After getting a flat on the trail I realized that the factory jack is a piece of The guys who helped me were some jeepers and they just yanked out a hi lift and the tire was fixed shortly. I have a stock 4x4 Ranger and my rear right was the tire that was flat. They just put it under my hitch on the right side and up went the truck and on went the spare. Now if I were to get a front flat I'd need a place to put the jack under. I was thinking about the tow hooks? I've been lucky enough and haven't had to use the front hooks yet so I don't know how strong they are. Has anybody had any experience jacking up the front using a tow hook? Lets say the front left was flat just hook the jack under the front left tow hook and bam we're in the air. If it's strong enough I would purchase the bumper lift accessory because it looks like it would hold onto the tow hook well. Tell me what you think. Am I crazy for even thinking that the tow hook could be used as a lifting point? Maybe there is an accessory that would work better for the newer plastic trucks like mine that I don't know about? Here is a useful link that has helped explain to me a little about the accessories and just learning about the jack itself, I can even use this thing as a winch if needed. Also if you have any ideas on where to store this beast while driving around. I'd like to try and not drill any holes if that is possible. Thanks
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/hilift/
and also http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/hilift_jack.htm



here you can see how my rear hitch looks


old picture but you can see the black shackle/hook thing

 

I've used the jack under my tow hooks in the front, under the bumper (valance removed, and near the mounting point), and in my receiver hitch (lifting the entire rear of the truck.

I've also used mine for winching (prior to buying a real winch, lol), and so forth. If you're going offroading you need one. I think that bumper lift thing is good, but with the front valance on it's not all that useful up front.

I can lift my truck by my rocksliders also, but the stock step bars some folks have would not be a good lift point for sure.

 

well here is a link to it cheaper priced oneHI-LIFT , now for mounting, i dont know where you could mount it WITHOUT drilling any holes..

 

I think that I'm going to purchase the hi-lift jack. I can fix any flat I happen to have front or rear and it can act as a winch.

1. What size do you guys recommend? I was thinking the 48" overkill?

2. What is better cast/steel or just cast?

3. Has anybody actually used the tow hooks on our trucks as a lifting point using the hi-lift?

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/Hi-Lift%20Jack.htm

 

i have 42" cast and it does the job(the black one)

 

I think they are 48" and 64" in general (the genuine Hi Lift ones) and I have the 48" but some really lifted guys say the bigger one is needed for some circumstances, especially breaking mud suction. Even with a a base under it it can sink down quite ab it before it lifts. I'm not saying you need the really big one, just reporting popular wisdom on it.

I just have the 48" one. I don't need it a lot, but when it's needed it's a winner.

 

I've used the high-lift under the front tow hooks on many occasions and it works fine. I also have the jack with the stamped base which is cheaper but works just as well as the all cast jack in most situations. The cast base is better for offroad use when the bar isn't at 90* to the base and the cast clamp (at the end of the bar) is better when using the jack as a winch.

Whatever you do, make sure that you do your best to keep the jack clean and well maintained. I need a fix-it-kit for mine because it was mounted in the bed exposed to theelements without lubrication. Had I sprayed some lithium grease on it once in a while, it wouldn't need new pins and springs.