jeep rack on top, or on any other roof basket. They are standard equipment for off-roaders (or a winch ).

 

[T-Bagg]

What about the hook designed for steel bumpers? If I use that and put it closer to where the bumper mounts to the frame it should be alright, right?

If not I've used the Hi-Lift on my hitch befor.

Ya know what a bent bumper means though? Means you can go out and buy a gnarlier bumper. If it broke it was obviously time to upgrade it. Least that's the way I fly.

 

[99Yuk]

I think that your talking about one of these right?
(random google pic)

Honestly, I wouldn't try it, unless you were in the market for a gnarly new bumper. I just don't trust the bumper to not crumple and fold. The Hitch should be fine, just use that hook on the hitch somewhere.

As for my Blazer, because it's a bush buggy now, it no longer has a rear bumper...or fenders, or a roof, or hood, or doors, or the box, or passenger seat. It's just front clip, motor, chassis, and a DIY box to haul firewood out of the bush.

EDIT: OT My blazer was relegated to bush buggy long before I bought my Yukon. You know it just occured to me after looking at these pics, that I could use those rims on my Yukon. I'm gonna try it in the next few days. It also just occured to me that I have 4 running 350's lying around from various vintages. Hmmmm

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

they also have those tire straps for the highlifts, just another idea if you need to put something under the tire, won't help much for changing it.

i've had the Hi-Lift 6' ultimate jack or whatever they call it (works as a winch, has 2 jack points on it, god knows what else) in the garage for a couple years now. atleast now i can use it on the front bumper. hitch is a good idea, hadn't thought about that. i would NOT use it on these steel bumpers.

 

[99Yuk]

they also have those tire straps for the highlifts, just another idea if you need to put something under the tire, won't help much for changing it.

i've had the Hi-Lift 6' ultimate jack or whatever they call it (works as a winch, has 2 jack points on it, god knows what else) in the garage for a couple years now. atleast now i can use it on the front bumper. hitch is a good idea, hadn't thought about that. i would NOT use it on these steel bumpers.

Yes, you have the gnarly bumper that we would all like.
/wiping drool from face.


Using the hitch is a very good idea. The lesson that I learned? It's not enough to pack the hi-jack on trips, bring some straps for it along too. I wish that I had thought to pack a strap for the hi-jack years ago. Then I wouldn't have destroyed the bumper.

 

[T-Bagg]

By the way, my super awesome Hi-Lift mounts. At least, super awesome in my opinion.

Looks almost pro, right?

Hood pins that my buddy had lying around his garage. You can get them at O'Reilly's or AutoZone.

Drilled through the roof rack and stuck the hood pins through. The springs to keep it from rattling around are from Home Depot.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

thats awesome! good idea!

 

[99Yuk]

Those are super awesome! Good thinking. The springs are a nice touch. I just solid bolted mine to the basket. The hood pins and springs are pro.