Where to put my HighLift Jack?

[donkey boy]

I'm tempted to put my HighLift Jack on the stock roof rack as for example Gerald did, but neither the 4XRAC nor the LOC-RAC seams to be ideal to me for that task.

I was actually thinking about drilling a hole in the stock bar and putting a long M8 screw through it (with two large washers our counter plates to reinforce it), but then I'm not sure if these stock bars are strong enough for this kind of mount.

If somebody has any good ideas or pics, or any alternative locations where the HighLift can be stowed without bothering, please let me know!

 

[leebo]

I've got mine right on the front bumper. It's also kinda bent from when I ran into a rock....still works fine. I used the lock and drilled in. I'm not sure how it would work on the newer explorers though.

[Edited by leebo on 11-30-2000 at 12:19 PM]

 

[Maniak]

We made our own bumper and mounted it in front of the bumper... Here's a picture of it..

Even with the jack on the front our aproach angle (in front of the tires) is 50+ degrees.. We are going to make our own brackets to put the jack just above and even with the bumper.. I dont like the idea of using the high lift jack as a bumper (I've done it a few times)..

 

[GJarrett]

Michael, the LOC-RAC doesn't look like it will hold a jack horizontally, but it actually locks it in very securely. I installed it toward the side so the weight of the jack wouldn't strain the roof rack, and it works great. The roof rack can hold a lot more than a jack, especially if the weight is held away from the middle.

Many wheelers simply do the cheap fix of buying a couple of long bolts with washers, locknuts, and wingnuts to install it anywhere they want to on the vehicle. You can't beat the price for that setup.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Hi Lift

Donkeyboy,

I carry my Hi-Lift inside, securely tied down, in the cargo area, usually along the passengers side rear wheel well. I know, I know.... it doesn't look look real cool, but it solves a couple of problems with other mount systems and locations. First of all, it's (Hi-LIft) a fair amount of weight, and I try to keep heavy things low rather than high (as on the roof rack), so I don't mess with the CG anymore than I already have. I keep the spare tire under the body in the original location for the same reason. Yeah, sometimes the spare tire becomes a skid plate, but so far no problems, and no, I don't carry a 33" spare.

Second, outside mounts, roof or otherwise, subject the operating mechanism of the jack to dirt and corrosiuon, and I've found that the outside ones get real balky just when you need them.

Hi-Lift sells a black vinyl bag for storing the jack, so grease and oil doesn't get on your other cargo, and it works out well. I locate the jack so if I need it, I can just slip it out through the tailgate, without unpacking other stuff. OK, so all the other guys can't see that I've got a cool jack, but that's not what it's for!

 

[donkey boy]

Thanks for all your imput.

Ray, you are absolutely right what you say about the CG. I like to keep my vehicle functional and I don't care too much for a cool look ( my wife thinks I should care more and make it look cooler, with running boards, a crome brush guard etc.) Keeping the jack inside would be an option and would make sence. Only problem: the way I have the inside arranged I think the jack would bother. But I will have a look at it again.

Gerald, no problems mounting the LOC-RAC on the bars? The bars are nicely aerodynamicly (LOL) shaped and the LOC-RAC is designed for being mounted on a flat surface with this tiny little screws ...

Anyhow, my vehicle is in the shop today for installing the EZ-lockers so I will need to take care of the jack on the week-end.

 

[Alec]

Michael,

Just an idea for you: Why not mount the jack on the tailgate on the inside? It wouldn't take up much room and would be easily accessible. Like I said, just an idea...

 

[donkey boy]

I had the same idea, Alec. I figured out that with the extra-weight of the jack, the tailgate would not stay up anymore when open. Additionaly, I just manage to stand under the open tailgate, with the jack there, you can be sure I would bump my head every second day. But thanks for the idea.

 

[leebo]

Maniak....I didn't mean to use it as a bumper....it just happened. The sad thing is that it took the pain.

Just a quick suggestion...if you do mount it outside....keep the part that goes to the truck facing UP. This will help with your angles. I used to have mine about like Maniak has his but it would keep getting caught. Flip the jack around and I haven't had a problem yet.

 

[rpenner54]

I have had mine mounted on the front bumper for a number of months. The bigest problem is snow! It gets on it and then it rusts and the darned thing won't work without a lot of perswasion. I think I need to oil it.

 

[Maniak]

We thought about putting the jack in the vehicle but a 60" high lift jack when mounted in the back would be too close to the driver (and windows).. I also thought about putting it on top of the vehicle but since the jack is already 1" taller than Yolanda and is not a light jack I didn't think too long about it.

Leebo,
We didn't mean to use ours as a bumper either.. but I've had to push Yolanda's Mom's Chevy 3/4 ton a few times.. so far the only damage has been to the bumper of the Chevy..

I used to have the bumper the other way but we kept dropping the handle. We have to drive on 2 miles of washboard to get to/from the house.. and from there it is on a twisty/bouncy road to the freeway.. After the 3rd time of dropping the handle (it makes a lot of noise.. and neat sparks) I flipped it over.. When we go wheeling I do flip it so the handle is down and the pointy part (the part the lifts the truck) is up.



[Edited by Maniak on 12-01-2000 at 11:28 AM]

 

[sk1er17]

ive been thinking of drilling a hole in each of my thule bars and doing the bolt/washers idea up there. But if i do that i want the bolts to be thick enough where i can drill another hole through them to put a lock on like the LOC-RAC. Then just use a velcrow strap and some rubber to clamp the arm down better to keep it from rattling.

 

[Limited Ex]

Originally posted by sk1er17
ive been thinking of drilling a hole in each of my thule bars and doing the bolt/washers idea up there. But if i do that i want the bolts to be thick enough where i can drill another hole through them to put a lock on like the LOC-RAC. Then just use a velcrow strap and some rubber to clamp the arm down better to keep it from rattling.

I did that. It works great, and since I do not keep my Hi Lift up there all the time, I did not put a lock on it.