redwolf624 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 so i was out at pick n pull again today cause i saw they had those hard to find turbine rims but some idiot left the wheel locks on em but i ended up gettin the hooks off the front of a ford f150, has anyone ever mounted these onto their MJ or somethin along the lines of the hooks as tow/ recovery points? Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I haven't, but make sure you bolt em on using Class V bolts. Why not class VIII? Class V bends a bit before breaking. The harder classes tend to snap, creating a potentially hazardous recovery situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 I haven't, but make sure you bolt em on using Class V bolts. Why not class VIII? Class V bends a bit before breaking. The harder classes tend to snap, creating a potentially hazardous recovery situation. i don't know what class i got but i have the orginal bolts from the hooks and i got 4 new ones from lowes outta the drawers for meteric and nuts for the bolts, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 The front "frame" ears of the MJ unibody are NOT -- repeat NOT -- adequate by themselves for attaching tow hooks. Go to the Custom 4x4 web site and look at the tow hook kit they sell. It's basically a copy of the factory kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 The front "frame" ears of the MJ unibody are NOT -- repeat NOT -- adequate by themselves for attaching tow hooks. Go to the Custom 4x4 web site and look at the tow hook kit they sell. It's basically a copy of the factory kit. gotta link cause i feel like what i googled is not what you're talkin bout, and i have the back plate that the bolts thread into so the frame would be in between the hook and the back plate, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirsMJ86 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 how do those mount up? i know i have what seems like a lot of stupid questions but i'm new to the hooks on the front of any vehicle, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirsMJ86 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 The top bracket is driver's side. They go on the outside of the "frame" between it and the bumper mounts. The rear hole goes further back towards the wheel well, back where the steering bracket bolt is on the driver's side. Those allow you to pull without ripping the unibody to pieces because it spreads out the tension along the rail. You'll still twist it to hell though if you pull sideways. If I wasn't sick as a dog right now I could gets some pics of factory installed ones, but I won't be leaving the house for a few days (my trucks are out of town). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 iron rock offroad has a nifty set on their website under XJ parts http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XTHM&Category_Code=PFX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee21490 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 so i was out at pick n pull again today cause i saw they had those hard to find turbine rims but some idiot left the wheel locks on em but i ended up gettin the hooks off the front of a ford f150, has anyone ever mounted these onto their MJ or somethin along the lines of the hooks as tow/ recovery points? Redwolf I have a set of turbines on mine, I freaking hate them. They're ugly imo, And just get filled with mud & get unbalanced easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Got mine like the above off ebay back in September or October. The brackets sit under the stock front bumper brackets (the three holes on the fat end , and the hook bolts to the two holes on the welded on part. The hole at the end of the long thin part lines up with a hole in the frame from the factor. The ones I got came with all the mounting hardware necessary, so I just used what was in the kit. I want to say I had to reuse the factory bumper bracket bolts, but I don't remember. You may want to find (or make) a big flat washer of some kind for the long bolt that goes through the frame at the back hole, as the hole in my frame was only slightly smaller than the stuff provided. The tow hooks included are just some made-in-china cheapies, but they're not bad. Otherwise, the fit was excellent, although I did have to cut out my lower valence (the bit of plastic under the bumper) but that was to be expected. With a stock bumper, you'll have to unbolt the brackets from the bumper itself so you can spread them apart a little for the extra room the tow hook brackets take up. A 1/4" on each side. If I remember at some point when I'm parked somewhere dry I'll snap some $#!&ty low-res phone pics of them. For whatever reason I'm having trouble finding decent illustrative pictures with google. I don't do much offroading at all while I'm in school (can't really afford to break things) but so far the hooks have been great. Over the winter I've pulled out two Hondas and a Toyota, an S10, and a Chevy Avalanche. The hooks have also helped me get off the highway a couple times when things weren't going so well for the MJ. I might eventually replace the hooks with shackles, as I've cut up a couple straps when they've partially slipped out of the hook, although now I know what not to do next time. But the brackets could support shackles as easily as they support the hooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Just a stupid question. Why not use a front mounted hitch? My DrawTite his has welded on brackets from the factory. Think the hitch was about $75 If I remember correctly, there are 6 bolts holding the hitch on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48MJ Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I have a drawtite front receiver on mine, works great. I think it also helps tie the front of the frame together. But I also use the factory front tow hook brackets to tie even more together. Just don't put the tow hooks on them. Sometimes even carry a winch in the receiver with my removable winch carrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I have a drawtite front receiver on mine, works great. I think it also helps tie the front of the frame together. But I also use the factory front tow hook brackets to tie even more together. Just don't put the tow hooks on them. Sometimes even carry a winch in the receiver with my removable winch carrier I agree 100%......did it on an XJ first and now i would not even think of doing it any other way....The one for the Mj is sitting there just waiting for a spare minute to bolt it on....IMHO not only do you give yourself some frame