Hi-lift questions

I'm posting from my shitty phone so bear with me...

I use my hi-lift a lot, and lately it's been jamming up so much its pretty much unuseable. The company asked me to send some pics, and said it didn't look like it was damaged, just dried out.

Can anyone recommend a good lubricant? I bought some white lithium grease in a spray can, but I was told it would probably attract dirt and make shit worse. Any better suggestions? Or should I go with the white lithium and purchase a cover?

Is there a better finish I can use on the hi-lift? The paint seems to enjoy flaking, peeling, chipping, and I think this may be contributing to the problems. Maybe powder coating?

Also, I realize hi-lifts come in 2 different steels... which is better?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/184596-restoring-hi-lift.html#post3928981

Do this.

 

Chris, doesn't that tend to just dry out?

 

Thanks. Does that paint tend to flak/chip? Do you use any lubricant?

 

I've got a new xtreme Hi Lift and the pins are sticking to the power coat. Its only with a hard push down will it ratchet and lower.

Just be careful of the up stroke after you push/pull down hard on it.

 

It will chip the paint when you drag it on rocks etc. Just like anything else. I used the lubricant that came with the kit. When it needs it I give it a quick shot of PB Blaster.

 

DuPont Teflon/Silicon multi-purpose. You can find the stuff in a spray can at Lo.we's.

A few times a year I clean my hi-lift and soak everything but the handle with the stuff. Still works like butter, and it lives outside, in my truck bed, completely exposed to the elements 24/7/365.25.

The lube also helps to repel water and help it deal with weather better, so regular lubrication helps with that rust problem.

*note: My hi-lift is the Xtreme, which gets some weather help from being powercoated (and what a shitty job of powdercoating it is) and from the moving parts/springs being stainless steel.

 

Mine was laying in the dirt for a long time before I got it, pulled it out, shook it off. Poured motor oil on it and then worked it back and worth. Soaked it with brakecleen. Pressure washed it off. Hit it with some wd-40 or whatever spray lube I have and it works.