$10 Hi-Lift jack tube mounts.
 

Earlier this week, it occured to me just how easy it would be to make the tube mounts that Hi-Lift sells for their jacks myself for just a few bucks. My hi-lift just takes up space in my already crowded workshop, so I was anxious for a cheap way to get it on the truck. I repeat that this is so simple, I searched briefly to see if it's been done before. I didn't see anything, so here's my mounting solution.

First, here's Hi-lift's product:
That's more than the jack itself (Harbor Freight special), so those were out. Nevertheless, that's the type of mount I wanted.

https://imageshack.us/m/31/2607/1004540k.jpg
The parts list is as follows:
-2 2" exhaust clamps
-2 1/2x2" bolts
-2 1/2" wing nuts
-1/2" ID rubber tubing (they wouldn't sell me less than a foot)

Cut the tubing to properly sized spacers. My thinking is that the rubber will eliminate vibrations. Cut a longer piece than you need, the rubber compresses. Mine ended up being a bit more than 1 1/4":
https://imageshack.us/m/156/1433/1004543.jpg

Cut the heads off the bolts:
https://imageshack.us/m/20/821/1004545s.jpg

Weld the headless bolts to the exhaust clamps. Make sure they're straight and centered:
https://imageshack.us/m/222/6945/1004546q.jpg

And now they're ready to go on the truck! I painted them, but it's not really necessary:
https://imageshack.us/m/31/6169/1004547d.jpg

And finally mounted! Getting these centered just right so the jack just dropped over the studs probably took longer than actually fabbing them up:
https://imageshack.us/m/585/4687/1004548.jpg
https://imageshack.us/m/37/4356/1004549f.jpg

Hope this helps somebody!

Great Idea!

Very nice. I love seeing other's ingenuity.

I know what I will be making soon.

Looks good, that's a real good idea

That's a great idea! I did something similar on an old rig by welding bolts to the roof rack, but this is way better because you can move your mounts if it gets in the way. I'll be making some up this weekend!

Great idea. The bolts welded look susceptible to vibration stress fractures.

Use a bigger welder.

Other than that looks good

:wabbit2:

Nice! I wonder if they make longer u-bolts... for those that don't have a welder...

awesome idea. i will need one once i buy a hi lift jack and some sliders.

Wow, thanks for all the comments! It's always encouraging to have a good idea for a change!

I drove the truck a bit this evening, no vibrations at all from the jack, and I hit some potholes! I think my rubber spacers are working.

Unfortunately, all I have is my little 90A buzz-box, and I didn't even have it turned up all the way. I was told that if you have rainbow discoloration on the back of your weld, then your penetration is good, and I had that.

I'll run the mounts as is, and if they break, it's easy enough to repair or replace them.

Thanks for the feedback, Wabbit. I am still a rookie welder and grateful for any help :welder:!

This is true for the most part. But I only see discoloration on the thin clamps and not on the thick bolts. Not to mention, the welds look somewhat boogery.
At least its not structural.


:dj: