Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for installing a hi-lift and/or shovel on my hood? I've seen lots of products - lookin for some real-world pics and reviews. Thanks!

 

I like it, though I've switched things around since writing this up. I now carry the axe and shovel instead of the Hi-Lift. Hi-Lift is pretty heavy for manhandling off of the hood--once I got a new bumper I moved it back there ...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...d-mount-41906/

 

Good idea -- just the shovel/axe on the hood.
I enjoy looking at this Jeep each time I see it. Very purpose oriented and with character.
There are things I'd do differently, such as the exposed round lights on the light bar.
I drive on narrow woody trails, so such lights would get knocked by branches, but, IMO, the Jeep looks better with your lights.

 

This is great! Can you tell me how you modified the mount to carry the axe and shovel (maybe some close up pics)? Are they locked to the mount? Also, what brand and/or size of shovel and axe do you have?

I love your Jeep...

 

The hardware to mount an axe and shovel comes with the Tough Stuff Hi-Lift hood mount. You just set it aside until you need it (I show pictures of that in the write-up linked above). The shovel is a Craftsman. The axe is some cheap Taiwanese-made thing from Lowe's. It was the only red-handled axe I could find. Someday I'd like to buy a nice axe and paint the handle red. But Canon just released that new 7D Mark II and the new 100-400 lens and who the heck can afford a new, quality axe when I already have three laying cheapies around the home? ;-)

 

I do take some branch hits on those lights, but you're right, they do get knocked about on occasion. Of course, a lot of folks overlook the purpose for high-mounted lights: River fording at night when the rest of your lights would be underwater (and should be off and cooled down lest you crack a lens).

 

Indeed, water fording at night is at the top of the list of the benefits of high-mounted lights.

Being above eye-level, they also illuminate where other lights which are below eye-level cast shadows -- where the only water is inside the Jeep, on a moonless night in a desert.

 

One option for a hood mount is to make your own.
Mine is made from some scrap aluminium u channel and stainless fasteners.

 

I imagine the fact that they're exposed to rain/snow/etc causes a bit of premature wear? Rust, etc? Do Home Depot/Lowes/etc generally have shovels and axes that would fit (what are they - 3' long or so?)

Thanks!

 

What! Up to 25k expandable ISO, built in GPS, and 46 more focus points? Jeep or Camera... ugh. I love my 7D, are you getting the Mark II?