re-enforcement but you leave open a world of easy add on's...beside a hitch mounted winch, there are bike carriers, cargo carriers, spare tire carriers, and what ever else you can think of or fab up that can easily be popped in when you are not useing the hitch for a tow point...way stronger and more versatile than hooks.. :thumbsup: . :MJ 1: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 The top bracket is driver's side. They go on the outside of the "frame" between it and the bumper mounts. The rear hole goes further back towards the wheel well, back where the steering bracket bolt is on the driver's side. Those allow you to pull without ripping the unibody to pieces because it spreads out the tension along the rail. You'll still twist it to hell though if you pull sideways. If I wasn't sick as a dog right now I could gets some pics of factory installed ones, but I won't be leaving the house for a few days (my trucks are out of town). thanks and when ya aint sick as a dog do take pictures of the factory ones, i don't be puttin hooks on for a while so Just a stupid question. Why not use a front mounted hitch? My DrawTite his has welded on brackets from the factory. Think the hitch was about $75 If I remember correctly, there are 6 bolts holding the hitch on. i've thought bout the hitch but i can't find one under 300 round here, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tactical Bacon Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Curt Manufacturing 31084. Class 3 Front Mount Receiver Hitch. $169.99 at Advance AutoParts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeless Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Get a hitch or the IRO tow hook mount. Well worth it compared to stand alone hooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 The top bracket is driver's side. They go on the outside of the "frame" between it and the bumper mounts. The rear hole goes further back towards the wheel well, back where the steering bracket bolt is on the driver's side. Those allow you to pull without ripping the unibody to pieces because it spreads out the tension along the rail. You'll still twist it to hell though if you pull sideways. If I wasn't sick as a dog right now I could gets some pics of factory installed ones, but I won't be leaving the house for a few days (my trucks are out of town). thanks and when ya aint sick as a dog do take pictures of the factory ones, i don't be puttin hooks on for a while so Just a stupid question. Why not use a front mounted hitch? My DrawTite his has welded on brackets from the factory. Think the hitch was about $75 If I remember correctly, there are 6 bolts holding the hitch on. i've thought bout the hitch but i can't find one under 300 round here, Redwolf 2 minutes with Google and $143. Like the old song says "You gotta shop around" More looking and patience will save you some more. http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-1992_Jeep_Cherokee.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Or keep an eye out for XJ's with factory(or aftermarket) hitches when you are searching the junkyard. They will be cheap and can be converted to a front mount with minimal fabrication :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirsMJ86 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Here are pics of the ones on my rig. Don't currently have the rear bolts installed but you get the idea. I'm actually going to be getting rid of these and changing to a front hitch or JCR bumper this summer hopefully. Looking at them in those pics, they appear to be custom made or something I think. But they work all the same, installed in the same manner as well. I do know the brackets are tacked onto the bumper brackets in my case. Found that out when I needed to remove the bumper awhile back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Curt Manufacturing 31084. Class 3 Front Mount Receiver Hitch. $169.99 at Advance AutoParts. The top bracket is driver's side. They go on the outside of the "frame" between it and the bumper mounts. The rear hole goes further back towards the wheel well, back where the steering bracket bolt is on the driver's side. Those allow you to pull without ripping the unibody to pieces because it spreads out the tension along the rail. You'll still twist it to hell though if you pull sideways. If I wasn't sick as a dog right now I could gets some pics of factory installed ones, but I won't be leaving the house for a few days (my trucks are out of town). thanks and when ya aint sick as a dog do take pictures of the factory ones, i don't be puttin hooks on for a while so Just a stupid question. Why not use a front mounted hitch? My DrawTite his has welded on brackets from the factory. Think the hitch was about $75 If I remember correctly, there are 6 bolts holding the hitch on. i've thought bout the hitch but i can't find one under 300 round here, Redwolf 2 minutes with Google and $143. Like the old song says "You gotta shop around" More looking and patience will save you some more. http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-1992_Jeep_Cherokee.htm 2 minutes 10 seconds on google = $118 including shipping http://www.hitchanything.com/Curt-31084-CURT-2-Receiver-Front-Mount.html?gclid=CKq93ZCApL0CFYhaMgodvF0AHg I have not seen them all but I am not really pleased at where a hitch-mounted winch plate places the winch on the front of the XJ's that I have seen using them. The winch sits pretty far forward and lower than some other options place it. That looks like a dangerous place for an expensive piece of equipment and it takes away from approach angle. I have seen pics of where people have taken after-market front frame reinforcement/bumper mounts and welded a piece of receiver tube scavenged from a junk yard hitch between the horns. This moves the receiver part of the hitch up several inches and places it behind the front license plate. The front bumper re-installs over the whole thing. As a plus you can have the front plate removable to gain access to your receiver. Another member, $500 MJ, has made a template and instructions for making a front tow hook set-up. it is an older post and some of the pics have been lost. I had a few saved and added them back in on pg. 2. http://comancheclub.com/topic/19584-500-mjs-front-tow-points/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 thanks guys, i've been lookin at front hitches but don't really know how one looks on a MJ or how it mounts up, i'll check out the links later today, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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