Modifying a HF Trailer Tongue Jack

[AldeanFan]

Has anyone modified a harbour freight trailer jack?

I picked up a jack yesterday, knowing it might not work the way I wanted I to.

I need to shorten it because it won’t lower far enough to hitch on to my car, and I want to cut the bracket off, turn it and weld it on the other side so the handle is on the front instead of the side.

Anyone done anything like this?
Also, how can I tell if this is galvanized or just silver paint before I weld on it?

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[bad_idea]

Grind the coating off. You'll be able to tell the difference when grinding. Galvanized does not like to come off. If it is galvanized, just weld it outside or in the garage with a fan blowing from behind you across the weld area, out an open door. Not a big deal with adequate ventilation.

 

[The Cobbler]

it's probably not galvanized but some sort of electro plate and I found it welds fine. It's almost like a tin plating on them.
the jacks do come apart , just be careful to document how it came apart.
remove the plastic cap on top
there will be a set of gears that you see.
the gear that's on the crank is held in with a roll pin, drive that out , look for any washers, pacers etc before hand .
pull the handle out of the gear, remove any bushings etc
the gear on the top of the screw is resting over another pin , pull it out, pull the pin out of the screw. be careful here as now the inside tube will fall out .
remove the flat piece that stabilizes the threaded rod, it slips out on one side
remove the inside tube from the outer tube.
there will be a "nut" dimpled into the inner tube, you need to get that out so you can shorten the screw.
cut off all of the pcs same amount, drill holes in the inner tub so you can weld in a few pins to hold the nut in place

or

just cut the wheels off and use a jack plate , you gain 5 or 6inches easily that way.

If you're not sure on any of my steps ask & I'll try to explain

 

[The Cobbler]

also the jack screw is crimped at the end so you can't screw it all the way out of the nut if you jack too high. if you cut the screw I would suggest damaging the thread (weld etc) so you can't after your mod .

 

[AldeanFan]

Thanks, that’s exactly the information I needed


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[The Cobbler]

forgot to add that under the flat pc that stabilizes the threaded rod there is a thrust washer, and it's probably several pcs. pay attention to the way they are stacked together

 

[BD1]

Add a piece of 4" channel or wider to trailer tongue and elevate Jack. Then use as is. Or cut mounting plate off and raise up.

 

[AldeanFan]

The ramps and tongue box are in my way and it’s a low trailer so I need a jack that is short when wound all the way up, and is short when swiveled to the travel position.

This trailer is a continual work in progress


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