When sizing "D" or Bow shackles for a truck the rating is typically 1.5 to 2 times the gross weight of your loaded truck. I would go that direction. I use 4.75 ton or stronger shackles for my 80. So I think that the 5 ton would be a better solution. Think of it this way, it is just another "link" in the "chain" of your recovery system. I wouldn't want that to be the weak link.
The placement of the Dixon Bate is critical IMO. I think you'll want to place it over the "rib" that's on the back side of the ARB. I'm using simple D shackle brackets and there are two 1/4" plates behind each set of bolts plus the usual washers and such. A pic to illustrate my point:
Incidentally, the shackle brackets came from EE as well!
I haven't had a chance to do severe recovery work. Basically, I'd have to be the stuck vehicle for someone to pull me out using those shackles and the opportunity hasn't risen yet.
I did this one another ARB bumper on a previous SUV and that one saw many years of abuse w/o any signs of bumper deformation or the "rib" (inside the bumper) welding failure.
Given that the shackle bracket attachment point is right where bumper is attached to the frame horns, I think this is about the strongest location I could get my hands on.
