Product Review: Hi-Lift Liftmate

[CTENG in KS]

I got a new toy and decided to test it out by checking clearances and making sure my bumpstops are measured correctly.

I would think this would be very useful to have on the trail.  It is kinda fun.

[CTENG in KS]

This thing seems prett decent except you can see in the 1st pic there is a safety bolt that runs through the foot on the jack so it doesn't disconnect from the Liftmate.  I got the jack a bit outta position and bent the bolt already.  It is pretty small diameter and about grade -5.  I am going to drill the hole out to maybe 1/2 inch and replace it with a grade 8 bolt.

[CTENG in KS]

This is what happened to teh bolt:

[Fearofrunner]

I was lookin at this setup the other day and remember you saying it bent that little bolt.  Have you seen the winch package that high lift offers?

[CTENG in KS]

I have not yet seen the hilift winch package.  The issue with the bolt came as a result of the wide tires.  I am running 14.50 boggers on 10 inch rims and that is about the max reach this dohicky has to clip onto the wheel center.  Gwtting it in position took a couple tries and the first time the truck shifted on my and twisted the jack foot inside the dohicky bending the bolt.  A bit more care and a second wheel chock could have prevented this mishap, but, none the less, the bolt is really skimpy for the application.  Not much of a safety guard if it bends under a little pressure like that.

[Fearofrunner]

got ya, i was lookin at high lifts the other day at sportsmans warehouse and it looks like high lift kinda cheapened their jack compared to the old style jack.  How that winch kit works is a good idea though.  If you've ever used that jack as a winch then you know what it's like to run out of jack as soon as all the slack is pulled out of the lines.  I'll see if i can find it on a goggle search.

[Fearofrunner]

The chain that's by the foot of the jack is the "tension chain" when you run out of jack you just hook that onto the chain your pulling, reset the jack, hook the pulling chain back up and you got another full jack of pulling.  Then do it again until you've pull the truck out. 



I thought it was a pretty cool idea. 

http://www.hi-lift.com/products/offroadkit.htm

[*** YELLER ***]

hey I just got that also this weekend  and I thought the same thing about the bolt  now I know it sucks I also got the OFFROAD BASE so the jack wont slide out as easly.

[CTENG in KS]

Yeah, bolt is toast...I have a nice 3/8 grade 8 I found hanging around that will fit...I am gonna drill the hole out and see how long that lasts.

[TurtleTappers91]

hey I just got that also this weekend  and I thought the same thing about the bolt  now I know it sucks I also got the OFFROAD BASE so the jack wont slide out as easly.

x2 on that. everyone should have this gear.