Hi Everyone,

First off, I like to say that I have the Expedition One Trail series bumper with SMTC and love it but I cannot say the same for their Hi Lift Jack mount for this bumper. In my opinion, I dont think that their metal is sturdy enough. The mount had already bent when installed and their powder coat started to flake off. The problem with the mount is in their mounting bolts for the jack. They have two bolts, one is fixed while the others is adjustable with an opening. The problem is that the adjustable bolt has an opening that is about is 1.5-2in long. Once you start tighten the bolt down to your to hi lift jack, the bolt seem to protrude thru the opening causing the sheet metal to bend and crack/flaking off the powercoat. To me, this is not cause by overtightened the bolt because their is no resistent that indicate the bolt is tightened. Even my 7yr old daughter can get the sheet metal to bend. I just dont think that their sheet metal is strong enough with an opening that big. From the pics, you could see where it bend and the powercoating starting to flake off. Now had it have two fixed bolts, then you wouldnt have this problem The other end had a fixed bolt and there were some resistant when tightened indicating to stop and did not bend. I have called Exp 1 about the mount and they blame me that I overtightened it. I didnt. The fixed bolt didnt bend. It just their metal is not strong enough for the opening. They did offer me another one at 30% discount but why would I want another one if the same thing is going to happen. If someone is considering this mount, I suggest look for something else because its not sturdy. The mount does hold the jack but now I have to deal with future rust and the bolt wallowing out from vibration.

 

x2 with a difference. For sure their Hi-Lift metal bracket is definately too thin gauge, ours cracked from the constant driving vibration and swinging movement of the heavy Hi-Lift suspended in the air. A 2-inch crack developed in the sheet metal below the stud holes. I'll take a photo.

My plan was to weld a 3"x3" metal plate over the crack, haven't got round to doing so yet. I didn't contact Exp One because I'm super happy with their rear bumper -- had it for ~5yrs now, is built tough, repeated street collisions and off-road abuse, heavy-duty paint finish and no rust.

'A+' for the bumper ; 'D' for the hi-lift bracket.

 

How thick is it exactly? Anything worth using for a mount shouldn't be less than 1/8" IMO. Even small things like this.

 

I'm not a the Jeep so cannot answer "exactly". It's at least 3/16 if not 1/4" thick plate --- it comes powdercoated, so I cannot see the actual steel. It can't be quality steel if Sonny compressed it by tightening the bolts. My issue was the constant swinging action of a heavy suspended Hi-Lift -- thicker steel needed.

 

Their bumpers are made with 3/16 steel so it's definitely a bit thinner than that. Plus the opening compromised the strength of the steel. I agree, it should have been made with thicker steel for the mount.

 

It looks like 1/8" thick steel which is a reasonable thickness and to me it looks like it was overtightened.

 

Hmm I haven't had any issues with mine, year old, but then again I only fly my high lift when I go wheelin....