I am new to off-roading and need to buy a hi-lift jack and tow strap as part of my safety equipment. I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer LT with Destination AT tires. Can anyone tell my how many inches the jack should be (42", 48", or 60"), and if this tow strap is acceptable:

Thanks!

 

i have no idea on the high lift as i dont have one, nor have i used/seen one in use.
as far as the strap, i have heard bad things about those hooks that come with straps. personally, i would get a strap with the loops in it, and just use some good shackles. waaay safer, plus the shackle cant fall off whatever its attached to, as long as its not the stock tow hooks on these 4x4's. which i have also heard arent the greatest thing to use when recovering the car. just my .02
i have seen guys on here make up shackle mounts that replace the front tow hooks. if it were me, thats what i would do.

 

Are shackles those u-things with the bolts? (sorry--I'm just learning so I probably sound like a bonehead!)

 

yeah they are. heres one that you cant loose the pin for.

most shackles just basically have a bolt looking thing that screws into the bottom of them. as you can see with this one, its more of a through bolt with a cotter pin to keep the nut from backing off, basically making it impossible to loose the pin and or shackle.

 

I have yet to see someone need a hi-lift off-road. I have 2 in my shop, and none on either of my 4x4s, and as of yet have had need for one off-road.

Don't buy a strap with any type of steel end(chain or hook). It can turn into a projectile if it comes unhooked. Get something like this:

 

i dont think you would ever need a high lift. and i do some heavy duty offroading.

as for the strap try to get a recovery strap. not a tow strap. recovery straps stretch and use kenetic energy to jerk the truck out of whatever it is stuck on. a tow strap has no give and really jerks the car and can usually break things that way.

i have a bubba rope. granted they are expensive (170) but they are well worth it. makes pulling people out much easier. depends on the kind of offroading you are gonna be doing as well. if your gonna be out in rocks and stuff id take a winch over a strap any day. but recovery straps are the way to go.

 

I was given a free hi lift, and while it looks kinda cool mounted on the roof rack, I haven't had to use it. I can think of a few times it would be useful, such as lifting a corner to place traction aids under a tire. But the problem is there isn't a good lifting point on a blazer, except for the rear bumper/hitch. The front tow hooks won't support the weight, and will bend. Ask me how I know, lol.

Like everyone else has said, stay away from a strap with hooks. Loops and good shackles are the way to go. I've replaced my tow hooks with shackles, and have a couple more in the truck alongside my strap.

 

Thanks for this--I guess I'll save my money and not buy the lift, but will definitely buy the recovery strap with loops. And I think a good shovel and some old pieces of carpet may be a good idea. I also plan to get a tire deflator and a tire pump. I'm not planning to do anything that rough, but I also want to be prepared. No mud whomping or bouldering.

--L.

 

Thanks! I'm going to order the recovery strap with loops!

 

Thanks for your input! It makes me wonder why all the 4x4 groups insist that a hi-lift jack be carried. As for the straps, the majority consesus is recovery straps with loops--so that's what I'm gettin'!