Here's what I made tonight to hold my HiLift










I did circles around my truck trying to think of a place to mount the HiLift, but came up empty handed. I haven't built a front bumper and this is too long to fit inside and still have two passengers in the back. So I mounted it as shown to the 2x4 bumper car bumper that I built a couple years ago.

I used 1.25" square tubing for the H frame that the lift will mount to and made hinges out of 1.5" 1/8 wall square tubing. The smaller tubing fits perfectly inside the larger stuff. The hinge points are 3/8" bolts w/ nylon lock nuts. I found some pins at Home Depot to hold it in the up position which I will eventaully chain to the H frame so they don't get lost.

I plan on welding a few bolts in place with wingnuts to hold the jack on (the picture just shows some bolts and nuts I had lying around).

Total cost: $10 in hardware and leftover material from when I built my rock sliders.

This isn't a permanent solution. When I build my cage, I plan to mount it up top. But for now it should work well and still allows the tailgate to drop.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Very Very Cool, youll have to make me one

Nice job!! If you get worried about those pins backing out try these , wirelock pins. They're awesome. Anyway great job. Paint it up and call it a day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />.

Looks good, did you run some tubing on the inside of the tube for the pins and bolts? You will be surprised how fast the holes will elongate.

Looks Great! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

you mught want to put a small rubber bumper btwn the handle and frame then bungie it, so the rattle doesn't drive you crazy.

I have mine mounted on the roll bar using the seat belt hole and have the foot at the Tail gate. and I bungie the crap out of it and it still rattles. so for the most part I leave it out...........Karl

That's great! I think I'll copy your idea!

Nice license plates! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

You might want to consider a cover for the jack mechanism. When I used to run mine outside, it would get all gummed up inside. If you did not lube it, with rust, if you did lube it, with dirt attracted by the lube. You may also want to consider adding some sort of locking mechanism on the jack. I had one on my old Hi-Lift bumper mount and that foiled one theft attempt. The thief then tried to unbolt the whole bumper but there was one bolt blocked by the jack that prevented them making off with the whole shebang.


I was planning to put my HiLift on my rear bumper, but now that I have it mounted inside, I don't think I will do that:


More info...

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> awesome plates <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

When I first saw that, I wondering how you were going to open the tailgate. Very slick idea! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Looks good.

I would definately use one of those wire clipped pins or something a little more secure. At least at one end or the other.

Thanks for the responses guys! Sorry I haven't been around here in a while to check them.

4xJedi - When I bought the hardware for it, I actually bought both types - the one shown in the pictures above and the one you linked here. I figured I'd return whichever I didn't want. I ended up keeping the kind you suggested! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> The other ones popped out too easily

OOP'S - No I didn't add tubing to reinforce the holes. That is a great idea, but I don't think I'll need it. When the lower hing bolts are tightened, the bracket sorta clamps down into the square tubing. The pins aren't being constantly rubbed against because of the preload. This also keeps it from rattling! It works great.

nmeinc - Maybe it's because it's out back or maybe I'm deaf, but I have NEVER heard it rattle since I've had it mounted back there. I did, however, cut some pieces of pipe insulation foam as isolators between the Hi-Lift handle and frame. That may have helped some.

4Crawler - A cover is a great suggestio, thanks! I did consider interior mounting, but with space already at a premium and considering my truck is usually full of friends when I go offroading, I decided having it out back would free up some space.

ADyingDevotion,Adam F, TALON84X4, and Brian894X4 - Thanks for the kudos!

Initially I wasn't sure how well the swingdown would work, but I've been very happy with it. Some people on Pirate4x4 pointed out that it could be a hassle to deal with when getting in & out of the tailgate. I've found I can remove the clips and swing the carrier down using one hand without a problem and it only takes a couple seconds. The only problem I've had so far is the clip that holds the Hi-Lift handle to its frame has already gotten weak, so sometimes when I lower the carrier, the handle will unclip and hinge down to the ground. That's easy enough to remedy though.

Also, there is some concern with getting the lower hinges hung up on rocks. I did some "testing" at the Hungry Valley rock course that beat the crap out of the bumper and the hi-lift carrier hinges/brackets. They held up great! The rocks ground the corners a little rounder, but all-in-all they held up better than expected.