Hi-lift mount

[JKU87]

Hey all,

Really planning out needs for my JKU and a hi lift is on the list. Still debating over a hood mount or interior solution. Post away your pictures and suggestions for storing a hi lift, and shovel as well, for a JKU. Last week I posted asking about tires and you guys gave me great suggestions. Looks like this weeks goal for me will be a hi lift storage solution. Thanks!

 

[AngryRedBird]

Several options when it comes to the placement of the Hi Lift.. Our option for the 99 TJ was to have the hood mounting systems as offered by toughstuff.. Over time and the constant exposure to the elements took it's toll on the mount as well as the jack.. Both had to be repainted. I have seen several running with a bull bar mounting system.. but most run their jacks on the rear of their jeeps.. As of late.. there are a few that are mounting the jacks inside the jeep via the rear roll cage. I think it depends on how often one is actually going to use it and if it actually ends up being in the way once mounted or too heavy to pull off the hood or even the roof.

 

[RagnarD]

Saw a hood mounted jack the other day and it got me wondering what would happen to the jack in an accident. Seems like a horizontal or vertical bumper mount is the safest.

 

[AngryRedBird]

Good question.. On our hood mount system as offered by toughstuff.. the mount attaches to the hinge mounts as located on the hood.. However for all the equipment that can be placed on the hood mount system, shovels, axe hi lift etc.. I used Daystar's hi lift poly spacers/retainers.. as a means of cushioning the jack.. while traveling without these spacers.. it will make a bit of noise. As a safety feature.. I also incorporated a Masterlock so it's not going to get stolen.. seeing how the mount hardware comes with wing nuts only. I deally the hood mount would be safer than mounting on the front bumper.. The only issue with mounting on the hood, is that if one wants to open the hood.. the jack will scrape or bump the cowl area or even the windshield.
Granted, I do agree that is a strong enough force was to dislodge the jack from the hood mount, it could become a projectile.

 

[JKU87]

I'd only be taking the hi-lift when I go out on the trails, camping, etc. Hopefully I can find a good place in my condo to store it. I like the idea of the hood mount. My front bumper is the factory one but I removed the plastic. Wonder if I could fabricate a bumper mount somehow? Going to look at options later on and I appreciate the feedback!

 

[bobwohlers]

IMHO, before you decide to purchase/secure a Hi-Lift Jack, do you really need one? Or, is your purchase based on "everyone else has one." Your stock jack may be perfect (and perhaps safer) in most situations. If you add a lift to your JK, then you do need a way to "reach" the vehicle with your stock jack, so see this: http://www.aev-conversions.com/shop/products/tools-accessories/jk-jack-base

Now, don't get me wrong... I have a Hi-Lift Jack and use it VERY regularly, but not to change a tire or simply "lift" my vehicle. I use it for many things a stock jack cannot do... Backwards winching (my winch is the front), lifting me up off of high-centered rocks when I'm stuck (I lift from my rock rails; if you don't have rock rails IMHO you do not need a Hi-lift Jack), lifting the vehicle when I'm on ice (I then use the Jack Mate to "bite" into the ice rather than the flat plate at the bottom).

All that said... a Hi-Lift Jack is a very dangerous tool. Use it wisely and carefully. Don't fail to practice with it when not under duress and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions exactly.

 

[codesertrat]

I bought the Rugged Ridge mounting bracket for the rear tailgate hinges for about $75. While there are a few bad reviews regarding fit and installation difficulties, I personally had no issues at all. It's been on there now for a couple of years, the Hi-lift is always in it, and I've had no negative results with frequent heavy off road use.
I dont like the hood mounts - one slip of the wrist while installing and you've got a busted windshield or a badly dented hood. And dittos on bob's above post.

 

[AngryRedBird]

JKU87.. there would be and there is a growing concern with bull bars and items which are attached to these bull bars.. case in point two teens were killed because a jeep (with an undisclosed pointy bumper) rammed into their vehicle killing them. On a safety level of 1 - 5 stars, the front bumper mounted Hi lift would be a one star.. The Hood would be next with 2 stars and so forth.. See a trend.. the Hi Lift is safer is moved to the rear of the jeep.

As to the others posted comments.. the only reason we no longer have the Hi Lift, is because carrying a 48'' Hi Lift around then trying to removing the jack off the hood or roof was too strenuous.. As an alternative, we've opted for a floor jack instead which sits nicely into the cubby hole in the cargo area.

Upon several occasions, i've repainted other jeepers jacks, because of weather related fading or usage. In my eyes, they never used their jacks.. and just wanted them to appear new looking, thus the reason they allowed me to repaint them.

