Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Caddy on July 15, 2009, 03:36:09 PM

Title: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: Caddy on July 15, 2009, 03:36:09 PM

well I had my front stock tow hooks modified and reinforced by a friend and the first yank bent them again.

I am wondering what the best solution is to make proper mounts for the tow hooks. at all possible I would like to put on d-rings.

I am looking to do a bumper on the front but this probably wount happen for a year.

any suggestions would be good.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: Aspirated on July 15, 2009, 03:41:12 PM

I have had a couple XJ's, i havnt found a great solution myself except for a good quality front bumper. I found a lot of hurdles with the uni-body XJ's... but maybe thats why they are so fun.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: JackstandJohnny on July 15, 2009, 04:09:55 PM

front hitch :D

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: WagoneerXJ on July 15, 2009, 04:10:39 PM

just get a bumper for. saves alot of grief.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: Caddy on July 15, 2009, 05:42:53 PM

yah just bumpers for the XJ aren't cheap.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: mhernden on July 15, 2009, 06:31:09 PM

I just went through all this on my 99 XJ... honestly... bumper is the way to go. 

It took me months to find the exact one that i wanted... and yes... it wasnt cheap.  HOWEVER... i have drag'd numerous people out of things that they shouldnt have been in.  I have also drag'd myself out of things that i shouldnt have been in with a winch mounted on the bumper.  Believe me when i say... its worth it in the end. 

One investment up front will save you issues in the future. 

I dunno if im allowed to plug any bumper builders or whatever...  but i got my front and rear from RockHard4x4 out of the USA.  They ship freight up from the states... which again... isnt cheap... but they do a damn good job of providing a quality product. 

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: Caddy on July 15, 2009, 08:41:04 PM

Thanks for the input guys.

I know I need to get a bumper and I want to get a bumper. so I guess I will just get a bumper.

no food for a month

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: mhernden on July 15, 2009, 09:12:26 PM

If you still have your stock XJ bumper... theres some foam in there that i think could be sliced thin... little salt and pepper... possibly a minute or two in the frying pan... should keep you alive for a bit. 

Aint jeeps grand... hahaha  cost a fortune but damn they're a riot.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: S-FLY on July 16, 2009, 01:56:35 PM

I've never had any issues with my XJ front hooks.  I use these ones:

(http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/media/recovery/xj-th_01.jpg)

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: Caddy on July 16, 2009, 02:25:05 PM

where did you get those? they look like a decent iterm solver

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: S-FLY on July 16, 2009, 03:10:17 PM

Bought mine from Jeeperz Creeperz.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: ornamental on July 16, 2009, 06:28:36 PM

modern had some xj hook brackets.   $140 a pair.   there suppose to be a regulary stocked item. 

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: dubbleJs on July 16, 2009, 11:37:23 PM

Quote from: Caddy on July 16, 2009, 02:25:05 PM

where did you get those? they look like a decent iterm solver

Those are the exact same as OEM brackets, what do you have on there now? Sometimes its inevitable that they will bend if tugged at an angle. I just mounted OEM brackets and hooks on my XJ with all the proper brackets and bolts and still tweaked them a little bit while winching at a tough angle. As long as your current brackets are strong and have not significantly weakened, stick with them and dont waste your $$$ buying knock-off stock brackets!

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: cLAY on July 17, 2009, 09:00:55 AM

Those knock off brackets are missing some pieces to reinforce for side pulls that the factory system uses. Items B and F in the pic.

(http://www3.telus.net/chardock/towhooks.gif)

When I had my XJ I was missing those brackets from the stock kit so I ran a piece of 3/8 flat bar, about 4" wide all the way across the front of the jeep from one bracket to the other and bolted it on underneath the tow hook. This way they reinforced each other.

Title: Re: Front tow hook Ideas for a XJ
Post by: cLAY on July 17, 2009, 09:01:30 AM

Here's a link for a clearer pic.

http://www3.telus.net/chardock/towhooks.gif