Hi-Lifts require some PM to keep them operating properly. Most people, myself included, keep them outside in the elements, so they will need to be oiled to maintain proper operation. If you know how to use them properly & safely, and how to take care of them, then they are a valuable trail asset to have. My local $ Wheel Parts Performance Center gave a class on Hi-Lift use, and it helped me understand the device much better. I have used mine several times, and that has made it worth while to me. They do serve a purpose in our lifestyle, and do quite a good job doing it, IMHO.

 

Ok ok, on a serious note.. heres what i carry with me no matter where i am going..

1:Tool box with everything, and if i dont have "THAT tool" i will next trip.. box weighs 130lbs..
2:4"x50' Recovery strap (rated at 50k lbs)
3: 8000lb Come along
4: Front Shackles, rear "Hook" in the reciever
5:Tire pump/Gauge
6: Fire extinguisher
7:two mag lights /un opened package of batterys
8:Spare tire
9:2ton Floorjack / block of wood
10: Milk crate with parts. I.E. Belts/hoses/all sensors/Idler pully/ALT/Headlight/Yokes
11: Milk crate with Fluids, axle&motor oil/tranny fluid/power steering/brake/gallon of water
12: fully loaded Nuts/bolts box with every bolt i have ever needed to replace.. including Ujoint straps
13:2 front axle shafts/2 rear axle shafts/2 driveshafts and extra U joints aswell as Hub assemblys
14:a cooler with Food/drinks for the day..
15: 1 gallon of extra fuel
16: Cobra CB radio peaked and tuned



That is what i carry every time the jeep leaves the garage.

soon i will be getting a winch, and a few items will be coming out..

 

ok theres two things that i havent seen listed here that are paramount to any adventure. Its already been said not to ride alone and that in itself would be good but what about the following

1- good first aid kit
2- way to communicate with the world if something seriously went wrong, Hand held CB extra batteries for the cell phone if God forbid something where to happen. In Ex. that high lift that has been discussued happens to knock out your teeth or a recovery cable/winch cable snaps and just about rips you in two pieces.

Been wheeling a long time, more then three quarters of my life. things happen. Legs break by just misstepping to check out a trail....

safety and response first. everything comes secondary.

 

I'm sorry I cant just let this go. I have read your replies to other posts and respect them.

But the Hi Lift is much more them a jack to change a tire. I have successfully used mine as a come a long and lifting a front end off rocks, to free it up. Never once have I lost grip of the handle and in fact make people around me keep clear.

The right tool for the job gets it done with a clear mind and focus on the task at hand, I would never go wheeling without my Hi Lift.

 

EDITED MY LIST.. lol and everyone carrys a Cell phone.. but where i wheel, A: im never alone, B: Cell phones dont have reception for 30-50 miles

 

You are right, they can be used for a lot of things. I think we can agree to disagree. I just use other things that I consider safer.

 

I cannot imagine not having a Hi-Lift jack in the vehicle.
I have used mine a bizzillion times.
Yes they are dangerous, so is a come-along, so is using a ****** strap, so is a winch... vehicle recovery in itself is dangerous.

 

here's what i carry:

recovery

axe, shovel, tire repair kit, tire gauge, winch cable safe fall, safety glasses, bow saw, spare gas, gloves, hook cluster, flash light, 8 shackles, winch/remote, hi-lift jack, 2 ****** blocks, chain saw, 3 tree straps, 5 recovery straps

off road kit

4L jug motor oil, oil filter, lockout tools, serpentine belt with pic of routing, water, bug repellent, knife, spare jeep keys, full first aid kit, ratchet straps (usually many more), rags, lug nuts, tape measure, infrared temperature gun, street nav GPS, trail GPS, binoculars, glass break tool with seatbelt blade, cellphone with charger, 2 axle u-joints, 2 DS u-joints, brake cleaner, brake fluid, gear oil, wd 40, duct tape, hat, gloves, fire extinguisher

not listed

electrical tape, mechanics wire, bic lighter, garbage bags

probably more i forgot as i have to restock my gear

 

