Easy high lift mod for more clearance

[Bobby B.]

Don't know why I didn't do this before.

So, I pulled off the roof rack to get the X into the garage for some work.  Then, it wouldn't fit because of the high lift on the rear Shrock bumper.  So I had to take it off.  Not wanting to do that anymore, I decided to cut it down.

Very happy with the results.  Taking three inches off the top (plus a bit off the handle) and flipping the end piece on its side, not only lets it fit in the garage, but it also now clears the rear hatch.  No more bashing the hatch, and I have room to pull the tire in with the hatch open so there's room to get by.

While a chop saw would've been easy, I didn't have one so I used a 4-inch grinder and a cutting wheel.

Oh and another thing.  By drilling through the handle, you can replace the cotter pin (on mine, it fell out occasionally) with a strong bolt/nylock nut.

Note that I only took off three inches.  Never in my life have I ever got close to using that part of the jack, as one, it's too damn hard to jack something that high and two, those things are so unsafe the higher you get.  It's better to jack and fill than try to jack super high.

Easy high lift mod for more clearance

Easy high lift mod for more clearance

[Goldfish]

Nice write up Bobby. I love mods that don't cost $$$$.

[Paul]

You cut off three inches!!! 

I like it, I like it. My jack barely fits under the hatch if I gently press it open. If I'm not careful I'd scrape the paint off the hatch ... and I have a chop saw. 

[Bobby B.]

Inches to spare, dude, inches to spare   

[XterracerX]

Functionality + Practicality = Bobby B. 

[AV Xterra]

Was that the 60" jack?  I have plenty of room, I must have the 48".

[Bobby B.]

48.  The second gens must have more clearance.

I had put some of that plastic door edging stuff on there, and that worked okay, but it still crunched in there once or twice.

[Paul]

Monkey see ... I cut mine too! 

It barely cleared when I pushed the hatch up which was always a pain. I cut off a bit less than 2.5 inches.

Easy high lift mod for more clearance

Easy high lift mod for more clearance

Easy high lift mod for more clearance

[Lightspur]

I was thinkin about cuttin the bottom 1/2 inch to get the next hole lined up with the bolt - lowering it maybe 1+ inches. My 48 with the top plate removed is just rubbing the hatch - 2 off the top might be better!

[Paul]

I was thinkin about cuttin the bottom 1/2 inch to get the next hole lined up with the bolt - lowering it maybe 1+ inches. My 48 with the top plate removed is just rubbing the hatch - 2 off the top might be better!

If you cut the bottom measure three times and cut once to make sure that the bottom rests firmly on the top of the mount. You don't want the pin holding the weight of the truck.