Tubular body protection is a common modification found on expedition vehicles that will see highly technical trails. Aside from providing the obvious protection from various trail obstacles, tubular protection (such as bumpers, panel protectors, and rock sliders) can also provide very solid locations around the vehicle where a Hi-Lift jack can be placed and used to raise the vehicle during recovery or field repair operations. Thus far, I have been content to use my Hi-Lift jack in these scenarios, and while performance has been very good, safety is always of paramount concern. There are many variables that when added up, will become the sum of any given recovery or repair operation. And the aspect of safety will always play into how these variables are assessed. Any time there is an opportunity to add redundant elements of safety where vehicle support and jack failure is concerned, they are a welcome addition.

The WabFab Slider Adapter Provides several benefits:

1. Improved Protection against lateral movement: By using the adapter, the contact area, or interface, between the tongue of the jack (large runner) and the tubing surface is greatly increased. This means much more resistance is available to prevent the jack tongue and the tubing to move laterally in opposite directions. (The tubing sliding sideways across the top of the jack tongue.)

2. Improved Protection against rotational movement: The increase in the surface contact area as mentioned above, is achieved in part, by the radial shape of the adapter mounting surface. This places the edges of the mounting surface high up on the sides of the tubing, providing more protection against rotational movement. (The jack tipping forward or backward)

3. Improved Protection against axial movement: the half-tube component used as the adapter mounting surface "wraps" around the lower half of the tubing when the jack is mounted. This greatly reduces any opportunity for the jack tongue to twist under the weight of the tubing/vehicle.

4. Minimal clearance required: The adapter provides a much needed ability to safely jack using tubing that is very close to the sheetmetal body of the vehicle. Depending on the various configurations of body protection offered and utilized for different vehicles, this can be highly beneficial (see photo below of the adapter being used on the Tacomas rear quarter-panel guards.)

The Slider Adapter is available in two models. Model #2 (shown) accomodates tubing up to 1.75" OD, while model #3 (not shown) accomodates tubing larger than 1.75" OD. The adapter is made from carbon steel material with MIG welds. Grade 8 hardware is included. Fits newer 48" and 60" Hi-Lift jacks. (The Hi-Lift used for this article is a 48" model that is at least 7 years old and the fit is perfect.) Unfinished metal is standard but a powdercoating option is available.

Remove the supplied grade 8 bolt and hex nut.

To be honest, I wasn't sure the adapter would really make enough difference to justify the cost and added weight of the item to the recovery kit. I was pleasantly surprised when I tested the product by repeatedly trying to upset the jack while my 5,300 lb. + truck was resting on the test subject. The WabFab Slider Adapter was quite impressive and will definitley add some more peace of mind to my future trail recoveries should the need arise.