Lifting tires

I finished installing the lift I bought and had an issue that I have not come across before. This is because I'm getting older and not nearly as strong as I was once.

How do you lift your tire if you have to change to the spare? On the trail, by yourself, no help available, and you have heavy tires 33" or better?

pic of Toytec Lift if anyone is considering. Turned out pretty good.

 

Couple options are buying a bigger bottle jack, pro eagle jack, or if you have sliders/bumpers you can use a hi-lift but just need to be careful about it. There’s also a new “exhaust jack” that is essentially an airbag that fills up via your exhaust and can lift up one side of your vehicle.

 

I believe he means lifting the tire itself to mount it, i could be wrong though.

 

Probably right, lol.


In that case OP, carry small pieces of a 2x4 and just roll the tire onto them to help get a better angle to lift/mount it. Definitely a PITA to mount bigger tires.
maybe this could help in some way?
https://youtu.be/stzmG_2VQRY

 

I think he means lifting the wheel/tire for mounting/dismounting. Not jacking up the vehicle.

Edit: @SlvrSlug beat me to it

 

Hi Tropic Lightning, yes I'm talking about lifting the tire itself, off the ground, and putting it on lugs. After back surgery awhile back, getting older, it is a struggle if I'm in a bad spot or tired.

 

I feel your pain brother.

 

I use my back in a jerking twisting motion... But have learned long ago to sit on my butt, a leg on each side of the tire, lift, hold tire using legs while lining up the lugs. Kind of hard to explain, but i use legs and arms to lift it in place.

 

Could also roll said tire onto something like rock or board, high enough to line up the studs. MRAP tires are a PITA to change, but anything with a winch to remove the spare would be.

 

The trick I teach people is to kneel on one knee with your flat foot under the rotor. Roll the tire up on top of your foot and basically lift your heel, like standing on your tip toes. You can stand on your toes lifting your full body weight effortlessly, the wheel/tire is nothing in comparison, plus you the angle of your lifted foot will tip the tire towards the hub.

 

I use a crowbar over a block of wood to raise the tire. When changing a tire I don't want any part of my body anywhere under the the jacked up vehicle.

 

Lots of good ideas here! I rotate mine about 5× a year, so anything that makes it easier is cool with me. I will have to try some of these tricks to save my back.

 

That is exactly how I do it.

 

Wargaming ideas for my back, is there a scenario that this would not work? Tire size? distance to hub because of not completely flat surface line a fire trail? ect

 

Don’t get old. It sucks.

I recently strained my back loading 4 mounted tires into the back of my 200 Land Cruiser.

 

That is this older guy's (74) technique

 

I like it because you can see the wheel studs without doing a full yoga workout. Picked it up when i was swapping out 315's an the regular.

 

You could lower the vehicle to where the lugs are at the correct height. Line everything up first. Top dead center with your lugs or however you want to do it.



If you don’t want to do that try tying a line through your wheel so you can handle it in a better more upright position. You could probably mount it while fully upright.

 

I use the Toyota lugnut wrench as a lever under the tire to help raise it. It still requires some flailing around to get it lined up just right.

 

Save up some newspapers, magazines or cardboard boxes and build a small ramp system. Roll the tire up the ramp until the holes line up with the lugs, then wiggle it on. It'll take some trial and error but your back will thank you.

 

My response to people that say don’t get old is, it beats the hell out of the alternative.

 

My back hates me no matter what..lol. The ramp idea you mention sounds pretty good for when I'm on driveway, but the universe being what it is, imagine I've just gotten stuck in a red clay ditch filled with water, deep in the woods and tire goes. I use a winch, shovel, and/or claws to get myself out of ditch but still got to change out the tire. I'm physically drained now and no one is coming to help.

 

I usually park my ass on the ground and roll it into my lap and you get an eye level view that way too.
Work smarter not harder.

 

Bring a friend! Bring 2 friends and hold their beers while they help you change the tire.

Same concept applies along a highway shoulder or out on the trails. Just build up a mound of dirt with your shovel, and roll the tire up the mound. If your mound is too tall, turn the wheel side to side until the tire digs in a little. The ancient Egyptians probably had a similar system to build the pyramids.

 

Now see, this is one of the reasons i like this forum. You got logic, humor, and beer all in one post.

 

Nice lift. Btw. Windbag Max for me. I have a slipped disc & two pinched nerves.

$30 Winbag MAX

https://www.amazon.com/Winbag-E1573...gid=pla-915990965901&ref=&adgrpid=94306392952

$21 Calculated Industries 1194 Air Shim XL Inflatable Pry Bar and Leveling Tool; 500 LB Load Holding Rating; Contractor-Grade Alignment Pump Wedge

Calculated Industries 1194 Air Shim XL Inflatable Pry Bar and Leveling Tool; 500 LB Load Holding Rating; Contractor-Grade Alignment Pump Wedge - - Amazon.com

 

Believe I will order one, never knew about these..Thanks! I have been pondering something like this lever device but modifying with larger rubber tires and turn it into a "Take-down" with pins instead of bolts.

$136 Esco 70132 Super Single Tire Wheel Dolly

https://www.amazon.com/70132-Super-...rds=tire+lift+tool&qid=1625487476&sr=8-1&th=1

 

Your welcome,
I now about back problems. Did too many wild things when I was young. Hope it helps.
Good luck