TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hi-lift jack on stock pan?

Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:24 pm

Greetings
I have 30" tires on my 181 Thing and the jack points on the stock pan are at 16" high. The stock jack can only go to 20" of lift, so it really cannot lift the vehicle high enough if I get a flat off road. I have seen bajas use the hi-lift jack, but they have used it on the front beam or the rear cage. With the body on the 181, a hi-lift cannot get good access to the front beam and the stock bumpers are not strong enough to lift the vehicle.

My question is can a hi-lift jack be used to lift a stock pan at the stock lift points safely?

Thanks in advance

Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:35 pm

There is a insert that goes into "jack receiver" on side of pan so one can use a bottle jack or scissor jack or whatever .... Get one and use it with high lift jack.... Be sure you block wheels on opposite side where you are using high lift jack. These style jacks are not really stable by themselves... Best thing may be to MOD insert so it has a very positive "grasp" on high lift jack...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1234289

Bottom line here is to be very careful and very sure what you are doing.... A floor jack under lifting pad may be far more stable than a high lift.

Dale

Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:52 pm

High lift jacks are very valuable off road tools. They are also VERY dangerous. If you do get one, learn what is is and is not capable of. I carry one in most of my vehicles. I also have a buddy that has a 100,000 dollar plus hi lift. Thats how much the hospital bills were after not respecting the jack, or properly using it, and having the handle beat him as the weight unloaded on a heavy trailer.