FIVE RULES TO WORKING ON A RAISED 4X4

1 A STABLE BASE

Unless you’re lifting a can of coke with a trolley jack, chances are you’ll be putting a significant amount of weight onto a concentrated point. High-lifts, bottle jacks and screw jacks all benefit from a base when lifting on anything other than hard-packed dirt. They can also provide a more stable platform that prevents the jack from slipping.

2 THE RIGHT JACK

Don’t use a high-lift jack when a bottle jack will do, don’t use a bottle jack when you need a high-lift, and don’t use an exhaust jack if you’re planning on getting underneath the rig.

3 DON’T BE AN IDIOT

Stop and think about what you’re doing. In even the most routine jacking operation you’re lifting a tonne or two into the air and balancing it on one shaft. What will happen if it comes off? Axle stands and a set of wheel chocks are an absolute must in any situation. If you’re out bush then at least throw the spare tyre under the sill.

4 KEEP IT LOW

The higher you lift something, the less stable it’ll be. Not just because the 4x4 is higher, but because jacks become less stable the higher they’re wound up. It amplifies any movement at the bottom and can quickly push the 4x4 off the jack.

5 PREDICT THE FUTURE

When you lift a 4x4 you change its centre of gravity, what’s holding it in place, and how stable it is. Think about what you’ll do and what effect it will have on the rest of the 4x4. Will turning the wheel you’ve just lifted off the ground force one of the fronts to turn, rolling you off the jack? Will jacking it up in the first place send it careening downhill, warranting connecting the winch line before you lift it? If you’re on your own changing a tyre you’ll still be on your own if you roll your 4x4 or break your tools, so use your noggin.