How to take up line slack for hi-lift hand winching?

I can think of a few scenarios where you might want to use the hi-lift to winch your vehicle sideways a little bit or to stabilize the vehicle during a tricky recovery, so here's my question:

If you are using a long synthetic winch line extension with a hi-lift to hand winch, how do you take up all the slack? Is there some kind of boat cleat-type of attachment you can put on the hi-lift to secure the line at exactly the length you need?

 

Get creative with some D rings and start doubling line up. I have the winching kit for the hi lift and i used it once in 13yrs. Winching with a hi lift SUCKS, and is an absolute last resort, like you will die in the woods if you don't get the truck out last resort. HOWEVER that kit comes with me everywhere because you never know...