joshv98xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bozeman, MT
So I've been spending some time thinking over the past week about front recover points and ideas, and I'm trying to brainstorm some new ones. I'm looking for something that I can either fab up myself, or have a local shop do without too much trouble.
I've decided that I don't really trust my front tow hooks, they're similar in design to the HiCountry Offroad tow hooks, in that they mount to the bottom of the frame rail, but from everything I've read, tow hooks really aren't as sturdy as a good front bumper or a front receiver.
I'd like to stay away from the front reciever hitch for two reasons, one because it hangs to low, and two because I'm planning on staying at 3" of lift for a little while, and I want to be able to use a front skid when I find one.
I really like what Love2Ride450 did with his: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=934995&highlight=tow+hooks
And I also really like the idea of the Detours Backbone:
http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone_install.php
But I also think that it wouldn't be all that hard to come up with something similar that might even incorporate both. I like the balanced look of the Detours with the two shackles hanging down. No offense Love2Ride, but I'm not sure I like the single reciever with the shackle hanging out. Kinda looks like you're sticking your tongue out :laugh3: .
If I was going to design something from scratch, how would I go about doing two recovery points? They could either hang low like Detours does, or they could come out the bumper, I'm not opposed to that as long as it doesn't stick out too far. What type of material/design would be strong enough for a receiver to be set into? It seems like most actual hitches are 1/4 mounting plates and then 1/4 wall tube with the reciever mounted through it. I'm also not sure just how much room I'll have behind the stock bumper itself, but this is along the lines of what I'm thinking. This is what I have in mind (top view), thinking at least 1/4" mounting plates, 2x3 or 2x4 box steel for main beam with a reinforced receiver on each side.
This is what I'm starting with, would I be better off just welding the mounting plates flat to the end of the box steel, or should I cut a box out of the mounting plates so the box steel slides through it and weld it on both sides? I'm open for ideas.
I've decided that I don't really trust my front tow hooks, they're similar in design to the HiCountry Offroad tow hooks, in that they mount to the bottom of the frame rail, but from everything I've read, tow hooks really aren't as sturdy as a good front bumper or a front receiver.
I'd like to stay away from the front reciever hitch for two reasons, one because it hangs to low, and two because I'm planning on staying at 3" of lift for a little while, and I want to be able to use a front skid when I find one.
I really like what Love2Ride450 did with his: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=934995&highlight=tow+hooks
And I also really like the idea of the Detours Backbone:
http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone_install.php
But I also think that it wouldn't be all that hard to come up with something similar that might even incorporate both. I like the balanced look of the Detours with the two shackles hanging down. No offense Love2Ride, but I'm not sure I like the single reciever with the shackle hanging out. Kinda looks like you're sticking your tongue out :laugh3: .
If I was going to design something from scratch, how would I go about doing two recovery points? They could either hang low like Detours does, or they could come out the bumper, I'm not opposed to that as long as it doesn't stick out too far. What type of material/design would be strong enough for a receiver to be set into? It seems like most actual hitches are 1/4 mounting plates and then 1/4 wall tube with the reciever mounted through it. I'm also not sure just how much room I'll have behind the stock bumper itself, but this is along the lines of what I'm thinking. This is what I have in mind (top view), thinking at least 1/4" mounting plates, 2x3 or 2x4 box steel for main beam with a reinforced receiver on each side.
This is what I'm starting with, would I be better off just welding the mounting plates flat to the end of the box steel, or should I cut a box out of the mounting plates so the box steel slides through it and weld it on both sides? I'm open for ideas.