Hi-lift near miss today - be careful everyone!
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Hi-lift near miss today - be careful everyone!
Well, I had the bright idea of rotating my tires today, front to back. So I thought to myself, "well, I never use this Hi-lift anyway, let's give it a whirl."
So I jack one side of my rig up on the sliders. I even have Brian's Hi-lift adapter to help.
So I start cranking and I get an unusual amount of flex out of my sliders; enough to make me stare at that side for a minute in wonder. Anyway, as I crank it one last time to get both tires off the ground, the friggin base plate slides out and the vertical bar nails my rig on the passenger door!
Now I am standing there staring at the vertical bar, which is pressed tightly against the upper body line of my door skin. Basically a huge amount of weight was being held by the vertical bar on the door skin. Ugh!
I got another jack and took the weight off the Hi-lift. I then removed the Hi-lift and grimaced as I pulled it away from the door. Thankfully there is just a very small dent and some vertical lines of paint missing. It could have been much worse, I think we can all agree to that.
Anyway, if you didn't already know, please be careful when using your Hi-lift! I followed all the precautions and still got a good scare (and a good scar).
I would have taken pics, but the wound is not bad enough to show up.
So I jack one side of my rig up on the sliders. I even have Brian's Hi-lift adapter to help.
So I start cranking and I get an unusual amount of flex out of my sliders; enough to make me stare at that side for a minute in wonder. Anyway, as I crank it one last time to get both tires off the ground, the friggin base plate slides out and the vertical bar nails my rig on the passenger door!
Now I am standing there staring at the vertical bar, which is pressed tightly against the upper body line of my door skin. Basically a huge amount of weight was being held by the vertical bar on the door skin. Ugh!
I got another jack and took the weight off the Hi-lift. I then removed the Hi-lift and grimaced as I pulled it away from the door. Thankfully there is just a very small dent and some vertical lines of paint missing. It could have been much worse, I think we can all agree to that.
Anyway, if you didn't already know, please be careful when using your Hi-lift! I followed all the precautions and still got a good scare (and a good scar).
I would have taken pics, but the wound is not bad enough to show up.
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Well, I think it was a combination of the slider flexing and the base plate sliding. What's really strange is that now my slider (on one side) is where it should be with the 1" body lift. In other words, the slider on that side is now permanently flexed upward.
I like how it looks better, but I am worried about its durability. No offense to Stubbs of course. Maybe this is normal?
I like how it looks better, but I am worried about its durability. No offense to Stubbs of course. Maybe this is normal?
#5
Christian, glad the damage was minimal.
I have one of these.
http://www.hi-lift.com/Accessory%20Pages/orb.htm
You can make one, or just pick one up from a 4x4 shop like I did.
Mine is on the rear floor behind me at all times.
Makes the base much more stable.
I have one of these.
http://www.hi-lift.com/Accessory%20Pages/orb.htm
You can make one, or just pick one up from a 4x4 shop like I did.
Mine is on the rear floor behind me at all times.
Makes the base much more stable.
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Corey-
Thanks for the tip. I have seen those around. Would those benefit my Hi-lift on an epoxied garage floor (where this happened)? If so, then I need to go pick one up. That was freaky.
Thanks for the tip. I have seen those around. Would those benefit my Hi-lift on an epoxied garage floor (where this happened)? If so, then I need to go pick one up. That was freaky.
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#9
Seems that you tweaked the sliders... but the idea is that the sliders "tweak" and still take the load, rocks, trees etc. instead of not giving and tweaking the frame. Looks like you to get that fixed by cutting some or all of it off and putting on some new straight mounts. Just my 0.02.
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In all honesty Brian, I like the tweaked side better. Dare I try and tweak the other side? My biggest concern is if I actually need to "use" these things someday and they end up smashed against the pinch weld or something, causing body damage under the doors.
#11
Originally Posted by <96 Runner>
In all honesty Brian, I like the tweaked side better. Dare I try and tweak the other side? My biggest concern is if I actually need to "use" these things someday and they end up smashed against the pinch weld or something, causing body damage under the doors.
Good luck.
#13
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I just picked up a hi-lift and that was pretty much the nightmare I invisioned.
A couple questions-
What does the slider adapter look like/ do/ and cost?
Do you have the cast or stamped hi lift?
Why wouldn't this happen in the sand or hard packed dirt?
A couple questions-
What does the slider adapter look like/ do/ and cost?
Do you have the cast or stamped hi lift?
Why wouldn't this happen in the sand or hard packed dirt?
#14
Originally Posted by deathrunner
I just picked up a hi-lift and that was pretty much the nightmare I invisioned.
A couple questions-
What does the slider adapter look like/ do/ and cost?
Do you have the cast or stamped hi lift?
Why wouldn't this happen in the sand or hard packed dirt?
A couple questions-
What does the slider adapter look like/ do/ and cost?
Do you have the cast or stamped hi lift?
Why wouldn't this happen in the sand or hard packed dirt?
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Originally Posted by <96 Runner>
Corey-
Thanks for the tip. I have seen those around. Would those benefit my Hi-lift on an epoxied garage floor (where this happened)? If so, then I need to go pick one up. That was freaky.
Thanks for the tip. I have seen those around. Would those benefit my Hi-lift on an epoxied garage floor (where this happened)? If so, then I need to go pick one up. That was freaky.
Originally Posted by <96 Runner>
No offense to Stubbs of course. Maybe this is normal?
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I should mention to those that don't know that I won these sliders, compliments of Yotatech and Richard.
I have been very satisfied with the sliders, then again I have never had to use them.
I have been very satisfied with the sliders, then again I have never had to use them.
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Originally Posted by 44Runner
Your sliders are crap, plain and simple. Don't try to be all nice about it because everyone on this board thinks Stubbs sliders are "the bomb." This just shouldn't happen. I really don't know the first thing about these sliders and don't know if they are a one size fits all deal and it is up to you to figure out if it is right for your vehicle. If that is the case, you figured wrong. If, on the other hand, these were sold to you with the manufacturer saying that these are right for your vehicle, then I would feel cheated, because obviously they are not. You should be able to jack up one side of your vehicle with your slider and not have them bend. I mean what will happen if you smash them on a rock. i have a good feeling they'd be in your rocker...
My questions is, did you use the scab plates or just weld the tubes to the frame? did you put the scabs on in the diamond position?
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Glad things turned out to be not so bad. (could have been a lot worse, a slipping hi-lift sounds like it can be big trouble)
In my opinion a slider should defintely not be bend after hi-lift use.
Wabbitt's idea is good to remount everything and see how it works then. Not on slippery surfaces though.
Is it the slider that bend or the the mounting??
In my opinion a slider should defintely not be bend after hi-lift use.
Wabbitt's idea is good to remount everything and see how it works then. Not on slippery surfaces though.
Is it the slider that bend or the the mounting??
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Originally Posted by deathrunner
Do you have the cast or stamped hi lift?
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Originally Posted by Mickdady
My questions is, did you use the scab plates or just weld the tubes to the frame? did you put the scabs on in the diamond position?