Hi-Lift Jack Mount for the XJ — Hood, Roof Rack, and Rear Bumper Options
A Hi-Lift rattling loose in your cargo area is a 60-inch steel lever waiting to injure someone — a proper mount costs $35–$89 and turns it into a tool you can actually deploy quickly when you need it.
The Hi-Lift HL-485 (48") and X-TREME (60") are standard equipment on serious XJ trail builds. The question is never whether to carry one — it's where to put it. The three options each make sense in different builds, and the right answer depends on whether you have a roof rack, what your rear bumper looks like, and whether hood clearance is an issue with your lift height.
The hood mount is the most popular choice on XJs without a roof rack. It bolts to the factory hood hinges or to a dedicated bracket that uses existing hood bolts — no drilling required on most designs. The Smittybilt and Garvin units both work this way. The advantage is accessibility: the Hi-Lift is at hood height, reachable without climbing up or digging through cargo. The limitation is that some lift kits — particularly those that raise the front end significantly — can put the hood high enough that the mounted Hi-Lift contacts the windshield frame when the hood is closed. Check clearance before committing; the measurement that matters is from the top of the Hi-Lift (when mounted flat on the hood) to the windshield frame at the hood-closed position.
The roof rack mount works well on XJs with a Gobi, Garvin, or Smittybilt rack already in place. The Hi-Lift lives flat on the rack, out of the way, and a dedicated clamp or slot keeps it from shifting. The downside is access: when you need the jack, you're reaching overhead and unclipping a 18–25 lb tool. That's fine when you're not exhausted and it's not raining sideways. The rear bumper mount (Rugged Ridge and similar) positions the jack vertically on the rear bumper face — straightforward to grab, stays out of the cargo area, and doesn't require a rack. It does require an aftermarket rear bumper with mount provisions, and it puts the jack at risk of rock damage on tight trails.
Steps
- Choose your mounting location based on available hardware (rack, bumper) and accessibility preference.
- Hood mount: Remove the appropriate hood bolts, slide the mount bracket into place, reinstall bolts with the mount captured. Torque to factory spec. Slide the Hi-Lift into the mount and secure the retaining strap or pin.
- Roof rack mount: Thread the Hi-Lift clamp onto a rack crossbar and tighten per manufacturer spec. Position the jack with the lift arm facing outward for fastest deployment.
- Bumper mount: Bolt the mount bracket to the bumper's designated tabs (or drill new holes if the bumper is mount-ready but unpopulated). Secure the Hi-Lift in the vertical position with the retaining hardware included.
- Test the retention before the first trail run: pick the vehicle up slightly at the mount point and confirm the jack doesn't move. A Hi-Lift coming loose at speed or on a rough trail is a serious hazard.
- Note: the Hi-Lift itself (HL-485 48" at $89 or X-TREME 60" at $109) is purchased separately — this file covers the mount only.
Why it works
- Removes a heavy, sharp-edged tool from the cargo area where it can injure occupants in a hard stop or rollover
- All three mount types keep the Hi-Lift accessible without unpacking gear
- Hood and bumper mounts add no real trail damage risk since the jack is protected by the vehicle body
- Fast to install — most hood and bumper mounts are under an hour
Trade-offs
- Hood mounts can conflict with windshield clearance on taller lifts — measure before buying
- Roof rack mounts require an existing rack; a quality XJ rack ($300–$700) is a bigger purchase than the mount
- Exterior-mounted Hi-Lift accumulates trail dust and weather; wipe and lubricate the lifting mechanism after muddy runs
- No mount eliminates the need to actually know how to use a Hi-Lift safely before you need it under load
Tools required
- socket set
- drill (for some hood mounts)
- torque wrench
Parts
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Smittybilt Hood Mount for Hi-Lift Jack (XJ) | Smittybilt | ~$45 |
| Garvin Wilderness Hi-Lift Jack Hood Mount | Garvin Industries | ~$65 |
| Rugged Ridge Rear Bumper Hi-Lift Mount | Rugged Ridge | ~$49 |
| Gobi Roof Rack Hi-Lift Side Mount | Gobi Racks | ~$89 |
| Generic Roof Rack Universal Hi-Lift Carrier | Various | ~$35 |
Sources
- Hi-Lift Jack safety and mounting guide — Hi-Lift Jack Co.
- XJ hood mount installation — ExpeditionPortal forum
Related
- Recovery Gear Starter Kit for the XJ — Kinetic Rope, Shackles, and Boards
- All Jeep Cherokee XJ guides & tools
- Browse the full DIY database
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. How we source guides. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.