How to change a tire on the trail

NevadaZielmeister

NevadaZielmeister

Caught the Bug
Newb question everyone. Surprisingly, there is little reference I could find on the internet regarding how to change a tire while out on the trail (either that or my goggle-fu is broken).

Does anyone have any links to any videos that are going to give me good information on how?

Does anyone have a list of equipment you should bring onto the trail?

I only saw one video recently regarding the use of a Hi-Lift jack but those things scare me. Would a bottle jack work and what else would I need to get a tire changed?

Any advise, direction or help would be appreciated.
 
I would say you need the same tools you need at the house to change the tire, you will just be using a breaker bar instead of an air impact. Bottle jack works in a lot of situations if used under the axle. If you get a chance re-watch the WAL video's there are some good examples of field fixes. Not a tire change but they are removing the tire to work on the axles.
 
NevadaZielmeister said:
Newb question everyone. Surprisingly, there is little reference I could find on the internet regarding how to change a tire while out on the trail (either that or my goggle-fu is broken).

Does anyone have any links to any videos that are going to give me good information on how?

Does anyone have a list of equipment you should bring onto the trail?

I only saw one video recently regarding the use of a Hi-Lift jack but those things scare me. Would a bottle jack work and what else would I need to get a tire changed?

Any advise, direction or help would be appreciated.
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Tire iron helps tremendously but they're kind of large, we had to do an axle shaft removal when a buddy of mine broke his u joints a week ago but we were on a flat part of the trail and he's basically stock running 33s we also used the stock jack, I'd imagine if you're not much bigger than stock on 33s a couple short lengths of 2x6 could give your jack enough room to lift your jeep and create a relatively safe place to jack up your axle from

And if I were using a bottle jack I'd still have a 2x6 to base it on probably like a 10 inch piece of 2x6 maybe even 2x8
 
JakeJK said:
Tire iron helps tremendously but they're kind of large, we had to do an axle shaft removal when a buddy of mine broke his u joints a week ago but we were on a flat part of the trail and he's basically stock running 33s we also used the stock jack, I'd imagine if you're not much bigger than stock on 33s a couple short lengths of 2x6 could give your jack enough room to lift your jeep and create a relatively safe place to jack up your axle from

And if I were using a bottle jack I'd still have a 2x6 to base it on probably like a 10 inch piece of 2x6 maybe even 2x8
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You brought up a very good point, one I forgot to mention in the thread start. I will be running 37 inch wheels. I am concerned that the bottle jack or the stock jack would not be of much use. Any suggestions on a different jack? And when you saw a 2x6 inch based, you are referring to a piece of wood?
 
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You can also buy the bases from AEV I believe that make it able to use the factory jack when you have bigger tires. Though I'm not sure as far as what tire size. Ive also seen people use the base made for the hi lift jacks but under a bottle jack to help keep it from sinking in the mud or soft ground. A piece of wood would also work if you didn't want to buy one of the bases.

I still have the stock jack in the jeep but will probably remove it and replace it with a bottle jack. Don't know what size yet, there are write ups on here though. I also carry a hi lift jack. If used it plenty of times both on and off road and was glad I had it. Could other jacks or tools done the job and maybe better? Maybe so. But I had the hi lift. So I used it. Is it necessary for every off road vehicle? No.
 
First off, DO NOT use a Hi-Lift jack to change a tire. It is the WRONG tool for the job. Being that you will be running 37's, I would recommend that you pick up a good bottle jack as it will do the job better and safer. I prefer to carry a 12 ton bottle jack as it is big enough for the job and small enough to carry in your trunk cubby or under the rear seat. I also carry 2x4's that I've cut down to fit inside the trunk cubby as they can be used to create a wider base and can be stacked if more height is needed. When changing a tire, lift your Jeep from the base of your control arm joint (or skid if you have one) or base of your differential as they will be the lowest points.
 
I have one of the aev bases for the stock jack. It is enough to lift my tire off ground to change it lifting by axle tube but just barely assuming the ground is pretty firm. It also makes the jack much more stable as the aev base is much wider. I'm running 37" toyos.

