A Caution About HiLifts

Crawdad · 05-31-2008, 04:25 PM

I have written posts on this very forum, telling people not to get comfortable around HiLift jacks, because they are extremely dangerous. I have always been EXTREMELY careful around them, and today I still screwed up.

This afternoon I was working on the 4Runner, putting in SDORI rear coil spring spacers. I had the axle disconnected, the tires off, and was lowering the axle to take the springs out. I had a floor jack under the diff, and the HiLift under the bumper.

This SHOULD have been okay - the HiLift was holding very little weight (just the rear end, no axle or tires), and was not jacked up far on the jack, so it wasn't really top heavy or anything.

I was lowering the axle, and apparantly something shifted, and I saw the truck start coming down on me, hard. The trailer hitch and bumper and frame hit me HARD, pinning my head to the ground - my vision went blank and I felt my skull actually flexing... my eyes felt like they were doing to explode, and I felt my jaw crack, and my tooth explode - literally, explode. Fragments everywhere. The HiLift got caught under the truck, and it came across my neck and chest, so I couldn't breathe.

Thankfully, a friend of mine was nearby, and managed to pick the truck off of me on sheer adrenaline, and I rolled out and did an assesment. I could mostly see okay, my head was throbbing and bleeding pretty bad but otherwise not turned into a pancake.

Anyway, I am mostly okay... I have a tooth that is shattered into pieces, and had to call my dentist on an emergency. I will have to have a root canal Tuesday, probably. The tooth is pretty much gone, the dentist patched it up so the roots weren't exposed. My head is gashed open and bloody and swollen, my arms are cut up pretty bad, but I am alive.

I thank God my friend was there... if he hadn't been, I would have died.

Please, be very, very careful when using these jacks. They can kill you in an instant, even when you recognize how dangerous they are. I was stupid one time and used it when I should have done it another way, and nearly died for it.

-Danny

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just a 22re · 05-31-2008, 04:39 PM

holly man im glad your ok man im really sorry this had to happen to you bro......

not to be a d!ck but i always use jack stands on the frame when ever i go under a car for this reson here had it happen to me thank god i was small enough to fit in the tub of a 92 fireturd im sorry to here this man but i think you yota loves you or she would have claimed you really fast

Crawdad · 05-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Thanks Allan, you're not being a jackass, you're right

. I was about to roll out from under the truck and put bottle jacks under the frame when it came crashing on my melon. Thankfully the truck was not too far up in the air!

I completely recognize my own stupidity. All it takes is a 2 second lapse in judgment and you're spattered on the pavement.

mt_goat · 05-31-2008, 04:56 PM

Ouch!!! That sucks but glad it wasn't any worse Danny.

Sounds like maybe you forgot to block the front wheels or something like that? Thanks for the warning.

Crawdad · 05-31-2008, 04:59 PM

The front wheels were blocked with the back tires in front of and behind one of the front tires, but I guess it rolled forward just enough that it shifted the weight on the jack, and it came down sideways.

I feel like a freakin' idiot, as I've been working on junk for years and years, and have always told people not to do what I did today. Oh well, there's my lesson I reckon.

abecedarian · 05-31-2008, 05:06 PM

glad to hear the injuries weren't worse. something was looking out for you.

it bears repeating, never work under an elevated vehicle without jackstands or blocks under the frame and the frame resting solidly on them
also, set the transfer into 4low and set the parking brake just in case

mt_goat · 05-31-2008, 05:07 PM

Oh yeah, I've have the rear shift sideways before too. Got to be careful for sure.

mt_goat · 05-31-2008, 05:09 PM

There was guy killed here a couple weeks ago under his truck.

Crawdad · 05-31-2008, 05:13 PM

It happens a lot, I guess. 3000-4000lbs of steel directly above your head is something that people (myself) tend to take for granted.

874runnersr5 · 05-31-2008, 05:26 PM

wow man, good to hear your okay.
Yeah, i really want to buy a car lift for my garage haha.

Elvota · 05-31-2008, 05:37 PM

Glad you are OK... and even though you realize what you did wrong, I am sure your story will emphasize how easy it is for anyone of to to make a "small" mistake that can result in some serious hardship.

WCorbett · 05-31-2008, 05:38 PM

wait are u trying to tell us u had the full rear weight of a 4runner on your neck? Again, not to be a dick, but lifting it and using one hi-lift to hold the weight is either sheer stupidity, or a trail fix.

