Well My stock jack broke repairing my In Laws Buggy in the Dez about a year ago and no jack sucked. I just ran a flat back to camp or borrowed one. FYI- A little sand and a stock jack is not a good thing. So basically I had sitting in my garage 1 used Aluminum jack (I got a new 3 ton Alu. Jack to use now), Some scrap metal, Plenty of bolts and washers. What I had to buy was 1 (compression)spring for the handle mount and 3 small springs (stretch type) That all added up to about $5.
What I did was Cut out a plate of scrap aluminum I had and I removed the wheels from the jack. I used L brackets and a long bolt in the front and then bolted the L brackets to the aluminum with Torx bolts so the bottom had rounded heads sticking through (so it would slide on the ground easily). I then cut short pieces of tubing and used 2 more torx bolts for the back and bolted the jack to the aluminum. I also bent the front and back lip of the aluminum.
I then cut some square tubing I had and welded that to the frame of my truck so that the 2 right side corners of the skid would slide into and lock in place. I then welded a tab to a pice of square tubing I had between the frame and built a "T" handle out of a 1/2 inch bolt and some small tubing I had. There is also a rubber body mount siliconed to help snug it down and stop any rattles. Now the jack is mounted. I used the 3 stretch type springs on the jack. I drilled small holes in the handle part to keep it from moving when off roading. I used 1 to keep the actual lift arm (the one that lifts the truck) down when off roading (this one is removable for when in use) the 3rd I used to double the spring on the bottom to help lower the arm faster.
Next was the handle. I cut some tubing (2 pieces) one about 4-5 inches ;long and 1 about 2. I welded washers on one end of each tube and ground/cut an angle on the other end. I then welded a washer and the bolt to the compression style spring. I placed that inside the longer tube and stuck the bolt (that is welded to the washer that is welded to the spring) through the hole in the washer I welded on the tube and put a nut on it. Next I welded some square tubing to the tube and welded that to the frame of my truck. I then measured a correct distance and welded the other shorter piece to the other side of the frame with some square tubing. You place one end of the handle into the side with the spring, compress it then snap the other end of the handle into the other piece on the opposite side of the frame (which has another rubber body mount inside to stop rattles) and it locks in place using the spring tension.
Let me know what you think. If you can see anything that can be improved let me know. this was my first time doing this and did not want to buy the expensive mounts or skids (Twins turning 1yr old on the 12th)
Oh Yeah I plan to cut the aluminum skid down a little more and give it a Notch where you can grab the handle without hitting the skid as well.
__________________ '05 Tundra DC TRD 2 WHL: The TOW truck, Spectra Mica Blue, with Kenwood H/U, Kenwood Amp and crossover. Infinity 6010cs, 10" Rockford SUB, 6 disc CD Changer mounted in Center console, SWI-X to retain steering wheel controls, 7" TV with DVD. Tinted Windows, Three chamber Flowmaster, Painted front chrome strip
1994 Toy: The TOY Standard cab, Long travel front pulling13" w/Double fox w/Res, Deaver rear at 18" w/Single 2.5 18" fox w/Res., full glass, Bumper to Bumper cage, Gusseted frame, PRP seats, Crow harnesses, Custom steering(All Heims & Chromoly), Grant steering wheel, Smoothest ride around. OH by the way only 70,000 miles.
Had a chance to test it all out this weekend when we went "Off roading". Being the only 2wd out there amongst all the 4wd and rocks and hills I had to hit the hills and rocks with a little more speed which blew out my tire. All worked great and fast.
__________________ '05 Tundra DC TRD 2 WHL: The TOW truck, Spectra Mica Blue, with Kenwood H/U, Kenwood Amp and crossover. Infinity 6010cs, 10" Rockford SUB, 6 disc CD Changer mounted in Center console, SWI-X to retain steering wheel controls, 7" TV with DVD. Tinted Windows, Three chamber Flowmaster, Painted front chrome strip
1994 Toy: The TOY Standard cab, Long travel front pulling13" w/Double fox w/Res, Deaver rear at 18" w/Single 2.5 18" fox w/Res., full glass, Bumper to Bumper cage, Gusseted frame, PRP seats, Crow harnesses, Custom steering(All Heims & Chromoly), Grant steering wheel, Smoothest ride around. OH by the way only 70,000 miles.
Diggin' it. How much does that aluminum jack weigh?
I can Lift it in and out of the spot with 1 arm and I am not a big guy. The web site says it weighs 24.2 lbs. I took off the front and rear wheels which weiged a good amount but added the skid and some more metal so I would say it is around 26ish now. I would weigh it for you but I parked it out in the rain to "Wash" all the mud off for me
__________________ '05 Tundra DC TRD 2 WHL: The TOW truck, Spectra Mica Blue, with Kenwood H/U, Kenwood Amp and crossover. Infinity 6010cs, 10" Rockford SUB, 6 disc CD Changer mounted in Center console, SWI-X to retain steering wheel controls, 7" TV with DVD. Tinted Windows, Three chamber Flowmaster, Painted front chrome strip
1994 Toy: The TOY Standard cab, Long travel front pulling13" w/Double fox w/Res, Deaver rear at 18" w/Single 2.5 18" fox w/Res., full glass, Bumper to Bumper cage, Gusseted frame, PRP seats, Crow harnesses, Custom steering(All Heims & Chromoly), Grant steering wheel, Smoothest ride around. OH by the way only 70,000 miles.
New Jack Mounted for the Desert Truck
'05 Tundra DC TRD 2 WHL: The TOW truck, Spectra Mica Blue, with Kenwood H/U, Kenwood Amp and crossover. Infinity 6010cs, 10" Rockford SUB, 6 disc CD Changer mounted in Center console, SWI-X to retain steering wheel controls, 7" TV with DVD. Tinted Windows, Three chamber Flowmaster, Painted front chrome strip 
1994 Toy: 
Linear Mode
