100 tech, self recovery essentials

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Joined
Mar 30, 2008
Threads
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Location
kalamazoo, mi, u.s.a.
greetings,

When using a hi-lift etc. jack for self recovery.. which would be essential equipment and /or convenient supplements ? . Getting stuck 3 times a year does not justify a dedicated winch in the front.

regards,
m.a..d
 
#1: Get yourself Bill Burke's "Getting Unstuck" DVD. Getting UNStuck DVD

#2: Getting stuck at the wrong place just once is just reason to add a winch. I use my winch more often than I thought I would...and it has saved my/my friends and a fair amount of time each time I've used it just this year!

#3: Obviously if you find yourself getting stuck within ear shot of AAA Towing and don't mind the wait you can put the winch to the bottom of your list; or use the HiLift for such matters.


Sometimes I get a rib'n for the weight of my recovery gear bag. But you know over the past 3-years there's nothing in it I haven't used to extricate my rig!

Tree saver, minimum 4-rated bow shackles, snatch block, extra syn winch line, section of rated chain, tire chains, etc. just to start. And be sure to have solid/secure anchor points on your hundy!

But knowing how to use it all is priceless (see above link to the Getting Unstuck DVD)!
 
what spresso said.

practice setting up to get unstuck. find the nearest TLCA chapter and go to some meetings; catch a ride & watch how others do it.

better to be able to practice recovery setup blindfolded in the daytime than learn how when it's brrrrry cold outside & your attachment points are under the mud with your recovery gear buried behind the door that's taking on water....
 
Everybody needs a winch... :D

Don't wheel alone. Works for me.
 
There was an article in the July/August 2008 issue of Toyota Trails that described how to use a hi-lift type jack. It also showed how to use a length of winch rope as an extension for the chain that is used. If you're not a TCLA member (you should be!) you can probably still purchase that issue from them. The list of "accessories" from the article includes: 3/4" shackles, 3/8" grade 70 chain, 3/8" syn. winch extension rope, lift mate, hitch pin, shackle bracket, wheel chocks, off-road base.
 
Once you have a winch you will not get stuck 3 times a year. Trying to use a highlift to "winch out" is more myth than an actual recovery method. Tow strap will strech longer than high-lift can pull. Supress has the list pretty well covered but add gloves. Syn winch line will work as will chain, but you have to have enough length to reach anything. Also, bow shackles or D-rings will not fit in the holes on the highlift. A hand operated comealong would be a better piece of equipment than a highlift. I too read the article, come on, if you have that much stuff, you own a winch. You might consider a removeble winch mount, if you don't want to drive around with a on winch all the time.

Join the TLCA, Buy the DVD, then get a winch and all the accessories to go along with it. Most important, Practice.
 
superb,

Thank you gentlemen!

When i had googled this term i did stumble across some Bill Burke articles. For sure i will order the dvd and try to get the magazine. Do they have synthetic rope that does not stretch? i read somwhere that for getting towed you want the stretchy kind but for jacking with a hi-lift you want no stretch. the other item i need to research as well is some sort of anchor or portable tow point for when the nearest tree or big rock is nowhere to be found. Any suggestions for that?

And be sure to have solid/secure anchor points on your hundy!
.

There is a hook in the front under the bumper on the passenger side. Is that adequate? I also saw a hook that you put on the trailer hitch in the back. Would that work?

thank you,
regards, m.a.d.
 
You might consider a removeble winch mount, if you don't want to drive around with a on winch all the time.

I decided to put heavy duty shackle mounts on both bumpers where I can attach a winch on a carrier base.
 
superb,

Thank you gentlemen!

When i had googled this term i did stumble across some Bill Burke articles. For sure i will order the dvd and try to get the magazine. Do they have synthetic rope that does not stretch? i read somwhere that for getting towed you want the stretchy kind but for jacking with a hi-lift you want no stretch. the other item i need to research as well is some sort of anchor or portable tow point for when the nearest tree or big rock is nowhere to be found. Any suggestions for that?

There is low to almost no stretch rope out there. Synthetic winch line is an example. ARB has a no stretch winch extension strap, but I don't know it's stretching properties. I haven't seen or worked with one.

also saw a hook that you put on the trailer hitch in the back. Would that work?
NO!!!
 
superb,

Thank you gentlemen!

When i had googled this term i did stumble across some Bill Burke articles. For sure i will order the dvd and try to get the magazine. Do they have synthetic rope that does not stretch? i read somwhere that for getting towed you want the stretchy kind but for jacking with a hi-lift you want no stretch. the other item i need to research as well is some sort of anchor or portable tow point for when the nearest tree or big rock is nowhere to be found. Any suggestions for that?



