Front recovery points

[TylerA]

This is my first post on the forum but I have been lurking in the shadows and reading tons of threads for over a year now.

The PO of my tj thought they would make their own front bumper. All they did was take a piece of 3-inch steel square tubing, weld a couple of plates on each end to close it up, and then they welded it directly to the frame.

I am about to install a winch on it and I need to add some front recovery points although I am far from a professional welder, I can stick two pieces of metal together. Would something like this https://www.amazon.com/Bracket-Shackle-Offroad-Tractor-Trailer be adequate? Or would something I bolt on be better? idk, what do you guys suggest?

(btw, I have a 10000lb winch in the mail if that makes any difference)

I can add a picture if anyone is curious but I'm away from my jeep for a few days.

edit: you can see the bumper in my profile picture

 

[Steel City 06]

I would be hesitant to weld those to the front of the tube. When recovery pints like those are installed on fine bumpers, they need to be spotted and inserted so they are welded on both the front and back of the tube. Simply welding them to the front will cause the tube to warp severely when pulled.

I believe there are a number of aftermarket tow hook options that you could simply bolt to the unused bumper mounting holes on top of the frame rail. These are more than strong enough for a winch or a recovery point.

 

[Steel City 06]

Personally I would install your winch with something like this:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/92122_2900_07.htm
Then add some OEM-style tow hooks:
https://www.quadratec.com/p/omix/11236.03-tow-hook-pair-black-wrangler-tj

You'll just need longer bolts (1/2-13 UNC Grade 8 or Grade 9) to make sure there is full thread engagement.

 

[TylerA]

I would be hesitant to weld those to the front of the tube. When recovery pints like those are installed on fine bumpers, they need to be spotted and inserted so they are welded on both the front and back of the tube. Simply welding them to the front will cause the tube to warp severely when pulled.

I believe there are a number of aftermarket tow hook options that you could simply bolt to the unused bumper mounting holes on top of the frame rail. These are more than strong enough for a winch or a recovery point.

I was thinking about using those holes but I’m not sure if my winch/mounting plate will be In the way. I guess I will have to see.

That’s what I was worried about with welding it to the front. Thanks

 

[Mac57]

Without knowing the quality of the welds I wouldn't trust the welded on bumper for winching. Same reason for not welding on the tabs for recovery points. For them use the mounting holes on top of the frame rails

 

[TylerA]

Personally I would install your winch with something like this:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/92122_2900_07.htm
Then add some OEM-style tow hooks:
https://www.quadratec.com/p/omix/11236.03-tow-hook-pair-black-wrangler-tj

You'll just need longer bolts (1/2-13 UNC Grade 8 or Grade 9) to make sure there is full thread engagement.

I like the idea of those hooks on top. Is there anything more soft shackle or d ring friendly?

 

[Steel City 06]

I've seen people modify them with a retainer made from relatively thin bar stock:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tow-hooks-d-ring-shackles.7987/

 

[TylerA]

I've seen people modify them with a retainer made from relatively thin bar stock:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tow-hooks-d-ring-shackles.7987/

That’s a good idea.

 

[LONGJP2]

Is there anything more soft shackle ... friendly?

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/soft-shackle-recovery-points.81187/

 

[TylerA]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/soft-shackle-recovery-points.81187/

I did see actually see those. And I was about to order some along with his soft shackles, unfortunately I live north of the border and usps and Canada post are not coperating right now.

 

[LONGJP2]

I did see actually see those. And I was about to order some along with his soft shackles, unfortunately I live north of the border and usps and Canada post are not coperating right now.

I prefer the classic 'CJ' look.

 

[TylerA]

I prefer the classic 'CJ' look.

View attachment 582978

Yeah, that’s probably the way I’m gonna go. Thanks all

 

[Mac57]

Yeah, that’s probably the way I’m gonna go. Thanks all

Those are definitely the way to go, can be used with soft shackles, recovery straps etc, and much cheaper than the shiny ones you were looking at from the US.

 

[CMBD]

This is just me but I wouldn't trust anything, built by anyone, who was too lazy to just weld a bumper to a frame.

No way I would use any of that as the foundation of anything recovery related.

 

[macleanflood]

If you did want to properly install a bracket like you originally posted...I'd hope that it fit neatly inside the tube (or was larger and you could trim to fit snugly)...you'd cut a rectangle out of the front, drill holes in the top, bottom and a couple in the back...shove the bracket in after a healthy spray of weld through primer... tack the front and the holes...then finish with a good perimeter weld and rosette weld the holes.

Finding shackle holes with big radius corners is friendlier on soft shackles.

-Mac

 

[TylerA]

This is just me but I wouldn't trust anything, built by anyone, who was too lazy to just weld a bumper to a frame.

No way I would use any of that as the foundation of anything recovery related.

I know, you should see some of the welds. They look like shit. In the long run I would love to get a good aftermarket front bumper. But I’m all out of money. I just bought a winch and some suspension parts to replace the hodgepodge of skyjacker and chinesium parts that the PO put on. I also recently bought a rear bumper with a spare tire carrier. Anyways, I’m just trying to get by with what I got until the money jar fills back up. I have only done some moderate off-roading a few times since I got the jeep but I really want to get more into it. (Unfortunately not much in my area).

To be honest, I wouldn’t even know what to start installing a front bumper. Without a stock tj beside me, there no telling what the PO cut off or modified on the frame to get his square tubing to work.

 

[JMT]

I know, you should see some of the welds. They look like shit. In the long run I would love to get a good aftermarket front bumper. But I’m all out of money. I just bought a winch and some suspension parts to replace the hodgepodge of skyjacker and chinesium parts that the PO put on. I also recently bought a rear bumper with a spare tire carrier. Anyways, I’m just trying to get by with what I got until the money jar fills back up. I have only done some moderate off-roading a few times since I got the jeep but I really want to get more into it. (Unfortunately not much in my area).

To be honest, I wouldn’t even know what to start installing a front bumper. Without a stock tj beside me, there no telling what the PO cut off or modified on the frame to get his square tubing to work.

If you need pics of stock configurations in the future, there are people here who will help.