Yeah I'd like one TJ Please...OFF the rocks.

Achped · 04-25-2006, 05:13 PM

We don't get many rocks here in FL, if we do they're usually man-made cement slabs. Well today I was down at the beach by Fort Desoto (Americas #1 beach) and came across these rocks. They were put there on purpose (I'm guessing) to stop erosion of the soil which held up the road. They ranged from the size of cell phones to the size of 35" boggers. I decided to take my stock (connected) TJ out there and see what I could really do!

Well, I have NO skids, except the stock one. I've got 28" A/T tires (the worst ones you can possibly buy) and a 4 banger (4lo though, so it didnt really matter)

Horrible horrible horrible. Especially with no skill, I managed to perch her right up on a rock....with my differential. I got lucky, no damage, and a couple of moved rocks and a bottle jack got me right off it. (Just put rocks under the tires to get it up higher.

And boy, when that draw bridge went up and I was out there with my friend moving rocks and twisting that bottle jack in front of all those people lined up in cars, I'm SO glad everyone on here told me NOT to get a hi-lift. Man, those things are dangerous and they're useless.

After we bottled 'er up I put the rocks under the front tires to give me height and I just backed off.

I guess I got lucky.

I have a cheesy cell phone vid I think you need real player but it definitely shows me being an idiot. You can hear it grind if you listen closely.

http://media.putfile.com/haha-82

**Steelman** · 04-25-2006, 05:58 PM

Not really sure about what a draw bridge and people lined up watching you makes a high-lift jack useless and dangerous...

I FLEX · 04-25-2006, 06:12 PM

Huhh...???

I would think a High-Lift would be quicker and easier. Most people will jack up on the bumpers or side of the tub on their rockers and while lifted start to drive sliding off the lift and getting past the obstacle. Plus if you have a tow strap or heavy duty tow chains you could use your High-lift as a hand winch, and yank yourself off a rock or two.

JeepinYahoo · 04-25-2006, 06:23 PM

Dangerous, yes. Useless, no. BTW, I was wondering why you drove straight into that rock with your differential?

2000yellowtj · 04-25-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I FLEX

Huhh...???

I would think a High-Lift would be quicker and easier. Most people will jack up on the bumpers or side of the tub on their rockers and while lifted start to drive sliding off the lift and getting past the obstacle. Plus if you have a tow strap or heavy duty tow chains you could use your High-lift as a hand winch, and yank yourself off a rock or two.

I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic...

Achped · 04-25-2006, 07:16 PM

Yeah guys, the "rolleyes" emoticon symbolizes that I'm "rolling my eyes" at that particular idea.

A High-lift would've had me off that rock in a minute, as opposed to 15 minutes playing legos with beach boulders, yet you never ever see any of the "older" guys tell you to get one. "You don't need one, false sense of security, dangerous, blah blah" two of which might be true, but a winch wouldn't have helped me at all in that situation and if there weren't any smalller rocks to help me then I would've been SOL without a high lift.

I'm ordering one as we speak. (Hopefully it will take less than the 3 weeks it's taken my TKH fab bumper to get here....are they made to order?)

Achped · 04-25-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepinYahoo

Dangerous, yes. Useless, no. BTW, I was wondering why you drove straight into that rock with your differential?

I have no experience with rocks. None. There simply aren't any around here. I figure they were small, I was in 4lo, and I was going slow. How hard could it be?

Well, the rocks were wet, so was the sand, and I didn't have the most important thing of all......a spotter. Just some giggling guy behind a camera.

phydeaux · 04-25-2006, 07:44 PM

My 1st Jeep was a 1960 Willys Jeep pick-up. It was previously owned by an old Gulf station so it had all the old snowplow brackets on it. I left them on for just such an occasion. (PA mountains are crawling with big ol' goonies.) It was a killer on ground clearance, but that lower bracket in front saved my diff a thousand times. Fun stuff.

JeepinYahoo · 04-25-2006, 09:25 PM

I guess I shouldn't flame you, I live in Arizona. There are rocks everywhere. Next time just keep your tires on the biggest rocks, that way you have the most distance between you and the ground.

**RnEmOvr** · 04-25-2006, 09:49 PM

hi-lifts arnt bad if used right

erickpl · 04-26-2006, 08:06 AM

Had you taken a different line, you would have been fine. The idea is to go over the larger rocks with your tires so you don't whack anything underneath while trying to stradle it.

The Jeep could have handled it. But you said you have never done rocks, so inexperience was probably the main issue here. Don't beat yourself up. I've heard of people in Jeeps getting stuck in wet grass with bald tires.

fisher836 · 04-26-2006, 08:18 AM

Lesson learned. Guarantee you'll try it again. I know I would.

04-25-2006, 06:12 PM	#3
I FLEX Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: BREMERTON, WA Posts: 657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Huhh...??? I would think a High-Lift would be quicker and easier. Most people will jack up on the bumpers or side of the tub on their rockers and while lifted start to drive sliding off the lift and getting past the obstacle. Plus if you have a tow strap or heavy duty tow chains you could use your High-lift as a hand winch, and yank yourself off a rock or two. __________________ - Micah Muddy TJ 2001 SE 5spd \| 33x12.5x15 Toyo MT's\| RE.BB with RE3.5 shocks \| Anti-Rock #13 My Jeep (they are some what updated) Best Vendor, great prices!!!