4XRAC Hi-Lift Jack Mount Install and Review

Universal 4XRAC Mounting Bracket for Any Hi-Lift Jack – Hi-Lift Jack Bracket & Mount Install and overview on a mesh roof rack

When you are off exploring and four-wheeling, you will eventually get stuck or see someone get stuck. For me, getting stuck is part of the adventure and is something to be embraced as each time is an opportunity to learn something new.

Thankfully, there are a handful of recovery tools, gear, and accessories that will help you get unstuck when the moment arrises. One of the most common off-road recovery tools is the Hi-Lift Jack. There are also other common off-road jacks like the Pro Eagle Jack but that one may be more difficult to mount depending on your setup.

The Hi-Lift Jack might be one of your most important pieces of gear if you don’t have a winch. If you do have a winch, adding a Hi-Lift Jack will only make your capabilities more powerful.

There are quite a few options for mounting your Hi-Lift Jack on the 4Runner or any platform for that matter. The most notable locations would be your roof rack, front or rear bumper, and even your hood.

Hi-Lift Jack Mounting Points

There are features and benefits between all mounting points.

1. Hood
2. Bumper
3. Roof Rack

Which option is best for you? 

1. Hi-Lift Mount on Hood

Commonly found on Jeeps, there are many hood-mounts manufacturers out there. But, there are very few, if any, companies that make 4Runner Hi-Lift Jack mounts for the hood.

I am personally not a fan of mounting a Hi-Lift Jack on the 4Runners hood. We have a pretty light-weight hood which would put un-needed weight on the hydraulics. It also seems like a recipe for dent and scratch disaster waiting to happen, Hi-Lift Jacks are pretty heavy.

Finally, I personally wouldn’t want to put a dirty Hi-Lift back on my hood after use, covered in mud and rocks.

This style of mount remains pretty popular among Jeep owners, but it sounds pretty sketch for our daily driver. It may work for me one day, just not on our current 4Runner.

2. Hi-Lift Mount on Front/Rear Bumper

Either front or rear bumpers are suitable choices for the 4Runner with the rear bumper being the most common. Many bumper fabrication companies build Hi-Lift Jack mounts into their design which makes mounting pretty damn simple.

A rear bumper Hi-Lift mount may be safer than a front bumper Hi-Lift mount in the case of an accident. This may sound extreme but a Hi-Lift coming off its mount and shooting through your front windshield doesn’t sound fun. This is not likely to happen on most bumpers because the mounts sit so low. But for others with mounts above their hood (say on high hoop bars), its a possibility and something to consider.

The 4XRAC Hi-Lift Jack Mount was actually designed with Jeep owners lower front bumpers, but will really work on any flat surface.

Note: If you are mounting the 4XRAC Hi-Lift Jack mount on a front or rear bumpers on any platform with an airbag system, see dealer before removing or drilling.

3. Hi-Lift Mount on Roof Rack

Roof Racks and the Hi-Lift can go together quite well depending on your needs.

If you adventure often and have plans of installing a rooftop tent, then mounting a Hi-Lift directly on top may be out of the question. Thankfully, many mainstream rack companies like Gobi and Frontrunner make side-mounted options.

Four our custom roof rack by Stellar Built, we decided to go with the 4XRAC Hi-Lift Jack Mount for the moment.

We may later change directions and go with an RTT which would remove this mounting bracket. For now, without a rooftop tent, this is a good option for our needs.

4XRAC Hi-Lift Jack Mount Installation

Installing this mounting bracket on a mesh style roof rack was pretty simple. This install is going to be similar if you have a Gobi Rack, Baja Rack, the ARB flat alloy rack, or any other mesh-style roof rack on your 4Runner. It should also give you a general idea of how the 4XRAC mount works.

4XRAC kit Parts: 

• The 4XRAC kit: Check Today’s Price
• Optional Lock: Check Price
• 2 X Mounting Brackets
• 2 X Mounting Bracket Caps
• 2 X 1/2-13 Wing Nut
• 2 X 1/2″ Carriage Bolts
• 2 X 1/2 Jam Nuts
• 2 X 5/8″ Lock Washers
• 8 X 1/4-20 X 1″ Hex Head Cap Screws
• 8 X 1/4-20 X Nylon Insert Locknuts
• 1 x Velcro Strap
• NOT IN KIT: 8 X Washers 1/4-20 ID and 1.5″ OD

Suggested Tools:

• Drill
• Sockets
• 7/16″ Wrench
• 3/4″ Wrench

Position first 4XRAC Bracket

Position second 4XRAC Bracket

You want to make sure that the holes in your Hi-Lift match up with the 4XRAC bracket bolts. Start by getting an idea of where you want the Jack to sit, then adjust the brackets depending on your layout.

Loosely tighten down the 8 X 1/4-20 X 1″ screws with washers (I had some extra washers laying around) until you find the right spot. Then, loosely tighten one end of the Hi-Lift down on the bracket (pictured).

Once you find a spot that works for the second bracket, loosely tighten both brackets in place.

Remove Hi-Lift and then tighten down remaining screws.

Carriage Bolt, Washer, and Lock Nut

Once you have both brackets in place, you can assemble the hardware.

Insert the 1/2″ bolt from the bottom up through the bracket. It may be a good idea to set jack back in place to ensure correct fitment.

Place 5/8″ lock washer over carriage bolt & tighten 1/2″ jam nut.

Mount the Hi-Lift Jack

Mount the Hi-Lift Jack on top of the 4XRAC brackets.

Mounting Caps on top

Slide the mounting caps over the carriage bolts and on top of the Hi-Lift.

Thread on Wing Nuts & Lock Down

Thread down the wingnut securely into place.

Optional Lock on Carriage Bolts

Add a provided lock if you would like. Both carriage bolts have holes through them so you can lock both sides but one lock should suffice.

Provided Velcro Strap

Hi-Lift provides a velcro strap with the 4XRAC mounting kit. This is to keep the handle up tight against the steel upright. If you want to use their strap, you can but it’s not going to work as well as their signature Hi-Lift Jack Handle Keeper.

There are quite a few options here, though.

• Hi-Lift Jack Signature Handle Keeper
• Agency 6 Jack Handle Keeper for Hi-Lift Jacks
• Prothane 19-1404 Red Jack Grabber (pictured)

General thoughts?

• Affordable – Check Today’s Price
• Extremely universal
• Easy mount to install
• Lightweight which helps offset the heavy Hi-Lift
• Lots of documentation in forums
• Quick removal – remove wingnuts and Hi-Lift comes off
• Heavy-duty, 1/8 inch steel
• Hole in the bolt for a dual security lock
• Slotted brackets for adjustments

If you get creative, you can probably build your own bracket but this is a nice packaged kit, ready to go out of the box.