ETRNL · 05-31-2008, 05:50 PM

Glad to see that your still with us and able to share your experiences to warn others that may not know.. good thing your buddy and a couple of angels were watching you..

off topic but i just watched a 4 part Discovery series special called the "The Human Body, Pushing the Limits" its awesome to see in 3D how the body sytems work in a crisis.. A dude on there pushed a 1200lb hunk of granite off of him to save him from falling of a cliff.

abecedarian · 05-31-2008, 05:57 PM

I wonder if this would be worthy of being 'sticky'd...
if not for any other reason than safety?
Maybe a sticky topic about "Working on vehicles and Darwin's theory."

Elton · 05-31-2008, 06:32 PM

ouch that sucks i well never work under my truck unless its on jack stands i dont trust the jack even if its a 300 dollar one

YotaJunky · 05-31-2008, 06:54 PM

glad you are ok. Let this be an admonition to all those who don't use jack stands on level ground.

YotaJunky · 05-31-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abecedarian

I wonder if this would be worthy of being 'sticky'd...
if not for any other reason than safety?
Maybe a sticky topic about "Working on vehicles and Darwin's theory."

YES, I second the motion.

Matt16 · 05-31-2008, 07:10 PM

[deleted], this thread should be stickied. Pardon me for the language, but this is serious. A member nearly lost their life here. I'm glad you're ok.

4X4snowRunner · 05-31-2008, 07:21 PM

I'm glad to hear you are in good will. Have a fast recovery and your experience will teach other’s to take care of them self.

abecedarian · 05-31-2008, 10:02 PM

Well it seems this thread has been moved to another area... but how about making the thread appear in every vehicle specific forum?
Some people don't visit the 4wheeling101 forum, you know. some people don't wheel and this doesn't just apply to wheeling. The accident in question didn't happen on the trail.

Matt16 · 06-01-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abecedarian

Well it seems this thread has been moved to another area... but how about making the thread appear in every vehicle specific forum?
Some people don't visit the 4wheeling101 forum, you know. some people don't wheel and this doesn't just apply to wheeling. The accident in question didn't happen on the trail.

This needs to be front and centre, its a safety-related matter. Lost of people wrench on their truck without to much concern for safety. This drives the message home.

Crawdad: what exactly landed on your head, the back half of the truck?

nv4runner · 06-01-2008, 01:02 AM

Glad that you made it out with minimal damage!

A game warden told me of an older and much more experienced warden who got stuck in the snow and used the hi-lift to help get unstuck. From what they saw the jack slipped and bashed him in the head. I don't remember how long he was up on the mountain before they found him, but he didn't survive. Extremely handy, but lethally hazardous even if you've had years of experience with them.

**waskillywabbit** · 06-01-2008, 07:15 AM

Sorry to hear about your close call and I am glad you are okay.

However, that accident was caused by your own negligence and/or stupidity, not a Hi-Lift Jack and the title of this thread is misleading.

Hi-Lift Jacks are NOT MAINTENANCE equipment and not meant to be used in your garage to work on your vehicle, they are RECOVERY equipment and meant to be used as such!!!

Invest in a set of jackstands or work on one side at the time.

Again, glad you are okay, but this wasn't the Hi-Lift Jack's fault. It was yours.

Crawdad · 06-01-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt16

This needs to be front and centre, its a safety-related matter. Lost of people wrench on their truck without to much concern for safety. This drives the message home.

Crawdad: what exactly landed on your head, the back half of the truck?

The trailer hitch and frame is what hit me and pinned me, with the weight of the back half of the truck on it.

Went to the ER last night and I'm fine, other than the obvious injuries. Apparently I have a strong skull.

Let me clarify something: I wasn't intending on working on the truck while it was supported by the hi-lift. My plan was to lower the axle on to the floor jack, raise the frame enough to get the springs off their perch, and then put jack stands under it. Should have been easy, and safe. My mistake was thinking "Crap, the axle isn't lowered enough, I'll stick my arm under there and lower it, it'll take 2 seconds" instead of continuing to lift the rear and then put it on jack stands. My head was actually CLEAR of the bumper - if it had come straight down, I would have been out of the way. However, HiLifts don't come straight down. They come back and at an angle when they drop, so the truck effectively shifted and landed on my head.

