recovery points
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Raleigh USA
recovery points
I have an 85 bronco xlt and I go 4 wheeling quite often and get stuck almost as much. i have a trailer hitch in the back so that's my only method for people to pull me out. I am getting some tow hooks, and I'm going to attach them to the frame, but would it be safe to attach them to the bumper? Also, is the hole in the rear bumper (mine is the factory diamond steel one) strong enough to pull me from if i just slip a shackle in there.
1985 Bronco XLT, 351HO 4bbl, C6, NP208 ,9" 3.55 limited slip, Warn Premium Hubs, Quad Front Shocks, Dual Flowmaster 50's, BFG 32x11.5 ATko's
1985 Bronco XLT, 351HO 4bbl, C6, NP208 ,9" 3.55 limited slip, Warn Premium Hubs, Quad Front Shocks, Dual Flowmaster 50's, BFG 32x11.5 ATko's
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
recovery points
yo Perry,
here you go:
http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/tech/recovery/
do you have the tow hooks with the thin pieces that keep the cable or straps from falling off? they help!... also read about protecting the bumper when being towed from the rear.it all depends on da angle of the dangle.
also look at:
a heavy duty bumper (a 78, but the concept is good!):
http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/tech/em_bumper.html
here you go:
http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/tech/recovery/
do you have the tow hooks with the thin pieces that keep the cable or straps from falling off? they help!... also read about protecting the bumper when being towed from the rear.it all depends on da angle of the dangle.
also look at:
a heavy duty bumper (a 78, but the concept is good!):
http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/tech/em_bumper.html
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 3
From: Bismarck, ND
recovery points
Perry:
I wouldn't go light on recovery points. If anything, go overkill. I've got the same year Bronco as yourself, and I've been working on designing a set of front tow hooks. My current plan involves taking a 4" long piece of 1 1/4" square steel stock, drilling two vertical 1/2" holes through it, each located 1" from an end (so that the two holes are 2" apart), and one 1/2" horizontal hole through the midpoint. Grade 8 bolts will bolt up vertically through the outer holes, through the frame, and possibly through another piece of stock (so that the stress is spread out over more of the frame) before being capped with washers and locknuts. A shackle will bolt through the horizontal hole, and will pivot beneath. You may talk to your local welding shop..... they probably have some good ideas.
Aside from being a pain and damaging your truck, poorly secured shackles or tow hooks can be very dangerous. That shackle, hook, or quick-link stuck through a hole in the bumper will become a projectile if it fails under load. Springing back from the end of a ****** strap, it would very likely go through someone else's windshield, rear window, or worse. A little engineering and attention to detail will be well worth the effort!
I wouldn't go light on recovery points. If anything, go overkill. I've got the same year Bronco as yourself, and I've been working on designing a set of front tow hooks. My current plan involves taking a 4" long piece of 1 1/4" square steel stock, drilling two vertical 1/2" holes through it, each located 1" from an end (so that the two holes are 2" apart), and one 1/2" horizontal hole through the midpoint. Grade 8 bolts will bolt up vertically through the outer holes, through the frame, and possibly through another piece of stock (so that the stress is spread out over more of the frame) before being capped with washers and locknuts. A shackle will bolt through the horizontal hole, and will pivot beneath. You may talk to your local welding shop..... they probably have some good ideas.
Aside from being a pain and damaging your truck, poorly secured shackles or tow hooks can be very dangerous. That shackle, hook, or quick-link stuck through a hole in the bumper will become a projectile if it fails under load. Springing back from the end of a ****** strap, it would very likely go through someone else's windshield, rear window, or worse. A little engineering and attention to detail will be well worth the effort!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 181
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From: Annville PA USA
recovery points
it may be worth looking into, but have you thought of a front reciever hitch?
it makes sense to me, built relatively stout, and if you use one at the rear as a tow point, why would a front point be any different? (i dont know, it just makses sense to me) maybe someone could back me up on this. Plus as an added bonus, you could always get one of those multi-mount winch setups, run 2 sets of wire, one to the front, and one to the rear... and voila! two winch points without 2 winches
hope that helps
it makes sense to me, built relatively stout, and if you use one at the rear as a tow point, why would a front point be any different? (i dont know, it just makses sense to me) maybe someone could back me up on this. Plus as an added bonus, you could always get one of those multi-mount winch setups, run 2 sets of wire, one to the front, and one to the rear... and voila! two winch points without 2 winches
hope that helps
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
recovery points
I have designed a front tow bar to attach two tow hooks to as well as a shackle. It fits trucks and broncos that have the lame crinkle frame with the sway bar mounts. I am willing to either sell the plans for a small fee to cover the time i have into them or make you a bar for a little more. If your interested email me and we can talk some more.
Ryan
Ryan50hrl(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Ryan
Ryan50hrl(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
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