Hi-lift mount
- Thread starter JKU87
- Start date
Kmrtnsn
Explorer
Two tools, with two almost completely different purposes. Your stock scissor jack, although very useful for changing tires is not a recovery tool. If you can find one, the military HMMWV scissor jack has impressive spread, useful for other lifted vehicles. They're just a bit bulky.
I used the tube mounts from Hi Lift to mount it to my roll bar in my 2 door JK. I needed to buy the 60" lift and cut it down but it wasn't a big deal. I sold the 48"er quick and easy locally. Its up high and doesn't block my view and is always there. I think it would be a hassle to slog it back and forth to my rig for trail runs and would probably stop taking it or get into trouble without it on a impromptu expedition.
I've used mine twice as a winch after sliding off the road and not being able to get back on without help. I sure was glad I had it with me.
I've used mine twice as a winch after sliding off the road and not being able to get back on without help. I sure was glad I had it with me.
jeepovich
Explorer
I don't have a sliding drawer, instead I made a lifted platform (about $50 in parts) which is bolted to the floor using existing holes. It allows me to store a table, chairs and other big/flat items while still using the factory cabby for tool storage.
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njjeepthing
Explorer
I don't like mine outside in the elements, dam things are picky as it is, rust just adds to it. I am planning on getting one of these mounts.
Yuccahead
Adventurer
Another idea for you:
Right before a long off road trip, I realized I left my hi-lift out of my apparently less-than-extensive planning. I ended up actually storing mine under the back row of seats in my JKU. It takes some patience to slide it in and then I used bungee cords to secure it against the front seat supports with carpet fragments to keep it from rattling. If I wrecked, the jack wasn't going anywhere. Then I also stored other stuff under the seats as well. The trip was in the desert so I wasn't worried about mud if I ever used it. As a temporary solution, it worked pretty well and was free. Downside was that I couldn't fold the seat down. That was fine for this particular trip since I wanted the seats up to keep a dog in the very back.
For my next long trip, I think I will temporarily mount it on the bull bar and then remove it when I get home. To me, putting it under the roof or on the hood is just asking for damage when removing or restoring it. Either to human or to the Jeep. If I had Arnold Schwarzenegger's arms, I wouldn't mind. But with my current set of desk-worker limbs, the thing is a pain to move around up high.
On shorter (day) trips, I often don't bother taking the thing. I have an AEV base and the stock jack as well as a winch so I'm not travelling naked. I also haven't had a need to use it in about 7 years. I think I'm smarter with tires after killing 2 BFG MT tires with sidewall punctures in one month several years ago. That hurt and I learned.
Right before a long off road trip, I realized I left my hi-lift out of my apparently less-than-extensive planning. I ended up actually storing mine under the back row of seats in my JKU. It takes some patience to slide it in and then I used bungee cords to secure it against the front seat supports with carpet fragments to keep it from rattling. If I wrecked, the jack wasn't going anywhere. Then I also stored other stuff under the seats as well. The trip was in the desert so I wasn't worried about mud if I ever used it. As a temporary solution, it worked pretty well and was free. Downside was that I couldn't fold the seat down. That was fine for this particular trip since I wanted the seats up to keep a dog in the very back.
For my next long trip, I think I will temporarily mount it on the bull bar and then remove it when I get home. To me, putting it under the roof or on the hood is just asking for damage when removing or restoring it. Either to human or to the Jeep. If I had Arnold Schwarzenegger's arms, I wouldn't mind. But with my current set of desk-worker limbs, the thing is a pain to move around up high.
On shorter (day) trips, I often don't bother taking the thing. I have an AEV base and the stock jack as well as a winch so I'm not travelling naked. I also haven't had a need to use it in about 7 years. I think I'm smarter with tires after killing 2 BFG MT tires with sidewall punctures in one month several years ago. That hurt and I learned.
A
AngryRedBird
Guest
Yucca, I can relate.. Even after repainting it, I hated to sell the Hi Lift.. But snatching it off the hood when I needed was taking it's toll. I was mainly using it for our TJ as a means of rotating the tires.. and people (jeeper's) hate when I admit that's how I used the jack.. can't be used this way on the JK's. Unless one takes the proper "steps' to prepare the rocker panel area and bumpers.
GetOutThere
Adventurer
Just as an aside to everyone saying that the hi-lift cannot be used on the JK, that only applies to non Rubicon models.
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The jack can definitely be used on the Rubicon rock sliders with no ill effects, as I have done so many times. As for storage, I keep mine in the Rugged Ridge mount on the back of my tail gate. This mount is not ideal, as it does not mount flush to the tail gate, but has two spacers, creating some weak points in the attachment. My kit also came with the incorrect bolting hardware, and the spacers did not fit properly under the latch covers, causing them to eventually crack.
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An interior mounting point wouldn't work for me, as pretty much every time I have a need to use the hi-lift it gets covered in crap that I don't want in the Jeep or all over my other packed items. With the Jeep loaded it would also be more difficult to get to/replace every time. I definitely think the rear of the vehicle is the best place to mount it, I just wouldn't recommend my particular method.
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The jack can definitely be used on the Rubicon rock sliders with no ill effects, as I have done so many times. As for storage, I keep mine in the Rugged Ridge mount on the back of my tail gate. This mount is not ideal, as it does not mount flush to the tail gate, but has two spacers, creating some weak points in the attachment. My kit also came with the incorrect bolting hardware, and the spacers did not fit properly under the latch covers, causing them to eventually crack.
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An interior mounting point wouldn't work for me, as pretty much every time I have a need to use the hi-lift it gets covered in crap that I don't want in the Jeep or all over my other packed items. With the Jeep loaded it would also be more difficult to get to/replace every time. I definitely think the rear of the vehicle is the best place to mount it, I just wouldn't recommend my particular method.