Recovery points idea. Feedback?

[Redwookie]

So after getting my butt stuck in a canyon on Sunday I realized what everyone had said before...GOTTA HAVE GOOD RECOVERY POINTS! I'm poor so I had an idea I wanted to run past people and see if you guys thought it'd work. I was thinking for the back, a hitch receiver shackle, no problem. But up front to save $$, I was thinking about getting a couple pieces of flat stock, scrap er whatever about 5/8" thick, cutting a few holes where the bumper (stock bumper btw), mounts to the frame and running it through bolting it to the frame putting a couple holes in the pieces where they stick out, and sticking some shackles on em. Whadya think? Will it work or no?

 

[BILTIT]

It has been done, i think in the ''hidden winch'' thread.

 

[BILTIT]

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208578&page=2

Near the bottom.

 

[Leper]

That is about the cheapest and easiest way to do it.

 

[Redwookie]

Sweet thanks guys. Thanks for the link biltit. That's exactly what I had in mind.

 

[BILTIT]

No problem, i have been thinking about it myself but hate to cut up my stock bumper.

 

[Redwookie]

Me too but I need to be prepared when I'm out doing my thing. This time I got caught with my pants down. I'm thinking that maybe I'll just leave the bumper off and try to build a tubular bumper to go with my shackles. Only problem is I have next to nothing in metal fab and/or welding experience. I was going to find someone with a TIG to do the recovery points but I wonder if I can get away w/ buying a cheapy welder for fab work on a bumper???

No problem, i have been thinking about it myself but hate to cut up my stock bumper.

 

[Leper]

You don't need a tig.

 

[desertrat67]

That looks pretty good. Make sure you tie the frame ends together or only do pulls from straight ahead or you will end up like my old cerwcab with a frame rail bent out to the sied beyond repair

 

[Redwookie]

Good thinking. I was going to add a front receiver set up like this http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185278 also so when I have the money I could add a multi point winch set up. I'm guessing the tube steel he added in that should take care of the bent frame rail issue.

That looks pretty good. Make sure you tie the frame ends together or only do pulls from straight ahead or you will end up like my old cerwcab with a frame rail bent out to the sied beyond repair

 

[Redwookie]

Really? I didn't think a cheapy welder from lowe's or whoever would create a strong enough weld for things like recovery points/ custom receiver set ups? If it is that saves me a lot of trouble since I have one available, the cheap kind I mean...

You don't need a tig.

 

[BILTIT]

You dont need a TIG but a good MIG is the ticket, preferably 220V.

 

[NewUser]

i used my factory hooks on mine...if you look close in this pic you can see them under the front bumper...i have the original factroy towing package on mine so ill use the rear hitch to hook straps to if i need to be pulled out backwards

 

[BILTIT]

I have factory hooks in the front aswell. I have bent them on my old truck though so not sure how long they will last. I am welding some ''D'' rings on my rear bumper aswell as getting a hook which slids into the reciever hitch.

You can just see them in the pic.

 

[Leper]

Really? I didn't think a cheapy welder from lowe's or whoever would create a strong enough weld for things like recovery points/ custom receiver set ups? If it is that saves me a lot of trouble since I have one available, the cheap kind I mean...

I did NOT say you can use a cheapy welder. There is a huge gap between a tig and the garbage welders out there. Don't assume that all of them are created equal. Don't trust your buddy's 110 HF special. I good mig will do just fine. Turn up the heat a little to get more penetration. Have someone who welds all the time, do the welding. If you don't know how to weld, and you try to weld something as critical as attachment points, you can very easily kill someone who uses those points later.

 

[1978Blazerk5]

i used my factory hooks on mine...if you look close in this pic you can see them under the front bumper...i have the original factroy towing package on mine so ill use the rear hitch to hook straps to if i need to be pulled out backwards

X2 I got the factory ones for the 70's trucks.

if you look closly you can kinda see em'.

 

[Redwookie]

OK. So that's what I was originally thinking. My friend had a good idea though. I'll pull the bumber off, get the stock steel ready and take it to a muffler shop or somebody else that can weld (and has a good welder) and have em stick em on. They wouldn't charge much to slap em on I would think.

 

[justwhatido]

Go to a dealer of big rigs (Like Freightliner, International or Peterbilt) or a junk yard for same and get two tow hooks. Then adjust the mounting holes and you shouldn't have to worry about the hooks EVER bending.

 

[BILTIT]

Thats a good suggestion. The factory hooks are just too lightduty.

 

[dhcomp]

With what welding expereince i have, i say go buy a used stick welder. Often a little more difficult to weld with, but for structural stuff like that, i don't think you can beat it for the price. I paid $75 for my lincoln "tombstone" arc welder.