Recovery /snatch straps 101...to use Billy's words....

[VX KAT]

So Sue, you got the 3/4" Crosby D's, correct? I believe you are trying to put 2 D-rings up front, is that right? The D-mounts are going to attach to what? I'm thinking that part is still in the concept phase...?

Exactly where I'm at now...Yes, got the 3/4" Crosbys. We're also need to do this on Dave's FJ, so we want to do both.

I just sent ya (and some others) an email (not PM) with several D mount options,...is there something up front to weld them to adequately or not? Does something have to be reinforced up there first?

[ZEUS]

Exactly where I'm at now...Yes, got the 3/4" Crosbys. We're also need to do this on Dave's FJ, so we want to do both.

I just sent ya (and some others) an email (not PM) with several D mount options,...is there something up front to weld them to adequately or not? Does something have to be reinforced up there first?

EXACTLY! That's why I was asking those questions. Here's an idea for the VX (I'd be of no help regarding the FJ - maybe contact Jay Dunford thru the forum.) Tell me if you like this idea or not... the thin and flimsy tube bumper thingy behind the front cladding...

...could be replaced by a decent piece of square tube steel and bolted in its location, I believe. You could then tie in that stock vertical piece in front of it with a little effort. The bumper cladding would need a bit of a trim at the ventilation openings beside the license plate. Then tho the D-mounts could protrude thru those openings and you would otherwise have a stock appearing VX. Thru the process you could also choose to complicate things by incorporating a front hitch mount for a removable winch mount, a hook, a tow ball (which helps maneuvering trailers), and/or a flip-down license plate/front step... let me know if I confused you...

Anyway, I think figuring out what sort of mounting option you will have for the D-mounts should be done before picking out the mounts themselves. If you have to use round tubing then you would want the longer D-mounts, if you use the low-profile mounts you may not have enough room between the cladding and the D-rings. In any case, I would stay away from the 1/2" thick options and only look at the widest ones you can fit into the D-ring... lateral load precaution. I hope this helps you!

[Triathlete]

Or you could just chop the hell out of the front cladding and have a good fab shop/person build a custom bumper incorperating the mounts!

[VX KAT]

Thanks Justin & Billy-

One of my better traits has always been I know what I don't know & know when to ask before I fall off a cliff.......
Thanks for always grabbing me away from the cliff! After I get all the info, I'll give it to my off road shop so they can do it right .

Is that front hook strong enough or should I definitely plan on having at least one D-mount attached up front? I'm not going to do a Frankenbumper, or a Marlinstein or a front receiver....just one or two secure recovery points up front is all I'm after.
What have others done if you don't have a front receiver?

Dub said the back eyelet is only intended as a tie down for transport, so is there something strong enough in the BACK to weld a mount on?

Thanks for any & all input!

[crotchrocket]

as i'm sure you've seen before i use two D shackles on the stock recovery points and attach a bridle between them. It's more than sufficient. I have had a landrover discovery winching me out with another discovery, and a landcruiser as anchors and all 3 were moving along when id wouldn't come free!!!! (had to tie to a tree after that )

When not in use i just take the bridle off and leave the shackles








On the rear, again i just use the stock recovery point with a much larger D shackle

[crotchrocket]

Sue, my fronts are 5/8ths. Check the link i sent you.

[newthings]

A rather long time ago, one of our group built a replacement front cross-member with hitch receiver. I got one and installed it. No pix and I have not used it for adding a winch in a pinch, - (sorry, it just came out) or recovery. I have a hitch insert with clevis which I have used in the rear socket (Tone's). Did anyone else add one of these? Did it work well? It hides behind the license plate.
Roy

[Triathlete]

My front end has been rearranged by a rock or two apparently...they just fit!

[BigSwede]

Here is a decent and affordable tow strap...

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.as...6&partID=12765

[Breezy]

Sue, my fronts are 5/8ths. Check the link i sent you.

How did you guys get 5/8ths shackles on? I bough 1/2" shackles and I can't get to fully go on the front tie points. I got the pin through, but when I started threading it, it got tighter and tighter against the frame and I coudln't finish putting it on. 5 pound hammer or something...?

[VX KAT]

How did you guys get 5/8ths shackles on? I bough 1/2" shackles and I can't get to fully go on the front tie points. I got the pin through, but when I started threading it, it got tighter and tighter against the frame and I coudln't finish putting it on. 5 pound hammer or something...?

It was tight but just kept wiggling it. Didn't use any BFH,...well I tried a few swings but it didn't do anything.

[workmeistr]

Sue, would you happen to know if the right rear "Mount Bracket", part # 89717 88220, has a matching one for the left rear available on RHD models? Why is this part called "Mount Bracket" (was it a strap down point for transport?), and the flimsy part # 89721 15811 got the title of "Tow Hook"? Inquiring minds want to know.

[tom4bren]

Bren,

I think I have the bracket for the Driver Side. It is not the same as for the passenger side (look in the installation instructions I made up for the upgraded hitch & you'll see a pic). This one was removed from Ash's VX when we installed the hitch (lose both sides for that).

It's not a good place to attach the strap because the hole is small and not rounded to accomodate a strap ... but it is a good place to install a shackle ... then you can attach a strap.

Tom

BTW, the strap would be awful close to the tail pipe on DS if you use that as a snatch point. IIRC it's too close to the exhaust to mount a shackle anyways.

[VX KAT]

Sue, would you happen to know if the right rear "Mount Bracket", part # 89717 88220, has a matching one for the left rear available on RHD models? Why is this part called "Mount Bracket" (was it a strap down point for transport?), and the flimsy part # 89721 15811 got the title of "Tow Hook"? Inquiring minds want to know.

Yes, it was a tie down point for when they came over on the boat. It's not a "true" recovery point. IIRC Marlin has some pics of how his got all "rearranged" during a recovery…I think he just bent it back into shape.

I can't ever recall seeing one for the left side, so I'm curious what Tom is referring to.

[workmeistr]

Hi ya' Tom!

Yeah, I have that flimsy bracket/"Tow Hook" from the driver's (L) side. The reason I asked: the beefier "Mount Bracket" on the right side bolts up with two bolts and a "J" hook into a frame hole; those same bolt/frame holes also exist on the left side, making me wonder if there was a similar part (maybe for whatever reason, on RHD models) for the driver's/Left side? You're right, though, snatching from that side might be detrimental to exhaust.

That Left "Tow Hook" isn't engineered to be a tow point; maybe it served a purpose of tiedown point for transport?

Great job on the hitch. I recently installed my Tone-style, notching my gas tank skid in order to get the L bracket of the hitch tight under the rear frame crossmember.

Take care, Bren.