Product in question: https://lucky8llc.com/collections/de...tility-carrier

I'm fine with securing the traction boards and fuel on the roof rack, but the whole idea of having the heavy Hi-Lift Jack there scares the bejesus out of me - primarily because it'll be a pain to get it up and down, but also raising the CoG.

Hence considering this product. The other option is the rear door mount, but it looks more intrusive and less universal - I can imagine short expeditions where the jack would be overkill, but that mount would be ever present, and there's nothing else that I can do with it other than to put the jack on. Unless, can the rear door mount be used as a step to get onto the roof without risking snapping the original spare tire mount?

On the other hand, the door mount will likely withstand a lot of abuse, but when I even so much look at the spare tire carrier I hear the sound of it snapping off in my head. Did anyone here use it to hold the Hi-Lift Jack and can confirm that it does indeed work?

Am I missing any other Hi-Lift Jack mounts? Looks like there are not many options to begin with.

 

Where on the Defender are folks finding to get a purchase point with a Hi-Lift jack. This would be the last trail-jack option I'd choose for any vehicle. For the Defender I don't even see it as a candidate. I'm probably missing something.

 

I wouldn't worry about it, but ymmv. @sarek carries a BEAST of a off-road floor jack back there that's got to be heavier than the Hi-Lift. He's not known for being "gentle" with his Defender. I've seen him limp away from a trail to get a new drive shaft. If he hasn't ripped one off, I think it's got a larger weight limit than 30# (or whatever it weighs).

@GavinC - Looks? Used as a portable come-along/winch? I've seen some rig thing where you can put some attachment and it lifts the tire, but that might defeat the purpose if trying to change it! Also, I've thought about one because I run sliders that it could attach to. Maybe it's for sliders. I'm sure there's other use cases I might be missing.

 

I had hi-lifts mounted on both my D2 and D5 on the roof rack. They always worried me pulling them down. The D2 was easier than the D5 which when mounted on the side of the rack sat just a few inches above the roof.(Picture for reference on what I am avoiding on the mount) On our new 130 I am still planning on a rack but will use LKY8s rear mount this time with the ARB hydraulic jack that I purchased late last year. A bit lighter to move around over the hi-lift but you do loose some of the functionalities that it offers. Also, more expensive for the ARB over a hi-lift but I was able to get it through Summit using a coupon and military discount. I snapped a few pictures of the Octapus's mount at SCARR.

 

First of all, I just still have it from the Jeep times

Then, It's also a winch (with a kit), and it works if you need to lift a wheel and build a ramp under it, or get it out of the sand. Also, there's another use I haven't considered until now - video below.

Which jack would you use?

 

Couple thoughts. I know you are asking about Hi-Lift mounting points -- but -- I can’t figure out anywhere it’s of any use on L663. Really no points on my Defender (with Tuffant sliders) I could finagle where I could get a good grip to actually use a Hi-Lift Jack, other than MAYBE on the rear towing eye. Maybe. That seems sketch too. Or the wheel sling/lug nut thing in your linked video.

I have a winch on my truck, so I don’t need it as a winch.

Maybe for jacking off an obstacle ie rock -- if you’re stuck but again ... where to use it.

A word of caution: The last time I saw a tire change w/ a Hi-Lift jack, 2022, a tame Rover Club trail ride in Oregon, nice day, no inclement weather, bone dry. LR4 got a right front puncture. LR4 had tubular sliders, similar to most rock sliders. Guy used Hi-Lift, lifted it by the book on the slider just behind the RF wheel. Changed tire. Put new wheel/tire on. Jack was way high given uneven hillside terrain. The jack slipped at one point - kinked and kicked out, it dented the door and lucky no one was hurt - his hand was right there and he had quick reflexes.. This was a very experienced woodsman and recovery expert I have actually learned alot from and we all trust (actually he was the leader of the trail ride). I was standing a few feet away. I will never change a tire or lift a vehicle with one of these jacks. Or even work around one of them without giving the Hi-Lift a very wide berth.

So - For changing tires I have a bottle jack with long extensions that mate to the Tuffant sliders with an adaptor. This will get very high. (I don’t think it’s the perfect solution for every offroad instance -- and what Sarek uses is the best (trolley wheel jack) but his solution is too big for me to lug around. But the bottle jack and base did work to change 2 tires in the sand dunes once. ) Jack --> https://safejacks.com/products/safe-...th-bottle-jack I also got a baseplate for a solid base --> https://safejacks.com/products/universal-bottle-jack-base.

BTW: I have the same mental issue w/ the very nice ARB jack. It’s better for going “down” than the Hi-Lift, and thus safer - but it has the same issue: where to lift on an L663 without causing body damage? I don’t see it.

 

Yeah. As a come along winch I suppose it may have its merit for the L663. Given how heavy the vehicle is and the forces often needed in a winching scenario I'd not be willing to stand in the danger zone of a come-along winch situation. That would scare the bejeeesus out of me. Not something I'd sign up for.

A bottle jack with extensions is the way to go.

There will be videos showing how a Hi-Lift can be used in various scenarios. All fleetingly rare on a vehicle like the L663. I salute those who do it. It just wouldn't be something I'd see any worth in carrying about with me. A well placed bottle jack is just a much simpler task and setup. Less to go wrong. Less chances for me to lose a digit or three.

 

Agree 100% with @nashvegas.

bottle jack, off road jacking plate & extensions only for us. Best recovery kit for remote trips is a buddy😁

 

Looks like I have some sleeping on to do. On it.

 

The weight "limit" has been a myth spread by misinformation over social media. Many of us have disproved it already. I been pushing the boundaries carrying over 100lbs of extra weight over the oem wheel and tire set up for years now. Here's our tailgate rack we designed for it and we have a hilift jack mount coming for it very soon.

Both defender have our tailgate rack. Our is carrying a full jerry can that weighs 40lbs a propane tank that weighs 15lbs and the maxtrax extreme that weights 20lb. The rack itself weighs 40lbs and the 35s and wheel combo weight about 112lbs. Oem weighed about 75lbs

One of our prototype hilift jack mounts being tested out.