I've been hunting for some mounts to replace the stock hooks on the front bumper. Basically trying to avoid buying a whole new bumper just so I have a better grab point. I found these on ebay and they are a perfect fit for the stock mounts on my TJ. I'll be painting them black.... and you can use the factory bolts directly into front frame mounts instead of bolting to the skimpy bumper.
Sorry - can't say for sure since I'm just installing them ....I don't plan on leaving the shackles on while driving around town, but only mount them when going on trails. I would expect they will be ok resting against the rubber bumper pads. If not then I will only mount them when needed.
I wouldn't trust any shackle mount unless it is through-welded on both sides of what it is welded to. In other words, I wouldn't trust that shackle mount you found on eBay. I'm sure it'd be fine to secure things to but I wouldn't trust it for vehicle recoveries as I would a tow hook.
This standard tow hook includes a spring-steel retainer that will hold the rope in place... bolts right on and it'll hold up to being used for vehicle recoveries...
If you need longer mounting bolts, get some Grade 8 1/2x13 bolts.
I wouldn't trust any shackle mount unless it is through-welded on both sides of what it is welded to. In other words, I wouldn't trust that shackle mount you found on eBay. I'm sure it'd be fine to secure things to but I wouldn't trust it for vehicle recoveries as I would a tow hook.. .
Jerry - The upright portion (with the hole) appears to welded all the way through into the mounting base (not just a surface filet weld on top). I didn't take any pictures of the underside to show it though. I believe that at this point I'm seeing the same stress being transferred through the mounting bolts as a hook would have....negating the slight offset. But understand / accept your comments, and am looking to add hooks like those to the rear frame members.
Don't let the the fact that the ad says up through '02, they just haven't updated their ad since 2002. It'll work on any model year TJ, they're what I had on my previous TJ. I'd rather have these than the OE Mopar hook which doesn't hold onto the snatch strap or recovery rope as securely.
I have some of those hooks in the 2 hole version that I have mounted to the frame under the rear bumper. But my front has the rubber bumpers on the front and they wont mount there without spacers, or messing up the front rubber squares.
Bolting them down would indeed squish the rubber a tad but come on, is a little bit of a squish on the rubber a bigger deal than not having a good set of tow hooks is? Plus the spacer you mentioned will just give any serious load on the tow hook more leverage against the bolt and frame that it is threaded into.
I agree that any option is better than not having any hooks. Just trying to decide on the cheap 2 hole aftermarket hooks with the spring retainer for $7 each, or the factory style offset mount with no retainer for $20 each. Hat to spend more than I have to, although it isn't that much difference in $. But there are so many other little things to spend money on. Lol
I hadn't thought about moving the rubber pad down, I will investigate that today. Thanks!
The aftermarket hooks are better than the Mopar hooks and they have higher ratings too. I like the 3 hole model which allows the hook to be positioned out further, not to mention the spring steel clip to hold the rope in place. I've never been a fan of the less than optimal design of the Mopar hooks.
That the tab extends through the base and it's welded front and rear is great news, thanks for that photo. Vehicle recoveries can be so stressful and dangerous that it pays to really be careful when selecting parts that are key/critical parts.
Yes it does, which is why that design would not be my first choice.
Edit: Whoops, looks like you deleted your question asking if that two-bolt design would perhaps side-load the mounts too much.
These are my front shackle holders, you can barely see them but notice they're bolted on via four (Grade 8) bolts, two per side onto onto a reinforced bumper made with an integrated winch mounting plate. Unfortunately they were a prototype Savvy design that is not for sale... their design ended up being too costly to expect enough sales from.
Jerry was attempting to answer a question that I posted then deleted thinking it was not worded well enough to clearly state my question. Apparently he was able to decipher it perfectly.
For those that didn't see the question: I was curious if the tabs being located to the side of the mounting bolts without additional support on the far side vs. the way a tow hook is directly in line with the mounting bolts would cause a "side loaded" situation.
BTW I have a set of those Savvy recovery points but I was not able to use them due to a few holes in my front bumper that would overlap with the holes needed for their mounting. I will revisit them as soon as I switch to one of their front bumpers.
So I took tangos advice. Pulled bumper, removed pads, trimmed the top lip, drilled new holes 3/8" lower, remounted everything, then added hooks with grade 8 flanged bolts. Definitely like these hooks better than the oem ones.
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