Super Easy Hi Lift Jack Mod

[teotwaki]

This mod is nothing original and is apparently a standard item on the Extreme series of jacks. I happened across a Bill Burke video about the mod and went.... dang!

Hi Lift jack baseplates use a big cotter pin to hold the base on. It can fall out at the wrong times if the halves are not bent back.

All I did was to run a 1/4" drill through the baseplate hole that the cotter pin goes through. I deburred it and lightly filed it to make it smooth. I bought the captive wire pin at Lowes but other hardware stores have them too.

 

[Mel.Specs]

Dang!

.........at Lowes but other hardware stores have them too.

Or in my tool box.

Thanks Jim!

 

[irish_11]

Did this a year or so ago. I just toss the "foot" into my recovery bag. Makes storage of the Hi-Lift on my rig so much easier.

 

[teotwaki]

Did this a year or so ago. I just toss the "foot" into my recovery bag. Makes storage of the Hi-Lift on my rig so much easier.

Exactly! I have also removed the base and dealing with the cotter pin was tedious so this simple change just makes things a little easier.

 

[BigSwede]

Did this a year or so ago. I just toss the "foot" into my recovery bag. Makes storage of the Hi-Lift on my rig so much easier.

Yup, did this last year:

 

[mjmcdowell]

...Jack mod

Did this on my First Hi-Lift 30 yrs. ago and on my present one, Glad to see you post it, that cotter pin....... if it ever came loose on a roof mounted Jack... well you get the picture, good on you!!! mjmcdowell

 

[I Leak Oil]

Use the same pin on the handle also....

 

[teotwaki]

Did this on my First Hi-Lift 30 yrs. ago and on my present one, Glad to see you post it, that cotter pin....... if it ever came loose on a roof mounted Jack... well you get the picture, good on you!!! mjmcdowell

When I saw it I felt like saying "That is SO obvious. Why didn't I think of that?"

So I thought I'd heighten awareness of the mod to the general membership here.

 

[teotwaki]

Use the same pin on the handle also....

cotter pin extermination!

 

[PaintRock]

You couldn't find any stainless lock pins? Kidding, just kidding, thanks for the idea!

 

[teotwaki]

You couldn't find any stainless lock pins? Kidding, just kidding, thanks for the idea!

Ha! Am a bit lazy plus my jack is not a rusty fixture on the outside of the vehicle. Stainless might be cool but is likely to be $$$

 

[steve103]

do the same thing with the handle and you have a nice long bar if the needs there.

 

[teotwaki]

do the same thing with the handle and you have a nice long bar if the needs there.

I've never had a need to take the handle off and the cotter pin would allow that if ever needed. But I might swap the cotter pin out just for looks and maybe get rid of another source of rattling.... LOL

 

[overlander]

I've done both a while back and it sure is handy. I actually use the handle as a cheater pipe quite a lot when working on suspension jobs!

 

[off-roader]

Yup, did this mod many moons ago. Don't recall where I learned of this kind of cotter pin but I very quickly put 2+2 together on it and my HiLift.