 

[bobwohlers]

Now... if you decide to purchase a Hi-Lift Jack, I personally would never mount it inside my vehicle since if you really use it, it will get very dirty, muddy, etc. Also, it's so heavy should you roll (no matter how it's mounted inside your vehicle), it could become lethal. I like the options that mount the jack on the rear bumper; securing it firmly to (basically) the frame, through the frame-mounted aftermarket rear bumper. I personally like the AEV rear bumper and accessory jack (and Pull Pal) mount. See:

IMHO the AEV rear tire carrier and Hi-Lift Jack mounting system is one of the very best on the market (and I've owned many such systems).

 

[AngryRedBird]

Seeing how we are all posting our favorites.. this one would be my preferred method of carrying the Hi Lift, assuming we still have it.

http://www.ruggedridge.com/offroad-jack-mounting-bracket-11586-01.html

 

[codesertrat]

Seeing how we are all posting our favorites.. this one would be my preferred method of carrying the Hi Lift, assuming we still have it.

http://www.ruggedridge.com/offroad-jack-mounting-bracket-11586-01.html

Thats the one I'm running. Much cheaper on Amazon.

 

[HRPINDC]

Just some food for thought, if your Jeep has the stock bumpers you don't have a good lifting point for a Hi-Lift. You could use the Lift-Mate on the wheels, but that gets way too close to the body for my comfort. Unless your after-market bumper has lift points, I would skip the Hi-Lift and get a good bottle jack. I just saw a thread, not sure if it was here, but the guy cut lift-points into his 10A/Hard Rock bumper.

I also agree with many of the posts here. I think the inside of the Jeep would get pretty dirty with the jack inside and there's no way I'm putting it on the hood. I could see the jack killing someone under the right circumstances in both of those locations. The rear bumper seems like the best choice to me.

 

[AngryRedBird]

Correct @HRPINDC That one of the other reasons we got rid of the Hi Lift.. the current 08 jeep wrangler bumpers and body panels are like tinfoil. Now if you had asked me to rotate my tires with the hi lift on the ole 99.. I throw it under the 99's rocker panel lift one side of the jeep off the ground and rotate.. other jeepers cringe when I tell them this.. But I've done it for years.. can't do this with the current JK.. Unless the bumpers are steel and you have sliders etc.

Oh and another good point I'd like to make.. on the 99 I have "red zones" or red arrows about the jeep.. these were used as a mean of quick locations for jack placement. as long as the "red of the hi lift meets red dots/arrows" one is good to go.

 

[JKU87]

IMHO, before you decide to purchase/secure a Hi-Lift Jack, do you really need one? Or, is your purchase based on "everyone else has one." Your stock jack may be perfect (and perhaps safer) in most situations. If you add a lift to your JK, then you do need a way to "reach" the vehicle with your stock jack, so see this: http://www.aev-conversions.com/shop/products/tools-accessories/jk-jack-base

Now, don't get me wrong... I have a Hi-Lift Jack and use it VERY regularly, but not to change a tire or simply "lift" my vehicle. I use it for many things a stock jack cannot do... Backwards winching (my winch is the front), lifting me up off of high-centered rocks when I'm stuck (I lift from my rock rails; if you don't have rock rails IMHO you do not need a Hi-lift Jack), lifting the vehicle when I'm on ice (I then use the Jack Mate to "bite" into the ice rather than the flat plate at the bottom).

All that said... a Hi-Lift Jack is a very dangerous tool. Use it wisely and carefully. Don't fail to practice with it when not under duress and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions exactly.

Thanks for the info, Bob. I didn't even know that AEV base existed and it seems like a nice tool. I definitely want a hi-lift for the extra features you said. Safety when mounting is a big factor on where I decide to eventually place it and I'm leaning on somewhere on the rear of my Jeep. Thanks again.

 

[Comanche Scott]

I mounted the Hi-Lift behind the stinger on the front bumper. Easy to access, and no worries about mud and stuff. Plus am able to use Bolt Lock spare tire locks to keep it locked in place, when hiking away from the Jeep.
While mine is a 60" and looks stupid as heck, I've seen 48" Hi-Lifts mounted basically the same way, and that looked pretty good (kind of an "explorer's rig" look).
In any case, I found it did not make quite an 1/8" difference in ride height up front, and keep that much more weight available to be on the rear carrier.
.
BTW: I bought the 60" figuring it could always be shortened, but not lengthened. My old 48" Hi-Lift ran a bit short on lifted rigs, so figured to give this a try.