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Tow hooks/recovery points

AKCowboy

AKCowboy

Basic User
City
Palmer
State
AK
My 85 CJ-8 does not have any tow hooks or a reciever hitch. I want to put tow hooks on the front and rear. It looks like the only place on the front is just behind the stock bumper and on top of the frame rail. I know that the frame steel is not thick enough, so I was going to have a 1/4 inch plate welded on top of the frame then bolt the hook to it. Will that be strong enough?
For the rear: The only place I could see would be on the underside of the frame rail. I would have another 1/4 plate welded on the bottom of the frame then bolt the hook to it.

Will these be strong enough?
Are there any alternatives that don't need as much welding because I am going to have it welded by a pro (I don't trust my welding) and money is a issue.
Someday I am going to put heavy duty bumpers on it, but for now I need a low buck, but strong, fix.

Thanks
 
I am going to do something similar to that on the rear.
What about the front? If possible I would like to spend under 50-100 bucks. But I want a study point to pull from.
 
I made the same Dring brackets for the front. Bolted angle iron to the frame that L'd behind the stock front bumper for reinforcement, drilled holes, and popped the brackets on. Bolt goes through bracket, through bumper, and though angle iron.

Top picture in my post from above is of my front bumper (fog light shows up in pic). Stock front bumper is there, but behind the stock bumper is 1/4" angle iron bolted to the inside and outside of the frame
 
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well, you gotta weld the dring tab to the base plate when you make the brackets., but all the rest is drilling holes and using bolts. I used grade 8 all the way around for peace of mind.
 
If you need just tow hooks up front, I used YJ hooks with large thick washers under the frame rails. I'm not worried about ripping them off. Pulled from several times with no issues. Yeah yeah, I know the're chrome...It went on a Laredo package. I had to drill the rear holes.

ztowhooks-1.jpg

YJTowHookinstall1-1.jpg
 
snapped one of those hooks off. Granted I was snatching on it, but figured the rings would be a little stronger. Had the hooks for a long time before I broke one though....
 
Which one broke, front or rear? Where did it break at? Any pics? Thanks.
I need something bulletproof because I am going to be wheeling my rig stock for a while and I have heard horror stories about flying tow hooks...
 
I to used YJ hooks, had to drill and used grade 8 bolts, washers, and nuts. Your frame cover really dresses the area up also, looks nice.

OnlyinaJeepCJ said:
If you need just tow hooks up front, I used YJ hooks with large thick washers under the frame rails. I'm not worried about ripping them off. Pulled from several times with no issues. Yeah yeah, I know the're chrome...It went on a Laredo package. I had to drill the rear holes.

ztowhooks-1.jpg

YJTowHookinstall1-1.jpg
Click to expand...
 
This post has me thinking, are d rings designed for tow or snatch type of pulls? I am assuming, tow hooks are just that, tow and not snatch, as pointed out in an earlier posted.
 
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AKCowboy said:
Which one broke, front or rear? Where did it break at? Any pics? Thanks.
I need something bulletproof because I am going to be wheeling my rig stock for a while and I have heard horror stories about flying tow hooks...
Click to expand...

No pics. Was back before the days of digital cameras. I was trying to pull a tahoe out in the early 90's. Snatched and it broke right in the middle of the hook. I don't KNOW that the drings would be better, but they're thicker, and I can get good US steel ones with a set weight load on them, so I just feel better about them. Have snatched on these drings pretty good and never missed a lick. Grade 8 hardware is a must, but on mine the hook broke, not the bolt.
 
wm69 said:
No pics. Was back before the days of digital cameras. I was trying to pull a tahoe out in the early 90's. Snatched and it broke right in the middle of the hook. I don't KNOW that the drings would be better, but they're thicker, and I can get good US steel ones with a set weight load on them, so I just feel better about them. Have snatched on these drings pretty good and never missed a lick. Grade 8 hardware is a must, but on mine the hook broke, not the bolt.
Click to expand...

I am planing on using drings. I don't like tow hooks, the strap comes off too easy. Thanks to everybodys input, I now have a plan, just no time :banghead:
 
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