YJ rear recovery point

[Shadly1]

I have nothing at the rear for a recovery point. I've been using the hole for the tow ball, but that's a pretty weak point. Any ideas of how to add a recovery point without buying a whole bumper? I do have an unused hole at the bottom of the frame on each frame rail, but it's only one hole on each side. I don't even know what to do with that hole. If I mount a hook downward, it could hang me up on stuff. If I mount a hook upward, it will hit the bumper bracket.

[USMC 0369]

I'm no help at all.

I've been struggling with this for a while. I have only bumperettes on the back and I don't want to be "that guy" with no tow points on the rear for IDTT this year. I will be watching this thread with interest.

Eventually, I will be getting a good rear bumper/tire carrier. Looking/leaning towards Rock-it Man brand, I'll have to contact to see what he's got avail for a YJ.

[VVjeepfreak]

[QUOTE=Shadly1;97425]I have nothing at the rear for a recovery point. I've been using the hole for the tow ball, but that's a pretty weak point. Any ideas of how to add a recovery point without buying a whole bumper?

If yours is hooked up like mine then that is as strong as the d rings off the rear bumpers. When ya think about it the bumper is just bolted to the rear frame. My hitch is bolted between the bumper and the frame. That seams to make sense to me unless someone else can chime in with whats wrong with that ???

[Shadly1]

Well, the bumper is good but it's attached to the rear crossmember. That crossmember is kind of weak. My bumper has the ball mounting location pretty low so when I use that as a tow point, it actually bends the crossmember. It's only a matter of time before I snap a weld. If that tow ball mounting hole was about 4" higher, it would be centered on the crossmember and that might make it ok.

As much as I don't want to admit this, my girlfriend's Honda Civic might have the answer. The tow point in the front is a flat bar with a hole in the end. I can probably make one that will fit nicely on the bottom of the frame. It can use one of those threaded holes in the frame and I can drill another one to keep it stable.


How do TJ rear recovery points attach? I've never looked at one up close. Can it be adapted to fit a YJ?

[avjeepfreek]

Here's and idea........ get a set of tow hooks (about $10 at any auto parts store) and find a spot on the side's of the frame, between the shackle mounts and the rear tires/Wheel well area, then simply drill the holes thru side of the frame and bolt them on. this way once you get your new rear bumper (that hopefully has tow points built into it) you can either unbolt'em or leave'em there as extra tow points. Just a suggestion.

[Shadly1]

I just bought a stock TJ tow hook on ebay for $20. I may have to cut it and drill it, but I think it will work.


It would have to slip between the shackle crossbolt(I have 1" lift boomers) and the frame. I don't know where I would need to trim it exactly yet.

[Jason]

If you look on the frame rail just in front of the rear shackle, Jeep did you a favor by putting a hole in the frame rail. There is just enough room to get your fingers and then a wrench to put tow hook in. Drill a couple of holes and you're good to go.

[Shadly1]

If you look on the frame rail just in front of the rear shackle, Jeep did you a favor by putting a hole in the frame rail. There is just enough room to get your fingers and then a wrench to put tow hook in. Drill a couple of holes and you're good to go.

That's the plan! I need one more hole towards the rear. I may have to shave off that hump in the back of that tow hook for clearance. I think I can add an allen head bolt somewhere around there and still get full flex out of the rear suspension. I'll have to experiment.

[NAILER341]

this is how a lot of folks do it.


http://www.knightmares.com/jeep/towhook.htm

[Shadly1]

That's how a lot of folks with a TJ do it. I saw that on Stu's site as well. I don't have enough room behind the shackle to mount it and I run the risk of snagging my tire if I mount it in front of the shackle. I'd love to use one of those tow hooks though. If only the holes were drilled across instead of top to bottom... If the factory TJ hook doesn't work, I may fill and drill one of those hooks and mount it sideways off the bottom of the rear frame rail.

[avjeepfreek]

Yep!

this is how a lot of folks do it.


http://www.knightmares.com/jeep/towhook.htm

Very cool, Great Pic! That's what I was suggesting! I've seen it done this way several different times! :wrench:

[Deamer]

I wish I would have seen your post right after you put it up. I would have sent you the rear hook off my TJ. I could have saved ya 20 bucks. I have been carrying it in my backseat in case I ran into someone that needs it. Hopefully you can make it work without too many mods.

USMC 0369 is he gets it to work and you want to do the same to yours let me know and i will send you the one I have.

[Shadly1]

I wish I would have seen your post right after you put it up. I would have sent you the rear hook off my TJ. I could have saved ya 20 bucks. I have been carrying it in my backseat in case I ran into someone that needs it. Hopefully you can make it work without too many mods.

USMC 0369 is he gets it to work and you want to do the same to yours let me know and i will send you the one I have.

nice. Well, if you get no takers on it, some bonehead is bound to cough up $20 on ebay for it.

[USMC 0369]

I wish I would have seen your post right after you put it up. I would have sent you the rear hook off my TJ. I could have saved ya 20 bucks. I have been carrying it in my backseat in case I ran into someone that needs it. Hopefully you can make it work without too many mods.

USMC 0369 is he gets it to work and you want to do the same to yours let me know and i will send you the one I have.

Thanks! I'll keep this in mind as I try to figure out my solution. Ya'll rock!