killswitch21
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2017
- Messages
- 36
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 8
- Location
- HTX
- Vehicle Year
- 1990, 2008
- Make / Model
- Ford, Honda
- Engine Size
- 2.9L
- Transmission
- Manual
Apologies if this is in the wrong section, please move if so.
I have a 1990 Ford ranger 4x4 Standard cab, Long bed. 2.9L V6.
I've been getting the truck off-road ready and recently came to the realization that getting stuck is not the ideal time to realize I don't have any good recovery points. And with a Winch and winch bumper currently out of reach financially, I Decided to look into other options.
My truck came with a tow hitch, so I just picked up a D ring tow hook that mounts into the receiver. Which gives me 1 decent recovery point in the rear. I believe this will suffice until I acquire the funds for a proper rear bumper.
But I definitely still want some recovery points in the front, as the rear may not always be accessible.
After scouring the forums , there doesn't seem to be many solutions for the 2nd gen aside from a front tow receiver or a aftermarket/custom bumper.
I found these Reese bolt on tow hooks rated at 10k lbs, and I grabbed 2 with the intention of mounting one to each frame rail. I would loop the recovery strap through both hooks to try to spread the load to both rails rather than risking pulling one.
I may be overthinking this.
My issue is right at the front of the truck, the rails curve upwards for the last 1' or so of the rail.
Ideally I would mount the hooks towards the very front of the frame rail to make them easily accessible. (see first picture) I would utilize the hole I'm pointing at, plus drill one more next to it to mount my hook. However I'm concerned that the bend in the frame rail may be a weak point, and mounting the hooks in front of the bend may be asking for the frame to bend even more if I put too much load on them during recovery.
So the question is, would it be better to move the hook back behind the bend closer to where I have it in the 2nd picture? It would definitely be a lot less convenient to get to, especially when in mud or anything. However if the frame would be less likely to bend with the hook mounted here, I' could deal with it.
TLDR: Front Recovery hook location better in front of bend or behind the bend on the frame rails
Thanks in advance for the help. TRS has been an amazing resource to have access to with this truck.
I have a 1990 Ford ranger 4x4 Standard cab, Long bed. 2.9L V6.
I've been getting the truck off-road ready and recently came to the realization that getting stuck is not the ideal time to realize I don't have any good recovery points. And with a Winch and winch bumper currently out of reach financially, I Decided to look into other options.
My truck came with a tow hitch, so I just picked up a D ring tow hook that mounts into the receiver. Which gives me 1 decent recovery point in the rear. I believe this will suffice until I acquire the funds for a proper rear bumper.
But I definitely still want some recovery points in the front, as the rear may not always be accessible.
After scouring the forums , there doesn't seem to be many solutions for the 2nd gen aside from a front tow receiver or a aftermarket/custom bumper.
I found these Reese bolt on tow hooks rated at 10k lbs, and I grabbed 2 with the intention of mounting one to each frame rail. I would loop the recovery strap through both hooks to try to spread the load to both rails rather than risking pulling one.
I may be overthinking this.
My issue is right at the front of the truck, the rails curve upwards for the last 1' or so of the rail.
Ideally I would mount the hooks towards the very front of the frame rail to make them easily accessible. (see first picture) I would utilize the hole I'm pointing at, plus drill one more next to it to mount my hook. However I'm concerned that the bend in the frame rail may be a weak point, and mounting the hooks in front of the bend may be asking for the frame to bend even more if I put too much load on them during recovery.
So the question is, would it be better to move the hook back behind the bend closer to where I have it in the 2nd picture? It would definitely be a lot less convenient to get to, especially when in mud or anything. However if the frame would be less likely to bend with the hook mounted here, I' could deal with it.
TLDR: Front Recovery hook location better in front of bend or behind the bend on the frame rails
Thanks in advance for the help. TRS has been an amazing resource to have access to with this truck.
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