Hi-Lift Jack Alternatives | Harry Situations
Published at : August 06, 2021
Last month we talked about Hi-Lift jacks, how to use them, and what we like/don't like about them. This month we're talking about some other jacks we've used on the trail. The first thing that you will notice is that these are not shiny tools that just showed up on the front porch, they have all been used for years, allowing opinions to be formed based on real world testing. If you are running Nitto tires the odds are that you will never need to use one of these jacks in order to change a flat tire. A jack is still a handy tool though for fixing broken components under your vehicle or helping to get you unstuck.
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - ARB Jack
04:32 - Bottle Jack
08:00 - Floor Jack
10:05 - Scissor Jack
11:36 - Exhaust Jack
Pro Eagle’s Kratos weighs 60 pounds (more than double a Hi-Lift or ARB JACK) and is bulky, but they offer vehicle mounts and we see people who run with them on the trail. We typically use ours for pit stops in desert and Ultra4 racing, but more than anything the Kratos has become our go-to when we need to perform a trail rescue mission. The big wheels roll over just about any terrain and the skidplate keeps it from sinking in sand and other soft terrain.
Cost- $470
Pros- Easily rolls over all terrain, huge range of lifting height
Cons- Heavy
ARB’s JACK (yes, it is called JACK) has a range of motion similar to a Hi-Lift, but is hydraulic instead of mechanical. It is easy to use, safe and stable, and can lift incredibly high. Lifting capacity is comparable between the two at 4,409 pounds for the ARB JACK and 4,660 for a Hi-Lift, but the ARB JACK can actually lift higher than the typical 48-inch Hi-Lift. It also costs more, a lot more, and like the Hi-Lift the ARB JACK requires steel bumpers or rock sliders to use unless you add an accessory like a Lift Mate, and that attaches to the wheel and prevents you from changing a tire.
Cost- $830
Pros- Super stable, large range of mtion
Cons- Cost, no off-the-shelf mounting options
If you need to lift the vehicle to change a tire, a Hydraulic Bottle Jack is a great option, which is why many manufacturers include them with vehicles. They are inexpensive and compact, making them easy to store, but if your vehicle is lifted a bottle jack might need some boards under it to be tall enough to lift a tire off the ground. Safe Jack makes kits with extensions and different brackets, but you can spend up to $300 on a bottle jack kit from them. At the other end of the spectrum for price and quality, you can pick up a bottle jack from Harbor Freight for $40.
Cost- $40
Pros- Lightweight, compact, inexpensive
Cons- Limited range of motion, can slip off of axle housing if not careful
The beauty of a Scissor Jack is that it doesn’t require hydraulic fluid to operate, they are inexpensive, and take up minimal space. You can even weld a larger base onto your scissor jack so it doesn’t sink in the sand and add a lug nut that matches your wheels to allow you to use an electric impact gun. A scissor jack is typically only tall enough to lift from the axle for most off-road vehicles though, not from the frame.
Cost- $50
Pros- No hydraulic fluid, compact, light, inexpensive
Cons- Requires custom fabrication to be optimized
If you spend a lot of time in the sand dunes or silt beds, ARB’s Bushranger X-Jack may be a good choice for you. The soft bladder packs flat and doesn’t take up much space, or require much room to fit it under your stuck vehicle. The X-Jack uses exhaust gas to fill the bladder and lift your vehicle, so make certain it is compatible with your exhaust before you find yourself stuck. The X-Jack is best used in conjunction with traction boards in our experience, you can’t just drive off of it like you can with a Hi-Lift.
Cost- $240
Pros- Lightweight, low profile, no moving parts
Cons- Must mate to exhaust, vehicle must be running, can be punctured
Just like the rest of your tools, there isn't necessarily a one size fits all answer when it comes to jacks. Armed with the firsthand experience we shared in this vehicle you are certain to find a solution that works for you. Just consider your specific needs, space, and budget before spending your money. Comment below and let us know which jack you use, and don't forget to like and subscribe to the Driving Line Youtube channel.
