full cover for Hi-lift

[wierdbeard]

I've been looking for a full cover for my 60" Hi-lift, does anyone make one?

I've seen the vinyl one that hi-lift makes but I don't think that will last all that long, currently i have the neoprene cover over the mechanical portion but with all the moisture and salt in the air I'm already seeing rust after 3 weeks mounted.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Let that neoprene dry out, cover the jack back up and strap the hi-lift to the floor in your cargo area.

 

[AustinCruiser]

I have the vinyl one made by hi-lift - it already has a hole in it where the jack meets the floor of the truck. If I could, I'd just sew one out of cordura or a similar tough material.

 

[CruiserStuff]

I bought the JackGuard.....injection molded plastic case.

Here's a thread that shows pics of it if you're interested: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/390304-hi-lift-rack-mount-there-must-better-way.html

I paid for the case, it came in a reasonable time and that was that. Then, several weeks later, I got an email that I had been refunded my money "because the company never shipped the item." Sure enough, I had a credit for the full amount in my account. I called and emailed the company, but they never did anything about it......weird.

 

[wierdbeard]

well, i'd like to keep in inside but it wont work with what i have already in the works for the interior. I think i may have to go ahead and make a pattern for a cordura carrying case. I think i have a line on a shop that can make it for me.

stay tuned.

 

[Jrob80]

I bought the JackGuard.....injection molded plastic case.

Here's a thread that shows pics of it if you're interested: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/390304-hi-lift-rack-mount-there-must-better-way.html

Can you mount the hi lift and plastic case on a rear bumper/tire carrier?

 

[woody]

Unfortunately, ANY case will do little more than trap anything that does get in there and contain moisture/dirt even longer. Any time you use it, you will remove paint and rust will eventually begin.

I purchased the HiLift on my FJ40 around 1990, and other than some basic maintenance, it works great. It's survived 20+ Wisconsin winters. It's so old, the 'running gear' isn't cast or stamped like the current models, it's actually welded pieces.

Question is, what are you thinking a case/cover is going to protect it from?

 

[CruiserStuff]

Can you mount the hi lift and plastic case on a rear bumper/tire carrier?

They sell stainless steel mounting brackets. Of course, it would depend on what setup you have for a bumper/carrier, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Woody has a great point.....if water does get into the case, the jack will still rust. I spray mine down with WD40 before it goes in and I wrap the ends with black electrical tape where water could get in. It stays nice, dry and rust free. Overkill? Probably....but with my luck (and with Murphy's Law riding shotgun where ever I go), when I really need the jack it would be rusted solid and unoperable.

 

[inthewall]

I just hose it down with PB blaster and rebuild it every couple of years.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i've got a down right scary looking hilift that recently worked almost flawlessly with a little ibt of 90 weight poured over it and 3lb motivation. you won't stop rust, just learn to work with it.

 

[80t0ylc]

Can you keep it inside if you disassemble it? Two pins and you can take it apart and put it back together in a minute, tops. It's protected inside from dirt, weather & thieves. At least store the handle, base & running gear inside and the bar on your bumper. Food for thought anyway. My cover hasn't been used since doing this, except as padding to keep the parts from rattling.

 

[bigblockford545]

Hi lift jack bag 63" X 5 X 12"

Simon

 

[woody]

Hi lift jack bag 63" X 5 X 12"

Simon

good find by the new guy

 

[helocat]

I just hose it down with PB blaster and rebuild it every couple of years.

x2 with out the need for a rebuild. Just lots of oil.

 

[bigblockford545]

good find by the new guy

I have my moments... and a new 60 inch hi-lift that needs covering


Simon

 

[Southeast Overland]

Hi-Lifts will work for a very very long time with a small amount of maintenance.

X a billion on putting a cover over anything metal and not removing the cover regularly to clean. The cover, unless waterproof, will trap moisture and at times accelerate corrosion.

I have my Hi-Lift either on my Pig's rear bumper or on the front hoop of my Demello FJ Cruiser. Both are completely open to the elements and have been for four years. I've used my Hi-Lift several dozen times in that period and about once every few months I squirt a bit of lube on the moving parts.

You can purchase rebuild kits for Hi-Lifts (which I should have in stock in Feb along with Hi-Lifts) but you really, and I mean really, have to use the snot out of your Hi-Lift to wear it out.

Also, if you put your Hi-Lift in your vehicle please have it secured properly. I was involved in a rollover recovery a month or so ago where one was not and it removed itself from the vehicle via a side window. Luckily it didn't remove itself from the vehicle via the windshield and the driver's head. The driver was lucky.

 

[CruiserStuff]

X a billion on a safe mounting point for these heavy objects....they make one heckuva projectile!

 

[80t0ylc]

................Also, if you put your Hi-Lift in your vehicle please have it secured properly. I was involved in a rollover recovery a month or so ago where one was not and it removed itself from the vehicle via a side window. Luckily it didn't remove itself from the vehicle via the windshield and the driver's head. The driver was lucky.

Good point!

However, if you think about it, any loose heavy object that's not tied down becomes a projectile in an accident. So common sense would tell you to install a heavy duty pet screen for keeping the luggage and items carried in the rear, in the rear, if an accident happened. Although, those that use the third row seats have more of a challenge keeping the kids and the stuff tied down. Maybe it would work to put the kids and luggage in, then fill the back with styrofoam peanuts. Probably keep the noise down, too.

 

[wierdbeard]

yeah, disassembly isn't really what i'm looking to do, its mounted to a hanna rear bumper. I coated the mechanical portion with lithium grease so thats still looking good, I just don't like everything rusting as it sits.

I started on a pattern for a case, waterproof ballistic nylon with molle attachments. Once i finish it i'll see how much it costs to make.

The australian bag is cool but I'm not dating the aussie girl anymore so shipping would be a pain.

 

[73fj40lc]

I have mine mounted on the rear bumper of my 40 exposed to the elements. I do spray lube on it every so often as previously stated. I have had no problems with mine but have a hi-lift rebuild kit stored in the 40 as a just in case measure. I just don't see the need for a case. As previously stated you had better make sure that any case is fully waterproof. If the case is not waterproof you have just made a prime habitat for rust. When the jack gets used I would rather have it outside so it can dry out while driving. Putting a wet or mud crusted jack even in a waterproof case is still going to cause major rust. How many people are going to clean, dry, lubricate, and then store a hi-lift in a case everytime they use it? If you do you don't use it very often. Save the money that you would spend on a case and buy a re-build kit and brackets to mount outside of the vehicle.