Doesn't make me any less of an idiot .

And it ain't the jack's fault, everyone - they're well designed, well purposed pieces of machinery, that can be incredibly unsafe when you use them unsafely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

However, that accident was caused by your own negligence and/or stupidity, not a Hi-Lift Jack and the title of this thread is misleading.

Well, I agree about the first part, but I don't think the title is misleading - it's not a problem with the jack itself, but it's a warning about what can happen if you use them incorrectly. The design of a HiLift is such that it can "shift" under load - it's meant to do this, and can be incredibly useful offroad (ie, jacking a stuck truck and pushing it off the jack). However, it can be disastrous if it shifts without warning.

It was my own negligence that caused this accident, but all it takes is half a second of screwing up and you're dead.

Maybe a more apt title would be "Working on vehicles and Darwin's theory" 'cause I almost took myself out of the gene pool

.

YotaJunky · 06-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Danny,

It was courageous of you to post this thread and your experience without taking reprimands personally. I'm sure you are not the only person who has used equipment without precaution. I include myself in that group.

Having survived this ordeal, I think your contribution about this experience has made more people take heed of your warning of what could happen while using a hi-lift jack the way you did.

My hat off to you Sir.

05-31-2008, 04:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Crawdad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 276	Thanks Allan, you're not being a jackass, you're right . I was about to roll out from under the truck and put bottle jacks under the frame when it came crashing on my melon. Thankfully the truck was not too far up in the air! I completely recognize my own stupidity. All it takes is a 2 second lapse in judgment and you're spattered on the pavement. __________________ 1990 4Runner 3.0/AT/4WD - 285/75/16 TreadWright D-Muds, SDORI Coil Spacer, Aisin Hubs 2005 Mazda 6i 2.3/MT

05-31-2008, 04:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 8,916	Ouch!!! That sucks but glad it wasn't any worse Danny. Sounds like maybe you forgot to block the front wheels or something like that? Thanks for the warning. __________________ ~Dale~ 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000.

05-31-2008, 04:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crawdad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 276	The front wheels were blocked with the back tires in front of and behind one of the front tires, but I guess it rolled forward just enough that it shifted the weight on the jack, and it came down sideways. I feel like a freakin' idiot, as I've been working on junk for years and years, and have always told people not to do what I did today. Oh well, there's my lesson I reckon. __________________ 1990 4Runner 3.0/AT/4WD - 285/75/16 TreadWright D-Muds, SDORI Coil Spacer, Aisin Hubs 2005 Mazda 6i 2.3/MT Last edited by Crawdad; 05-31-2008 at 05:03 PM.

05-31-2008, 05:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 8,916	Oh yeah, I've have the rear shift sideways before too. Got to be careful for sure. __________________ ~Dale~ 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000. Last edited by mt_goat; 06-09-2008 at 08:53 AM.

05-31-2008, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 8,916	There was guy killed here a couple weeks ago under his truck. __________________ ~Dale~ 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000.

05-31-2008, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Crawdad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 276	It happens a lot, I guess. 3000-4000lbs of steel directly above your head is something that people (myself) tend to take for granted. __________________ 1990 4Runner 3.0/AT/4WD - 285/75/16 TreadWright D-Muds, SDORI Coil Spacer, Aisin Hubs 2005 Mazda 6i 2.3/MT

05-31-2008, 05:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
874runnersr5 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Canaduh Posts: 2,785	wow man, good to hear your okay. Yeah, i really want to buy a car lift for my garage haha. __________________ 87' 4runner Sr5 : 22re : 5spd : 32x11.5 BGF Km2 : Cragar 15x8 soft 8s : TG Rock Defense Front Bumper : Sirius radio : Optima Red Top : Pioneer system : Engnbldr tchain kit : Downey 3" leafs : Diff breather : Tube doors : Bikini Top Calgary Toyota Association I <3 my Toyota

05-31-2008, 05:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
Elvota Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 3,436	Glad you are OK... and even though you realize what you did wrong, I am sure your story will emphasize how easy it is for anyone of to to make a "small" mistake that can result in some serious hardship. __________________ ================ 1990 4Runner \| V6 3.4 \| 5spd \| 240 someoddthousand miles \| SR5 \| SAS \| RLS \| 35's \| ARB \| TJM \| 217 to 1 \| W8000 - four wheels \| three sticks \| two hands \| one trail - RIGITY DIGITY visit the sticki chronicles

05-31-2008, 05:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
WCorbett Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Posts: 595	wait are u trying to tell us u had the full rear weight of a 4runner on your neck? Again, not to be a dick, but lifting it and using one hi-lift to hold the weight is either sheer stupidity, or a trail fix.

