Missing tow hooks - need recovery advice

[Bandicoot]

The previous owner of my 2008 Ranger FX4 removed the front tow hooks in favor of a tow bar for towing behind his RV. I'm trying to figure out what I should do as I'm hesitant to take it offroad without a front recovery option.

The three options I've been considering are to:
1) remove the tow bar bracket and reinstall factory tow hooks (I didn't receive them with the truck so I would have to buy them)
2) buy a front mounted hitch
3) figure out a way to use the tow bar bracket for recovery

Here's a pic of what it looks like now:

 

[TheTopher]

Couldn't you just sandwich a recovery strap between the two pieces and use a big bolt to secure it?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You should be able to use a hitch pin or bolt in the tow bar brackets, put the loop of the rope in between the the two bars. Or use a ?shackle? [unsure of correct term], u or c shaped with bolt that is threaded into one side.

Edit; The Topher beat me to it

Richard

 

[4.0B2]

Use what's already there. Make a d-ring that will mount there. Find someone good with metal work. They can fab it up. I think it'd ve cool to have the option of flat toe or row hooks. Or just use a bolt like stated above

 

[Jason]

TAAAADAAAAAAHHH!
http://www.amazon.com/Offroad-OK-SHI058-Screw-D-Ring-Shackle/dp/B000FPXW0U?tag=959media-20

 

[robertc1024]

+1

 

[schaffer]

They sell d ring shackles at most hardware stores,well mine do anyway.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I htink you should do both one and two. mY 2 inch reciever in the front of my trck makes it a virtual tank. Ive used it for pulling many times and its awesome and solid.

 

[02RangerXLT]

When you have someone pull you out, make sure they hook up to BOTH sides of the tow bar and pull equally from each side... pulling from just one side isn't smart.

 

[Bandicoot]

Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I do have some D-shackles already, which I used to have mounted on the front and rear bumpers of my Jeep before I sold it for the superior Ranger! The problem, though, is that the holes on the towbar bracket are only 1/2" in diameter. The pin diameter on my shackles is 7/8" and even the ones in that link are 3/4". Any smaller shackle than that might be getting too light duty for the task.

Maybe a high grade 1/2" bolt on each side as suggested to secure a recovery strap would do the trick...

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I do have some D-shackles already, which I used to have mounted on the front and rear bumpers of my Jeep before I sold it for the superior Ranger! The problem, though, is that the holes on the towbar bracket are only 1/2" in diameter. The pin diameter on my shackles is 7/8" and even the ones in that link are 3/4". Any smaller shackle than that might be getting too light duty for the task.

Maybe a high grade 1/2" bolt on each side as suggested to secure a recovery strap would do the trick...

Either go that way, or possibly drill the holes out to 3/4"?? Just a thought

 

[Bandicoot]

Either go that way, or possibly drill the holes out to 3/4"?? Just a thought

True, only thing is if I drill them out they would never work for a tow bar again. I'd probably be better off trying to sell it and just buy hooks. I wonder if there's much of a market for these tow bar brackets and how much I could sell it for...

 

[xkotyx]

yeah d-ring is the way to go in this situation. cheap, easy, and still look good.

 

[The_Dealer]

d-ring ftw, the will fit through the holes, if not drill em

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I noticed you have other holes to use the d-ring/shackle on. They are right beside the tow bar mounts, probably for the safety chains.

Richard