front tow points

[RyboXJ]

My '00 XJ came with what looks like dual class II hitches up front, which i assume was for flat towing but i was wondering if any one makes either shackles or hooks that would fit into these 1.25"x1.25" hitches. If not, should i ditch them for tow hook brackets or attempt build my own?

[dmillion]

Dual class II hitches!?! Never heard of such a thing. Do you have a picture?

I guess my advice would be to take a good, close look at the mounting and the material the hitch (hitches?) are made of. Then judge for yourself if you think they are beefy enough for pulling from. If you're not sure, err on the side of caution and replace the thing with a class III hitch or brackets and hooks.

[GirlScout1]

I'm guessing he means like two little reciever boxes (one per side) that except the slide in attachment for flat towing. I'm pretty sure you can find small reciever attachemnts for these. I think Warn has them actually. As far as the strength goes for pulling I have no idea.

[Dragline]

They may just be meant for accepting someone's homemade cooler/fishing rod holder. Especially if you live near the coast. I'd look them over closely before I used them for recovery.

[Eagle]

That sounds like the mount for one of those "personal" snow plow rigs that Home Depot and Lowe's sell. If that's what you've got, they are definitely not suitable for towing, or as extraction points.

[xjj33p3r]

I would try to sell it, then buy yourself some tow hook brackets. Better safe than sorry.

[RyboXJ]

thanks for all the input, i will try to get pictures up tomorrow to further illustrate the setup. if i remember correctly there is also a small electrical hookup there aswell

[ChuckstrPT]

I would try to sell it, then buy yourself some tow hook brackets. Better safe than sorry.
I know that is the safest/only way to mount tow hooks, but be warned, a signficant side pull will bend the brackets. I was recently stuck in a deep rut, and need to be pulled up to the Right. The strap to just the passenger side hook bent the bracket, and didn't move the truck. A winch to a strap attached to both front hooks successfully bent the drivers side bracket too! and did get us out. These were aftermarket brackets. Just a little FYI. I'm hoping to go to a full bumper soon!

[Kejtar]

I know that is the safest/only way to mount tow hooks, but be warned, a signficant side pull will bend the brackets. I was recently stuck in a deep rut, and need to be pulled up to the Right. The strap to just the passenger side hook bent the bracket, and didn't move the truck. A winch to a strap attached to both front hooks successfully bent the drivers side bracket too! and did get us out. These were aftermarket brackets. Just a little FYI. I'm hoping to go to a full bumper soon!
Even the stock tow hook brackets will bend a bit on a side pull, but it can be prevented by reinforcing it (boxing it) with a 2"x3" piece of steel. If I don't forget I'll snap tomorrow a few pics of the ones I fixed up for my dad's jeep.

[RyboXJ]

alright here are a few pics that i hope explain the set up more clearly..

from the front...
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0403.sized.jpg

from the side underneath...
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0402.sized.jpg

more from underneath
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0404.sized.jpg
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0405.sized.jpg
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0406.sized.jpg

the hitch seems to be mounted by 4 bolts including the two that hold the sway bar "bracket" in there... any thoughts?

[xjj33p3r]

It's not mounted in the normal spot that tow hook brackets mount to... so I don't know how reliable it would be for recovery.

[scoobyxj]

http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0403.sized.jpg

http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0402.sized.jpg
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0404.sized.jpg
http://www.gator4x4.com/members/albums/ryan/IMG_0406.sized.jpg

I don't know I don't think I would use them for anything more than flat towing, or some kind of basket attachment. I bet they would bend for shure under a moderate to hard pull. If they don't pull out the attachement bolts first.

Never mind I just got a good look at that top pic. I definitly wouldn't use them for recovery,