Question Hi-Lift Jack Set Up & Usage

[T23]

I have a 2001 Tundra Access Cab.

Buying a Hi-Lift Jack.

1) What size do I need?
2) What accessories do I NEED?
3) What accessories are nice to have?
4) Where are the best "usage" points on the truck?


Thanks!

[rambrush]

I would suggest the tallest one, cast iron. Mine is around 29 years old and still going strong. (Hard for me to believe I have been wheeling that many years).
Then a good base for it. they now make accessories that you can hook onto curved bumpers plus jacking up on your wheels which is a nice feature. my other trucks I welded channel iron on each corner under the bumpers that the jack would fit into. this prevented the jack from doing the famous slip out. But with those in place I could and did jack the rig up and push it over onto terra ferma instead of muck.

some will say that you don't need one and it takes up valuable space. but its good to know you have a versatle tool when you need it. Last year my pole barn in Montana could not handle the snow load and broke the end supports. had to drill a hole in the beam bolted the hi lift to it and then jacked the puppy up enough to slide in a new post. raising a log off the ground to prevent my saw from cutting dirt. so yes it has many other uses.

[T23]

I saw a 60" one at AIH (local store) the other day. I guess that is the tallest I can find. I'll go for that and scour the net for deals on the various accesories. In Alaska the importance of being self reliant and able to get your own self "out" is emphasized all the more!

[Herbicidal]

I would recommend Hi-Lift's off-road kit (Hi-Lift Accessories). It's pretty darn complete. I have the off-road base. If you get that, drill two holes and add a loop of rope through it. It's easier to get it out of the muck if you bury it.

Additional items (see link above):
Handle keeper to keep the handle from banging all over the place.
Mounting brackets. Either the 'tube mount' or 4xRAC. Depends upon how you mount it. Mines in my bed over the passenger side wheel well (pic in my album).
Lift-mate and/or bumper lift.

Useage:
Kick the base in towards the vehicle a little bit. As the jack raises the vehicle, it will straighten up.
Never wrap your thump around the main vertical bar as the handle could smack it.
Never get your face in the way of the handle. Same as above.
Chock and block your wheels before lifting.
Never work under your vehicle with just the Hi-lift supporting it.
I suppose there are hundreds of other 'never's'.
Do - use common sense.
Do - practice using it.
Do - use WD-40 to lube the working parts. Check monthly.
Don't use white lithium grease as it attacks dirt, sand, etc.
Do - respect the tool.
Be safe!