Hi-Lift Questions: Accessories, Mounts, Size, Etc....

So, now that I have sliders I'm looking at getting a Hi-Lift. But I have a lot of questions about them.

First off, they sell a Hi-Lift made by a company called Reese at Tractor Supply Co. I can get a 48" there for $60, and a 60" for $80. My only problem with this is reliability and compatibility issued with Hi-Lift brand accessories.


Second, what size do you recommend. Many people are recommending 48" for my size of truck, but I've seen situations where a 48" isn't enough at times...

Also, what accessories would you guys recommend? All I have for recovery gear right now is one 20' strap... I know, I need to invest in some recovery gear... Haha

Lastly, I have no clue where and how to mount one. I was thinking of just mounting it to the bed rails. Any recommendations on a mount?

Thanks in advance for helping out to anybody that does!

 

i see you have a tool box, I have seen people attach two bolts from the interior out to attach the hi lift. use a rubber circle pad between the hilift and box to help with weather conditions and also noise. nuts hold em on good.

 

You could put a backing plate behind your bed rails, then drill three holes for three Quick Fists (10010). They work really well for the Hi Lift.

Sorry, no real good shots of my Quick Fists holding it on to my bed rack

 

Hmm, good idea. I'd really prefer not to, as I don't plan on this being permanent. At some point I will have a bed rack to mount it to. I'd prefer to drill some holes into the bed rails or something versus a tool box that I want to be weather proof.

Another good option, but I'd like it to be lockable if possible. Should have put that in my OP... Haha

 

Look into getting a slider adapter.



I think 48" would probably be fine. I don't think at this stage you'll be on trails that you'd need a 60". The only time I've seen that needed is if your sitting over a giant hole.

Tree saver is also a nice addition. And a high lift cover to protect it from the elements.

 

Hmm, didn't know that made that. Cool!

Well my thought process on the 60" is that I plan to keep this truck and eventually turn it into a dedicated trail rig within the next 5 years. So might as well pay the extra $10-$15 for a 60" Hi-Lift instead, right? Only problem with that is finding somewhere long enough to mount it haha

I'm thinking about getting something like the following:

60" Hi-Lift
Some type of mount (Still trying to figure that out)
Slider adapter
Handle keeper
lift-mate (used to lift from the wheel)
Snatch strap
Recovery strap
Tree saver
Shackle Receiver
Some type of recovery bag
and then an emergency kit like this

 

Demello Bed Bars and Clamps.

 

Cool, but I think I'm going to bolt it up in some way to the bed rails.

 

No problem.

 

We've got one of these too just for added protection from the elements
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/hi-lif...campaign=cse&gclid=CN2e6LHB27gCFSJqMgod7kEAGA

 

Yeah, that too. I'm probably going to get the cover that runs the whole length of the hi-lift since it's only $5-$10 more.

 

When I bought it the cashier was wondering what it was. I told her it's a head cover for my ostrich and she believed me.

 

There are actually golf club driver covers that look exactly the same.

 

My opinion is to get the 60" if you have room. I bought the 48" and have maxed it out a few times. I plan to buy the 60" bar sooner or later and convert mine to the 60". The 48 fits across the front of the bed whereas the 60 won't. Where I have mine now, I can accommodate the longer bar. So it comes down to how you want to mount it. Also, as far as the brand goes, I would just spend the extra couple of dollars on the Hi-lift brand. I bought the extreme model because of the special head that comes with it. Here are a couple of pictures of how I had/have mine mounted.
The only accessories I have with mine are the handle holder, which is great and the neoprene cover, which is junk. I threw my cover away because it was holding moisture and also falling apart. Edit: I also have a homemade base for mine to give it a larger footprint when needed.

Homemade bed bar.



The lock I put on the bed bar. It's a little bitty lock but it would slow someone down when trying to steal it. I don't run the lock on the rack because I use pliers to put the wing nuts on, backed with lock washers, so that they are impossible to take them off with your fingers.



Bed rack

 

Cool. I want a bed rack at some point, but I'm holding off until I have a garage to store it in whenever I need to remove it.

The only reason I was thinking of investing in a cover for it, is because up in Missouri things rust much easier. But now that you've said that, I'm second guessing if it's even worth it.

 

Got mine mounted on the bed rack in same location. I welded bolts on my rack though. Been meaning to go back and drill one of the bolts for a lock.

 

Oh ok. I got ya.

Yea it made it worse. I was warned after I bought it but before I put it on and sure enough, it trapped moisture and made it rust worse. I could see it working fine in very dry, non humid areas but it sucked in the Louisiana humidity. I leave mine out in the elements and just keep a can of deep creep with me. That is another thing to keep in your truck just for the jack. Mine has seized up and I had to work the climbing pins with my fingers which was almost a very stupid idea.

 

Get a 60" Hi-Lift brand hi-lift. You'll find getting the rear-end off the ground can be challenging with the 48".

Check my mounting scheme in my build. Silas did something similar but hung it from the front lip of the bed instead of resting on the bed floor.

 

Okay, so this is everything that I'm planning to get as of right now. Any suggestions? Total is $243 with free shipping.

 

That looks good. You might check out the prices on this site also. That is where I ordered all of my recovery gear from. I don't know if it would be any cheaper ordering through them and getting their brand straps and shackles instead of arb and smittybilt stuff.