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrivingLine
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/
More Articles: https://www.drivingline.com/
Want to know the different features of the Nitto tires we used?
https://www.nittotire.com/light-truck-tires/trail-grappler-mud-terrain-light-truck-tire/
More backcountry content from All-Terrain Family:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlgSaVBYozZ7X1GqzIiNDg
Follow Harry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrysituations/
Follow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allterrainfamily/
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - ARB Jack
04:32 - Bottle Jack
08:00 - Floor Jack
10:05 - Scissor Jack
11:36 - Exhaust Jack
Pro Eagle’s Kratos weighs 60 pounds (more than double a Hi-Lift or ARB JACK) and is bulky, but they offer vehicle mounts and we see people who run with them on the trail. We typically use ours for pit stops in desert and Ultra4 racing, but more than anything the Kratos has become our go-to when we need to perform a trail rescue mission. The big wheels roll over just about any terrain and the skidplate keeps it from sinking in sand and other soft terrain.
Cost- $470
Pros- Easily rolls over all terrain, huge range of lifting height
Cons- Heavy
ARB’s JACK (yes, it is called JACK) has a range of motion similar to a Hi-Lift, but is hydraulic instead of mechanical. It is easy to use, safe and stable, and can lift incredibly high. Lifting capacity is comparable between the two at 4,409 pounds for the ARB JACK and 4,660 for a Hi-Lift, but the ARB JACK can actually lift higher than the typical 48-inch Hi-Lift. It also costs more, a lot more, and like the Hi-Lift the ARB JACK requires steel bumpers or rock sliders to use unless you add an accessory like a Lift Mate, and that attaches to the wheel and prevents you from changing a tire.
Cost- $830
Pros- Super stable, large range of mtion
Cons- Cost, no off-the-shelf mounting options
If you need to lift the vehicle to change a tire, a Hydraulic Bottle Jack is a great option, which is why many manufacturers include them with vehicles. They are inexpensive and compact, making them easy to store, but if your vehicle is lifted a bottle jack might need some boards under it to be tall enough to lift a tire off the ground. Safe Jack makes kits with extensions and different brackets, but you can spend up to $300 on a bottle jack kit from them. At the other end of the spectrum for price and quality, you can pick up a bottle jack from Harbor Freight for $40.
Cost- $40
Pros- Lightweight, compact, inexpensive
Cons- Limited range of motion, can slip off of axle housing if not careful
The beauty of a Scissor Jack is that it doesn’t require hydraulic fluid to operate, they are inexpensive, and take up minimal space. You can even weld a larger base onto your scissor jack so it doesn’t sink in the sand and add a lug nut that matches your wheels to allow you to use an electric impact gun. A scissor jack is typically only tall enough to lift from the axle for most off-road vehicles though, not from the frame.
Cost- $50
Pros- No hydraulic fluid, compact, light, inexpensive
Cons- Requires custom fabrication to be optimized
If you spend a lot of time in the sand dunes or silt beds, ARB’s Bushranger X-Jack may be a good choice for you. The soft bladder packs flat and doesn’t take up much space, or require much room to fit it under your stuck vehicle. The X-Jack uses exhaust gas to fill the bladder and lift your vehicle, so make certain it is compatible with your exhaust before you find yourself stuck. The X-Jack is best used in conjunction with traction boards in our experience, you can’t just drive off of it like you can with a Hi-Lift.
Cost- $240
Pros- Lightweight, low profile, no moving parts
Cons- Must mate to exhaust, vehicle must be running, can be punctured
Just like the rest of your tools, there isn't necessarily a one size fits all answer when it comes to jacks. Armed with the firsthand experience we shared in this vehicle you are certain to find a solution that works for you. Just consider your specific needs, space, and budget before spending your money. Comment below and let us know which jack you use, and don't forget to like and subscribe to the Driving Line Youtube channel.
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrivingLine
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/
More Articles: https://www.drivingline.com/
Want to know the different features of the Nitto tires we used?
https://www.nittotire.com/light-truck-tires/trail-grappler-mud-terrain-light-truck-tire/
More backcountry content from All-Terrain Family:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlgSaVBYozZ7X1GqzIiNDg
Follow Harry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrysituations/
Follow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allterrainfamily/
arb jackarb x-jack vs jackbest off road floor jack