Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Brynjaminjones on March 10, 2013, 07:40:12 PM

Title: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Brynjaminjones on March 10, 2013, 07:40:12 PM
I've started this to avoid taking over the Harptree thread...

I need front and rear recovery points for the XJ, so a few questions:

I've got a Mopar tow bar - is that strong enough for the rear? Should I replace the tow ball with something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x4-towing-recovery-point-towball-replacement-/321084871708?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ac226541c (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x4-towing-recovery-point-towball-replacement-/321084871708?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ac226541c)

For the front I'll get a hook. Which one of these would be most suitable:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Cherokee-Front-Bumper-Towing-Hook-/270878237236?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f1199e234 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Cherokee-Front-Bumper-Towing-Hook-/270878237236?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f1199e234)
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tow-Hook-Kit-Black-Jeep-Wrangler-Cherokee-CJ-etc-/181090370705?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AJeep&hash=item2a29d3c491 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tow-Hook-Kit-Black-Jeep-Wrangler-Cherokee-CJ-etc-/181090370705?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AJeep&hash=item2a29d3c491)

Will either of those be a direct fit, or do I need additional brackets/strengthening?
I've seen this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Cherokee-Bracket-Towing-Hook-/290537095702?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a55c4216 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Cherokee-Bracket-Towing-Hook-/290537095702?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a55c4216)
Would that be required??

Apologies for the amount of questions, I'm not yet too clued up on this! :003:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Nosebolt on March 10, 2013, 08:05:21 PM
the eyelet for the rear will be fine, just get a shackle and stop to go with it. don't know enough about XJs to comment on the front
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: chrisjones on March 10, 2013, 08:09:12 PM
Back looks cool.

It's been a while since I had the Cherry but I'm not sure where you'd attach those hooks.  I seem to remember there is a factory towing point under the bumper somewhere though. :017:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: MOCAJ on March 10, 2013, 08:14:05 PM
Back looks cool.

It's been a while since I had the Cherry but I'm not sure where you'd attach those hooks.  I seem to remember there is a factory towing point under the bumper somewhere though. :017:

im sure there is but its a wanker to get to and get a winch hook on, specially when your stuck in mud  :icon_winkle:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: chrisjones on March 10, 2013, 08:21:08 PM
You're probably right.  There wasn't much in the way of bodywork below the grill on Barbie. :003:

Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Brynjaminjones on March 10, 2013, 08:22:19 PM
Right, I'll order the back one. :icon_super:


I think there is one on the front - currently it faces inwards, but I reckon I could take it off and turn it around so it sticks out the front of the bumper. I could then add a shackle to it.


I'll get some pictures in the daylight so you can see if it's suitable!
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: gazjeep on March 10, 2013, 10:20:14 PM
For the front recovery point there is the factory one on the front passenger corner, if Jhay reads this, he can take a picture of the replacement jobbie I have "lent" him.

Essentially its a solid machined piece that bolts to the two existing fatory bolt holes & sticks out forward where it has a hole thru it to accect a shackle, you will get the idea from the pic
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: JamesH on March 11, 2013, 12:14:50 PM
As you've already said - on the front try and turn around the factory one so it goes through the bumper and is easier to get to. Lots of wd40 or other lubricating / penetrating spray will help.

Towbar is ok on the rear. Both would benefit from shackles -  I had (might still have somewhere) a straight sided shackle that fits under the towball and won't come off and the hole in the front recovery eye is big enough for a mid size shackle.

Neither of these points is really strong enough for kinetic rope or very strong winch pull but you are unlikely to get that badly stuck without lockers, big mud tyres and stupidity so a simple tow strap pull or light winch recovery should do it.

Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: wildwood on March 11, 2013, 12:18:59 PM
Some shackles fit over tow ball and screw pin secures them from coming off......Had one once....has walked...... :icon_super:.....Was rated at 8 tonnes......That'll do then :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Brynjaminjones on March 11, 2013, 02:35:17 PM
Awesome, cheers guys. I've just had a look, and yeah, I'll try to turn the front one around then get some shackles. :icon_super:


I don't plan on doing anything potentially damaging in the XJ, so I can't imagine I'll get too badly stuck!  :003:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Nosebolt on March 11, 2013, 02:57:38 PM
I don't plan on doing anything potentially damaging in the XJ, so I can't imagine I'll get too badly stuck!  :003:




 :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:


just ask Dutch, he said the same last year,
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Green Jeep on March 11, 2013, 03:41:28 PM
Quote
A daft question I know, but I assume I'll need to get a front recovery point on the XJ for this? On the rear is the tow bar adequate??

XJ has a front recovery you need a small shackle though... better if you can get one on the other side so you can run a bridle... the standard one is very strong, I pulled a LWB Pajero full of water out of a weir...

Towbar will be strong enough... can you get a strop/shackle through the towbar as apose to the towball as the tops of them can pop off... do you have a kinetic strop? Saves a whole world of hurt...

If you need something making up/welding, see Toby at Kelly Bray...
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Brynjaminjones on March 11, 2013, 05:39:18 PM

Okay, I shall see what I can do - am I right in thinking that the standard recovery point actually has a brace that runs along one of the uniframe rails a little bit??