05-31-2008, 05:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
ETRNL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Priarieville LA Posts: 377	Glad to see that your still with us and able to share your experiences to warn others that may not know.. good thing your buddy and a couple of angels were watching you.. off topic but i just watched a 4 part Discovery series special called the "The Human Body, Pushing the Limits" its awesome to see in 3D how the body sytems work in a crisis.. A dude on there pushed a 1200lb hunk of granite off of him to save him from falling of a cliff. __________________ 2001 4Runner LTD, ISR/deckplate/ECT mod, 90w/130w Hella headlights, 12g headlight wire harness, Satoshi, Hood Emblem, fog light mod, constant power mod, big 3 mod, NO DRLs, Remote start with ~1 mile range, Toytech OMERun-3 3" lift, Big Foot ATs 265/75 R16. True Flow air filter, Aux reverse lights my favorite video

05-31-2008, 06:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	ouch that sucks i well never work under my truck unless its on jack stands i dont trust the jack even if its a 300 dollar one __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

05-31-2008, 06:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
YotaJunky Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 780	glad you are ok. Let this be an admonition to all those who don't use jack stands on level ground. __________________ '95 4WD 22R-E 4Runner, 5spd, 205k kms, 4.56 gears, extended diff breather mod, bilstein shocks, Aisin manual hub swap, 1.25 rear coil spacer, 32" BFG's -- my DD Last edited by YotaJunky; 05-31-2008 at 08:33 PM.

05-31-2008, 07:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
4X4snowRunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 64	Thank God I'm glad to hear you are in good will. Have a fast recovery and your experience will teach other’s to take care of them self. __________________ 4X4snowRunner 1998 4Runner SR5 V6 Heavy Duty for hauling & towing front suspension: OME882 OMEn91s 5mm trim spacer sonoransteel tapered 1" diff. drop rear suspension: OME891 OMEn86 5mm trim spacer sonoransteel adjustable trac/panhard bar 285/75/16 Toyo Open Country MT for summer 265/75/16 Geolandar i/T for winter 16x8 Painted American Racing Wheels Borla Exhaust Cat Back K&N Drop in Filter 4" Deck Plate

06-01-2008, 01:02 AM	#22 (permalink)
nv4runner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 202	Glad that you made it out with minimal damage! A game warden told me of an older and much more experienced warden who got stuck in the snow and used the hi-lift to help get unstuck. From what they saw the jack slipped and bashed him in the head. I don't remember how long he was up on the mountain before they found him, but he didn't survive. Extremely handy, but lethally hazardous even if you've had years of experience with them. __________________ 92 4Runner 5 spd V6 31X10.5X15LT, Aisin Manual Locking Hubs, K&N FIPK, Converted HID Driving Lights, Fog Lights, Rear in Bumper Mini Flood Lights

06-01-2008, 07:15 AM	#23 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,548	Sorry to hear about your close call and I am glad you are okay. However, that accident was caused by your own negligence and/or stupidity, not a Hi-Lift Jack and the title of this thread is misleading. Hi-Lift Jacks are NOT MAINTENANCE equipment and not meant to be used in your garage to work on your vehicle, they are RECOVERY equipment and meant to be used as such!!! Invest in a set of jackstands or work on one side at the time. Again, glad you are okay, but this wasn't the Hi-Lift Jack's fault. It was yours. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

06-01-2008, 08:39 AM	#25 (permalink)
YotaJunky Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 780	Danny, It was courageous of you to post this thread and your experience without taking reprimands personally. I'm sure you are not the only person who has used equipment without precaution. I include myself in that group. Having survived this ordeal, I think your contribution about this experience has made more people take heed of your warning of what could happen while using a hi-lift jack the way you did. My hat off to you Sir. __________________ '95 4WD 22R-E 4Runner, 5spd, 205k kms, 4.56 gears, extended diff breather mod, bilstein shocks, Aisin manual hub swap, 1.25 rear coil spacer, 32" BFG's -- my DD Last edited by YotaJunky; 06-01-2008 at 08:41 AM.

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