6.5" rough country lift, 35" super swamper tsl boggers, dana 44 axles, new tranny, new t-case, completely rebuilt motor... and 4x4 low
That's about all I need

 

To start:
First aid kit
Safety/ work gear
At least one recovery point front and rear
Tow straps rated BEYOND the weight of your rig
Full size spare (whether you wheel it or not)
Plywood base for the bottom of your oem jack
Someone back home who knows where your going, for how long, and what time you'll be back

For when you get more serious also add:
Fluids for all items that may require it
Replacements for commonly broken items
Aftermarket jack (Hi-Lift)
Some means of pulling yourself unstuck other than a second vehicle (winch, Hi-Lift, come-a-long etc.)
CB radio because we all reach the point where our cell phones loose reception
A tool box stocked with enough tools to dismantle your Xj far further than you ever plan to
Jerry cans (i'd say 2, 5 gallon ones so you have about a half tank)
And any other accessories you see fit for the area's you frequent

 

i carry a bunch of stuff but last time i was really glad i had my OBDII

 

cell phones may not have good reception which is why I suggested the CB or alternate comm. My cell doubles as my back up gps. I have a micro sd chip ang gps software on it which I load relevant coordinates for things like water crossings and Points of intrest on it along with a record of my track. other uses like the repair manual in pdf form are stored on there too as well as first aid pdf. basic first aid is ok but Ive seen some nasty stuff happen and I just like to be prepped. it sure beats taking the laptop on the trail and fits right in the glove box.

I know you said you dont wheel alone but one other thing I take is a flare gun kit with me. I tend to wheel alone from time to time and if for some idiotic reason I cant walk out and communcate to the outside the flare will provide something that will get attention.

The simple things make all the difference .. Preperation is the key and unforseen obsticles is the enemy.

your gear looks good and doin an awsome job of putting a great package together...

 

around here, it's pretty standard all wheeling rigs have a 40 channel cb properly tuned, however it won't do any good if you wheel alone.
that brings up the first rule of wheeling, "never wheel alone".

also, a flare won't be seen by anyone, and if it does, it seems no one will respond these days.

i usually go out with a minimum of 3 rigs and a maximum of absolutely no more than 10 total. however, that's more for our guided runs, but i personally like having a group of 5 max. that way, if there's trouble, one or two can head out for help.

a side note for having multiple recovery straps is all straps need some time to settle. when you tug hard, the fibers will stretch quickly and takes some time to shrink back to original length. if you tug on it while it's still stretched, it will damage the strap and make it weaker for the next time.

also, if it's full of mud and dirt, and you tug with it again, all those little stones and pebbles act like sandpaper, and again, will damage the strap.

if your straps are dirty or muddy, try not to use them and when you get home, hose them off with a garden hose, not a pressure washer, then put them in a pillow case and toss them in the washer. then just hang them out to dry.
and inspect your straps, if they're damaged, have torn fibers or cut from body panels, rocks, etc. replace them. never use a damaged strap. it could be as dangerous as using a hook.

 

Since I don't do any extreme wheelin, I take what's needed. I've got some basic tools, a shovel, gloves, spare tire, first aid kit, tow straps, recovery points front and back, and some basic fluid. I'm going to buy a come-a-long soon I hope.

 

It is worth noting, that depending on where you wheel, your kit will vary.
Chainsaw's and tree straps are useless in central Az.
A pull pal would never ever sink into the caliche and rock.
Highlifts and water are invaluable.
I cannot help but tote a shovel, yet have never ever needed it.
Being stuck around here (heavy rock, off camber) almost never requires a snap strap(actually prefer to not use one), a tow strap, simple cable (dear god I dare say it) or chain would surfice 99% of the time.
Tire repair kit and at least one premium full sized spare are a must.
Cell phone is nearly a waste, CB the same, a satelite phone would be ideal, but, I cannot afford one, instead, I let wheeling buddies not tagging on this run know the exact route I will follow, and a cut off time (I call them when I get back into cell range) to saddle up a posse and come looking.