No, I've not got any strops at all. I could probably do to get some -  do these look any good: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274)

I'll get in contact if I need any fab done  8-)
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Dutch on March 11, 2013, 06:06:10 PM
just ask Dutch, he said the same last year,

 :icon_redface: Yep, wasn't going to do this, wasn't going to do that ..... punches ...... pah you must be joking ..

All a bit precious ya know.......



Didn't last long  :hysterical:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Green Jeep on March 11, 2013, 07:27:17 PM

Okay, I shall see what I can do - am I right in thinking that the standard recovery point actually has a brace that runs along one of the uniframe rails a little bit??

No, I've not got any strops at all. I could probably do to get some -  do these look any good: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274)

I'll get in contact if I need any fab done  8-)

Standard point on yours is on the n/s, its a small loop that has two bolts holding it, I might have a spare you can get fitted to the other side.

yeah that kinetic will be perfect, personally I won't snatch tow with out one, zero whip lash, when you collect the AT's I'll explain how they work if ya like, or just google it. There is a guy in Plymouth that sells standard strops for a good price, I bought a load, Toby just had my two spares... shackles, make sure they are rated, again available in Plymchester  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: jay140285 on March 11, 2013, 10:07:03 PM
As Gaz said, I will take some pics of the ones he “gave” me. Jeep is down at the folks so it will be tomorrow.

They work very well and look great.
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Nosebolt on March 11, 2013, 10:10:39 PM

Okay, I shall see what I can do - am I right in thinking that the standard recovery point actually has a brace that runs along one of the uniframe rails a little bit??

No, I've not got any strops at all. I could probably do to get some -  do these look any good: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KINETIC-snatch-Tow-Strap-10mtr-8ton-Recovery-4x4-Landrover-Suzuki-Sj-strop-winch-/150786878274)

I'll get in contact if I need any fab done  8-)

Standard point on yours is on the n/s, its a small loop that has two bolts holding it, I might have a spare you can get fitted to the other side.

yeah that kinetic will be perfect, personally I won't snatch tow with out one, zero whip lash, when you collect the AT's I'll explain how they work if ya like, or just google it. There is a guy in Plymouth that sells standard strops for a good price, I bought a load, Toby just had my two spares... shackles, make sure they are rated, again available in Plymchester  :icon_biggrin:


got to say I don't like kinetic ropes especially in the hands of untrained novices
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: JamesH on March 11, 2013, 10:37:09 PM
I just don't like snatch towing at all - too unpredictable. I'd rather pull on it with a couple of Jeeps with webbing straps in convoy or get the winch setup. If nothing else is available, people are well away and recovery points are solid they have their place though.
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Brynjaminjones on March 12, 2013, 01:35:40 AM

Standard point on yours is on the n/s, its a small loop that has two bolts holding it, I might have a spare you can get fitted to the other side.

yeah that kinetic will be perfect, personally I won't snatch tow with out one, zero whip lash, when you collect the AT's I'll explain how they work if ya like, or just google it. There is a guy in Plymouth that sells standard strops for a good price, I bought a load, Toby just had my two spares... shackles, make sure they are rated, again available in Plymchester  :icon_biggrin:

Awesome, I'm very interested in the second hook. I'll have a chat when I pick up the tires.  8-)

Is the guy in Plymtown's business called Handy Straps?? If so, I'll pop in there this week  :003:

got to say I don't like kinetic ropes especially in the hands of untrained novices

Well I make no false pretense to be trained or experienced, but from what I've read it seem kinetic straps are safe enough if you use them gently (as I would) to let them do their job - is this true??

Anyway, I think I'll go for normal strops as they seem like they'd be more useful to me elsewhere  :003:


Jay, I'd be very interested to see what you've got. Here's what mine's like at the moment (exactly as Maf described):
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: JamesH on March 12, 2013, 06:28:11 AM
That's exactly what I had on my XJ and used it turned around for quite a few events when I first started.
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Green Jeep on March 12, 2013, 10:25:25 AM
Quote

Awesome, I'm very interested in the second hook. I'll have a chat when I pick up the tires.  8-)

Is the guy in Plymtown's business called Handy Straps?? If so, I'll pop in there this week  :003:

got to say I don't like kinetic ropes especially in the hands of untrained novices

Well I make no false pretense to be trained or experienced, but from what I've read it seem kinetic straps are safe enough if you use them gently (as I would) to let them do their job - is this true??

Anyway, I think I'll go for normal strops as they seem like they'd be more useful to me elsewhere  :003:


Jay, I'd be very interested to see what you've got. Here's what mine's like at the moment (exactly as Maf described):

Yeah Handy straps thats the guy if your buying a few he will normally knock a few quid off, but very cheap to start with, shackles are at the army surplus store at mutton cove.

If your at the next GL event you'll see kinetic strops being used and one of us can do a show and tell if ya like? They work really well, start with a gentle pull then increase speed a little if needed, as ever slow and steady keeps it safe.

Cheers Maf
Title: Re: XJ Recovery Points
Post by: Chris W on May 01, 2013, 12:17:46 AM
Good info here - thanks.

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