Jacking Off Road - Best Practices

[cbrenthus]

Here are some pro tips:

1. While possible alone, it's best to have a partner, or a group
2. Pump your hand rhythmically, and it's a good idea to switch hands periodically
3. Make sure everything is lubed, don't want to grind things to a halt
4. While it might seem like a long shot, be sure to where eye protection just in case
5. Once you get it up, try not to let it back down until your finished

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[Brian_B]

I've used the scissor jack - works fine for just changing tires or for getting a block/stand up underneath it. Wouldn't want to crawl under the thing to do any work with it though.

I carry a high jack when I'm going up the mountain, but normally I just leave the mount empty. When you need it, you need it - which for me has only been for other vehicles to date, but it's come in handy. I usually use it in conjunction with soft shackles.

Usually the hardest part is finding something firm/stable enough to base the jack on. Almost makes me think about recovery boards, but I don't want to be carrying those around if I don't have to, and I've had good luck finding random logs/rocks/etc so far.

 

[mpeugeot]

you and me both friend, you and me both...

Talk about coming full circle.

 

[BlueBronco]

Here are some pro tips:

1. While possible alone, it's best to have a partner, or a group
2. Pump your hand rhythmically, and it's a good idea to switch hands periodically
3. Make sure everything is lubed, don't want to grind things to a halt
4. While it might seem like a long shot, be sure to where eye protection just in case
5. Once you get it up, try not to let it back down until your finished

6. Make sure you have good cell reception or else you will need a good memory/highlight reel to help you complete the task
7. Have plenty of shop towels on hand to help you clean-up afterwards

 

[DriveAllNight]

Yea, I'm not gonna touch that title
But I always drove around with plastic blocks (trailer blocks) in my truck, makes life easier when the jack is that much higher and on something solid. I haven't thrown them in the Bronco yet for daily driving, I might when I get the storage thing sorted out. But if traveling or going off road, they're light, strong and easy ...

 

[MayhemMike]

Tinted windows, you must have tinted windows.

 

[604Bronco]

None of these replies are helpful best practises to the title at hand...

 

[mpeugeot]

I think that my question is, how do I know when I should hire a pro to do it for me?

 

[cbrenthus]

The jokes just keep coming and coming!

this thread is quite a lot to take in!

 

[Beach_Bum]

I have an OG Toyota screw bottle jack, it fits under the rear storage area along with wood blocks..

'

Piece of gold that you have there.

 

[UNBROKN]

Bottle jack. Compact, safe, and doesn't require any specific lift points to work.

I might add something to place under it for extra stability

Yea, I'm not gonna touch that title
But I always drove around with plastic blocks (trailer blocks) in my truck, makes life easier when the jack is that much higher and on something solid. I haven't thrown them in the Bronco yet for daily driving, I might when I get the storage thing sorted out. But if traveling or going off road, they're light, strong and easy ...

All good ideas here. I was gonna suggest a bottle jack and then get a small piece of thick plywood 12x12 (or a couple sizes) to use under any jack. You know it is inevitable that the repair will have to happen in a spot that the jack is gonna sink in and not be able to lift the truck. You need all the surface area you can get and they won't take up much space.

 

[WarthogJr]

This reminds me of a kid named Jack I went to high school with. his last name was Meoff.

 

[DriveAllNight]

None of these replies are helpful best practises to the title at hand...

Everyone knows 'best practices', chock the diagonal tire, level surface, jack from designated locations, loosen lugs before lifting, tighten lugs in a star pattern, don't put your head under the tire when lowering
Bla bla bla. Easy to look up on the Google machine.

I thought you were really asking what do people do to make life easer, safer, clever solutions , or products that are just better when lifting your car.

Or maybe you were really asking about preventing chaffing...

 

[cynicalrider]

Every time is see a Jeep with a heavy, awkward goofy high lift jack mounted on their hood. I just laugh and think you’ve obviously never use that garbage before they’re terrible.

meh they have their place, helped me in a bind tons of times over the years. The downside is they are difficult to store and require lube.

that being said though I’m exploring a new option for this truck:

 

[BRBUSTER72]

I’ve been thinking of storing a bottle jack where my factory one is now. Does anyone know what’s the largest harbor freight bottle jack that can fit in that space? And is it ok to store on its side?

Don't know about all bottle jacks but it has always been said to not store bottle jacks on their sides.

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