Considering jacks for recovery - thoughts on screw-based jacks?

[strawhatguy]

I've only got the OEM scissor jack, which seems to be enough for tire rotations, but was looking at upgrading it. A farm jack has cool-cred but is dangerous, bulky, and I don't really have a bumper or sliders with jack points for it. The Safe Jack "General" kit seems to cover about everything, but is somewhat expensive (I know "buy once, cry once", I still may go with it).
I recently came across a screw jack, like this one: https://a.co/d/2oQP0cB

which, without the worry about hydraulics, won't ever spring a leak, but otherwise seems equivalent to a bottle jack. That seems a good idea to me. However, I only seen 2-ton ones like the above. So are these mechanical screw-type jacks a good idea? And if they are a good idea, anyone know of at least 3-ton one?

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[Valhalla]

Had a 1983 ranger with one years ago, it was a PITA, no more than stock would be though. I just scrapped the same from my 1996 bronco... nowhere tall enough for 40's

 

[zuke]

Still commonly used by some OEM's , Jeep TJ's had em, and quite a few Toyota's.

I try to keep one in at least one vehicle in any wheeling group vs a hydraulic bottle jack, because of the common leak issues with keeping a bottle jack standing up.

For Wranglers and other solid axle rigs, they're good on the trail because lift reach only needs to be half the tire diameter, but for IFS vehicles like the Bronco, it would be difficult to get enough lift in the front with one, as you have to go to the frame.

I'd sure as heck never pay $70 bucks for one though! Go by any pick a part type junkyard, most of them sell factory jacks at about $5 each, and screw jacks are plentiful.

Don't let yourself get too hung up on that 2 ton rating, You're usually only picking up one fourth (One Corner) of the vehicle with this type of jack, so 4000lbs is enough for even the fattest of Broncos...

 

[strawhatguy]

Still commonly used by some OEM's , Jeep TJ's had em, and quite a few Toyota's.

I try to keep one in at least one vehicle in any wheeling group vs a hydraulic bottle jack, because of the common leak issues with keeping a bottle jack standing up.

For Wranglers and other solid axle rigs, they're good on the trail because lift reach only needs to be half the tire diameter, but for IFS vehicles like the Bronco, it would be difficult to get enough lift in the front with one, as you have to go to the frame.

I'd sure as heck never pay $70 bucks for one though! Go by any pick a part type junkyard, most of them sell factory jacks at about $5 each, and screw jacks are plentiful.

Don't let yourself get too hung up on that 2 ton rating, You're usually only picking up one fourth (One Corner) of the vehicle with this type of jack, so 4000lbs is enough for even the fattest of Broncos...

Good idea about checking out a junkyard.

 

[Pops]

Had a '71 Volvo with a screw jack -- it was smooth and great! Not enough lift height for a Bronco, of course, but I liked it for the car.

Now I'm going to have to comb some junkyards for one....

 

[NC_Oak]

I have some blocks of wood I throw in the back when wheeling. two are cut on a bias that I can use as wheel chocks. I use them for cribbing so extra height is easy to gain when using the OEM scissor jack. they are used to even things out on the trail if needed. blah blah. Cheap to have and quite a few uses. I drive up on them for oil changes.

You get my point

 

[Hummell]

For Wranglers and other solid axle rigs, they're good on the trail because lift reach only needs to be half the tire diameter, but for IFS vehicles like the Bronco, it would be difficult to get enough lift in the front with one, as you have to go to the frame…

In the front? I use the LCA.

 

[Smocaine]

It may be easier, if not cheaper, to find a suitable jack as a takeoff from a used car. F150s have come with a little screw-bottle style jack for a long time - you can also get hydraulic bottle jacks fron Transits and F250s, or an even bigger hydro on F350+ models with dual rear wheels.

 

[Brian_B]

In the front? I use the LCA.

I think he's talking about using a hi-lift. Not sure how you would hook one of those on the LCA. I've never had to use my hi lift on my Bronco out on the trail - but mocking it up in my driveway, I was able to get enough lift (barely) using the recovery points on the bumper. Mostly it gets used to dig my tractor out of the mud, jimmy a door frame that has settled, or jack big logs off the road.

When using a hydraulic or bottle jack - yeah, I often use the LCA as well, although you aren't supposed to.

 

[Valhalla]

I think he's talking about using a hi-lift. Not sure how you would hook one of those on the LCA. I've never had to use my hi lift on my Bronco out on the trail - but mocking it up in my driveway, I was able to get enough lift (barely) using the recovery points on the bumper. Mostly it gets used to dig my tractor out of the mud, jimmy a door frame that has settled, or jack big logs off the road.

When using a hydraulic or bottle jack - yeah, I often use the LCA as well, although you aren't supposed to.

I use rocks on the LCA, even though you're not supposed to.

 

[zuke]

I have used the bottom of the strut where it comes through the lca, don't really like doing that, but I'm a pinch..

 

[Hummell]

I have used the button of the strut where it comes through the lca, don't really like doing that, but I'm a pinch..

Dude it’s totally fine to do that. It’s not gonna hurt the car.

 

[CalvinT]

I like screw jacks. Very little to go wrong with them. I've been thinking about "what if I can't get under my Bronco." For example up to your axles/frame in sand or snow. I'm seriously considering a Hi-Lift with their Lift-Mate. Then I can deal with each wheel individually. And I don't have to get under my Bronco.

Before someone decides to warn me about the dangers of a Hi-Lift. When I learned to drive all cars came with cheap version of a Hi-Lift. It was called a bumper jack. You haven't lived until you've jacked up the rear of a car with leaf springs to change a tire. It's amazing how much wheel travel a leaf spring allows.

 

[Brian_B]

Dude it’s totally fine to do that. It’s not gonna hurt the car.

Not so much about hurting the car as it’s not exactly a level or stable jacking point, and it’s gonna twist/rotate some as you compress the spring up

Sure it will hold the weight, but non-zero chance to kick the jack out while it’s going up - especially if it’s a narrow lift plate like a bottle jack

 

[zuke]

Dude it’s totally fine to do that. It’s not gonna hurt the car.

Not worried about the strength, I don't like being that close to the tire, and the non flat surface that tries to move away from the jack as it goes up..

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