bad_idea

Will the Hi-Lift Lift-Mate (LM-100) work with the Cragar Soft 8s? Anyone with experience out there? Any experience with the Lift-Mate in general?

I've got a 90 with 5" of lift sitting on 33x12.5x15s mounted on 15x8 Cragar Soft 8s.

SteveMongr

The lift-mate worked on my 10-hole gambler jeep wheels. Should work on the soft8. I can measure the hook width if you like.
The lift is great because of not having to droop all the suspension travel when lifting from chassis. However if the wheel in question is deep in mud or muck, it can be difficult or impossible to set up the jack next to tire.
If used to change a tire, will still need a jack or stand of some type to set axle on.

bad_idea

Please do measure the hooks for me if you get a chance. You are probably the best person to ask my next question Steve. I am new to wheeling and plan to go down to the Outer Banks and wander around in the sand. I have read on the board you do a lot of wheeling down there. How useful is the Lift-Mate in recovery when stuck in the sand? I envision jacking up the tire, and sticking a board under it.

SteveMongr

I have the same thing in mind regarding the liftmate. But instead of a board, just fill hole with sand. The key is to just get vehicle out of hole on level ground. With tires at 18 psi you will be able to crawl through deep sand easily.

Would help to monitor transmission temperature if driving many miles in deep sand. If engine becomes too hot, drive in 4-Low.
The key to efficiently driving in sand is proper air pressure. The softer and deeper the sand, the softer the tires need to be.
Start with 18 psi and you will be able to crawl across and through deep sand ruts and up inclines.

Know the tides, Do Not drive near waters edge when tide is incoming, only on an outgoing tide.
People get stuck due to a combination of two reasons, too much air in tires, and spinning tires. When you spin a tire, the jeep sinks into sand.
Liftmate hook dimension, 1" wide, 1/2" thick.

bad_idea

Thanks for the speedy reply. Before I get to involved, I plan to install an external trans cooler and temperature gauge. Where's the best (no permit preferably) spot to wheel this fall?

SteveMongr

Currituck, North of Carolla the pavement ends and there is 12 miles of free and open beach. To the towns of Swan Beach and Carova beach. Also many miles of wooded primitive roads. False Cape State park just behind the VA/NC boarder. The following link is a thread with lots of info and pictures. Start on the linked page and go backwards. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f42/ti...6/#post3236436

thatXJguy

The lift mate worked with my Cragar V-5 wheels, so should also work with your Soft 8 wheels.

Fred/N0AZZ

Yes it fits my Soft Eights just fine along with large base for the Hi-Lift on soft ground.

bad_idea

Rather than spend the money for the off road base, I plan to pack a 1' long piece of 2x12. I have the 2x12 in the shed, should do the same thing. Thanks for the help on the Lift-Mate, will have to pick one up before I go out wheeling. Next question, do I pack a jack stand or wood blocking in the event I need to change a tire? Jeep has no sliders (yet) and stock bumpers (currently), so I have no way to jack it up by the chassis.

SteveMongr

Air down to 18 psi and you will not have to worry about getting stuck..

The best extrication tool for the beach is a full length shovel. If you get bogged down, dig out in front of all four tires creating a gradual ramp to drive out.

The stock jack under rear seat will lift and/or support your rig by the axle even with 33" tires. The jack extends to around 16".

I considered a 2x12 footing also but in my experience using a high-lift, the footing should should have some method of holding base of jack in place. Sand will make the 2x12 slippery. Would work fine in the garage or yard and with the jack vertical, but in a real situation using those jacks are sketchy and always dangerous. Know how to use the hi-lift safely, they are known to break peoples faces when the lever to lower is triggered, with handle in down position.

bad_idea

You say I won't have to worry about getting stuck, but I will. I'll bring the wife to show her how great the Jeep is and how its great to take the family on trips into the wilderness. The Jeep will flip me the bird and make the day a nightmare of stuck-ness and maybe a mechanical failure thrown in to truly seal the deal. Same thing happened when I tried to get the wife into Drag racing with me. Took the Camaro out and twisted the driveshaft into 3 pieces. That made for a long night. Long story short, I want to over prepare with hopes the day goes well.

Thanks for the heads up on the 2x12, will have to rethink that. $40 aint worth a jack bashing me in the face.

Fred/N0AZZ

Several yrs back I bought a Hi-Lift assortment of their items from Morris 4x4 during a promo that included all of the items in a bag for under a $100. Over the yrs have used all of them on my XJ or others 4x4's on the trail.

As Steve stated the base of the jack will slide off of a board unless on solid ground.

thatXJguy

+1, that's how it always works lol