A couple of the guys I wheel with have bottle jacks that have for lack of better terminology, skid plates, under them that are specifically for off road. Provides a much bigger footprint for stability on loose ground. They work great but they aren't cheap and they take up a fair amount of space to store.
 
I carry a high lift scissor jack made for HMMWVs. I also have the stock jack as well, plus carry a collapsible tire iron, ratchet/breaker bar and socket to fit the lug nuts, and a plug kit just in case. I hate flats!
 
NevadaZielmeister said:
You brought up a very good point, one I forgot to mention in the thread start. I will be running 37 inch wheels. I am concerned that the bottle jack or the stock jack would not be of much use. Any suggestions on a different jack? And when you saw a 2x6 inch based, you are referring to a piece of wood?
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Yes I was talking about wood, Eddie suggested 2x4 so I'd assume either would be beneficial, I got a 20 ton bottle back and it's a little much haha I can literally lift the jeep with zero effort with that thing
 
wayoflife said:
First off, DO NOT use a Hi-Lift jack to change a tire. It is the WRONG tool for the job. Being that you will be running 37's, I would recommend that you pick up a good bottle jack as it will do the job better and safer. I prefer to carry a 12 ton bottle jack as it is big enough for the job and small enough to carry in your trunk cubby or under the rear seat. I also carry 2x4's that I've cut down to fit inside the trunk cubby as they can be used to create a wider base and can be stacked if more height is needed. When changing a tire, lift your Jeep from the base of your control arm joint (or skid if you have one) or base of your differential as they will be the lowest points.
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This, as usual, is the most sound advise. Thank you very much.

Any idea about which is a good brand? I have searched and you get so many brands that seem pretty much relabeled and then relabeled again.

I am not much to rant, but it frustrates me about some vendors. Check out this thing:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/aux_incl/images.ashx?i=4WD_LM100.jpg&partNo=H/L&w=450&h=450

What the fuck is this?!? I went to this vendor's website (I am trying to keep them nameless) and found this item when I entered a search for "bottle jacks". I wonder, when would I ever use this thing? Why do some shops and vendors still push the Hi-Lift Line when they are not a good design? And by the way, this vendor did not even carry any bottle jacks. (Rant over)
 
BlueBox said:
I carry a combination bottle jack / jack stand. Its adjustable height and all the ease of using a bottle jack. Only $50 too!

http://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-64...919588&sr=8-1&keywords=bottle+jack+jack+stand
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This seems pretty sweet, but the concern would be the 3 ton rating. I have used a 3-ton jack and it just barely gets my VW off the ground and then, not even to full top stroke. I just wish they had this in a higher weight capacity, like… 12 tons. Based on my own personal experience, I can see where Eddie is going with his suggestion regarding a 12 ton bottle jack. It would make the lifting so much easier.

Thank you for the suggestion though.
 
NevadaZielmeister said:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/aux_incl/images.ashx?i=4WD_LM100.jpg&partNo=H/L&w=450&h=450

...I went to this vendor's website (I am trying to keep them nameless) and found this item when I entered a search for "bottle jacks". I wonder, when would I ever use this thing? Why do some shops and vendors still push the Hi-Lift Line when they are not a good design? And by the way, this vendor did not even carry any bottle jacks. (Rant over)
Click to expand...

You realize it's literally the vendor's websites name, right? This made me laugh outloud!! :) :)
 
NevadaZielmeister said:
This, as usual, is the most sound advise. Thank you very much.

Any idea about which is a good brand? I have searched and you get so many brands that seem pretty much relabeled and then relabeled again.

I am not much to rant, but it frustrates me about some vendors. Check out this thing:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/aux_incl/images.ashx?i=4WD_LM100.jpg&partNo=H/L&w=450&h=450

What the fuck is this?!? I went to this vendor's website (I am trying to keep them nameless) and found this item when I entered a search for "bottle jacks". I wonder, when would I ever use this thing? Why do some shops and vendors still push the Hi-Lift Line when they are not a good design? And by the way, this vendor did not even carry any bottle jacks. (Rant over)
Click to expand...

07JKSahara said:
You realize it's literally the vendor's websites name, right? This made me laugh outloud!! :) :)
Click to expand...

I know, but hey, at least I did not SAY it, right? :thankyou:
 
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