- Thread starter
- #1
Wanted to share my progress with trying to mount a hi-lift jack using TOR tail gate reinforcement. I initially wanted to purchase the RTR tailgate reinforcement, but preferred the turn-offroad's reinforcement. Only thing missing from their solution was a similar hi-lift jack mount, which I really liked (mounting horizontally)
So my quest to make a mount with TOR tailgate began. I had no use for their 3rd brake light mounts, as I opted for a spare wheel light instead, I started to figure out ways to use these mounts. First I wanted to use carriage bolts so I had to drill/cut some square holes, second I needed to measure the jack to ensure the bolts aligned. Here is what I ended up with, (feel free to make fun of my cutting abilities)
After this, it became a matter of making sure the jack cleared the body and wheel, which took longer than expected due to having to undo everything each time, but at the end it came out easier overall. This is the carriage bolts locked down (the need to cut the square in the third brake light mounts). Also, in order to make this clear the tail gate and the wheel, you will notice the brackets are mounted backwards (the weld nuts on the inside). I found that this gave me the best clearance between the wheel and the body, while letting the jack rest on the mounts.
You might be thinking, well if the wing nuts are towards the wheel, how am I going to reach them with the spare on. This is why im calling this work-in-progress, because yes, in order to get the jack, I will have to remove the spare. My plan is to reverse the carriage bolts and wing nuts, but I need some type of square washer with a square hole, which im still looking for or perhaps try to make them. Another option is to use a larger carriage bolt that fits in the jack holes and prevents spinning. Either way, this is my progress, here are some more pictures, and let me know what ya'll think
Other things to note
- I removed the jack base as it was too close to the body and simply closing the tail-gate would risk it hitting
- The jack rattles like a bitch when closing the tail-gate (not unexpected)
- I adjusted the wheel holder so that the wheel rests ever so slightly against the jack (attempt to remove rattles)
- The jack I have is 42inch
- I attempted a different orientation with the wing nuts towards the body, but the full weight of the jack was on the carriage bolts and didn't feel as secure
So my quest to make a mount with TOR tailgate began. I had no use for their 3rd brake light mounts, as I opted for a spare wheel light instead, I started to figure out ways to use these mounts. First I wanted to use carriage bolts so I had to drill/cut some square holes, second I needed to measure the jack to ensure the bolts aligned. Here is what I ended up with, (feel free to make fun of my cutting abilities)
After this, it became a matter of making sure the jack cleared the body and wheel, which took longer than expected due to having to undo everything each time, but at the end it came out easier overall. This is the carriage bolts locked down (the need to cut the square in the third brake light mounts). Also, in order to make this clear the tail gate and the wheel, you will notice the brackets are mounted backwards (the weld nuts on the inside). I found that this gave me the best clearance between the wheel and the body, while letting the jack rest on the mounts.
You might be thinking, well if the wing nuts are towards the wheel, how am I going to reach them with the spare on. This is why im calling this work-in-progress, because yes, in order to get the jack, I will have to remove the spare. My plan is to reverse the carriage bolts and wing nuts, but I need some type of square washer with a square hole, which im still looking for or perhaps try to make them. Another option is to use a larger carriage bolt that fits in the jack holes and prevents spinning. Either way, this is my progress, here are some more pictures, and let me know what ya'll think
Other things to note
- I removed the jack base as it was too close to the body and simply closing the tail-gate would risk it hitting
- The jack rattles like a bitch when closing the tail-gate (not unexpected)
- I adjusted the wheel holder so that the wheel rests ever so slightly against the jack (attempt to remove rattles)
- The jack I have is 42inch
- I attempted a different orientation with the wing nuts towards the body, but the full weight of the jack was on the carriage bolts and didn't feel as secure
Sponsored