There is a hook in the front under the bumper on the passenger side. Is that adequate? I also saw a hook that you put on the trailer hitch in the back. Would that work?

thank you,
regards, m.a.d.
Recovery with a "snatch strap" is a bit different than winch recovery. The idea is to leave some slack in the strap, the tow vehicle drives forward and when the strap goes taunt it has some give which reduces the shock on the recovery points etc. The elastic nature can also be used to advantage when towing a rig out of deep sand or mud. The method is best reserved for those skilled in it's use as it can result in damage to both vehicles. The novice, and I include myself in this catagory, should only use a snatch strap when someone just needs a little help to get off a rock.

If the stuck rig is bad stuck, like axle deep in mud, bound up in a rock garden, etc., a winch provides much more control. In my mind control=safety.

IMHO a come along or Hi Lift is a method of last resort for winching. If you can't get an electric winch look for a Tirfor winch, Black rat nakes one version.

The open hook on your (and my) 100 isn't that great of a recovery point. I'll leave it to others to describe it's downfalls.

Edit: I can't belive this thread has 12 post and no bad wench/winch puns yet. Slackers!!!
 
There is a hook in the front under the bumper on the passenger side. Is that adequate? I also saw a hook that you put on the trailer hitch in the back. Would that work?


The reason is is the bumper hitch isn't made strong enough.

The hook in front may or may not be strong enough depending on how many times you've pounded it into rocks, etc., and how stuck you are. It is best to have shackle mounts that properly tie into the truck's frame. That could possibly be through an aftermarket bumper.
 
The reason is is the bumper hitch isn't made strong enough.
....

Thats subjective.

The hitch on my FJ40 is actually bolted to the rear cross member, it's been used many time as a recovery point.

The hitch on my UZJ100 ties directly to the frame, not the bumper, and is strong enough for a recovery point. The same is true for many after market bumpers hitches.
 
Good stuff thank you,
I ordered the unstuck video and another video they had for beginners on 4x4 books. much obliged on the links and information. I also bought one year to TLCA. I would love a warn 1200 on an arb front bumper but that's not happening anytime soon, however, i am going to go out before then so all of the information is really truly appreciated. Thank you. There are no rocks over here. only mud and snow so no rock sliders etc. I looked underneath the car again and it has 4 tow points bolted to the frame in the front and the hook on the driver side bolted to the frame and the passenger rear bolted on the tow hitch assembly bolted to the frame. any links for bolt on d rings? The points not hooks look like thin metal pancakes so maybe putting some D rings would be good policy.

I have for essentials so far 1) Tough leather gloves 2) secure tow points. 3) tree saver, 4) 4-rated bow shackles, 5) snatch block, 6 ) synthetic no stretch line, 7) rated chain and tire chains.. 8) hi-lift 60" with winch kit.

I can't wait to get the video because i have seen pictures of a snatch block and i have no idea what the hell it does and 4- rated bow shackles sound tough as all get out and i have no idea what the he*& that is ;p good stuff though ... thank s again everyone:beer: regards, m.a.d.
oops. (9 shovel, (10 big bag of kitty litter, 11) patience :)
 
Warn Says it best....Cuz stuck happens!

No matter what you're packin' there's always something else that would come in handy...in some cases nothing handier than a winch!
GotWaterGotWinch.webp
 
Good stuff thank you,
I ordered the unstuck video and another video they had for beginners on 4x4 books. much obliged on the links and information. I also bought one year to TLCA. I would love a warn 1200 on an arb front bumper but that's not happening anytime soon, however, i am going to go out before then so all of the information is really truly appreciated. Thank you. There are no rocks over here. only mud and snow so no rock sliders etc. I looked underneath the car again and it has 4 tow points bolted to the frame in the front and the hook on the driver side bolted to the frame and the passenger rear bolted on the tow hitch assembly bolted to the frame. any links for bolt on d rings? The points not hooks look like thin metal pancakes so maybe putting some D rings would be good policy.

I have for essentials so far 1) Tough leather gloves 2) secure tow points. 3) tree saver, 4) 4-rated bow shackles, 5) snatch block, 6 ) synthetic no stretch line, 7) rated chain and tire chains.. 8) hi-lift 60" with winch kit.

I can't wait to get the video because i have seen pictures of a snatch block and i have no idea what the hell it does and 4- rated bow shackles sound tough as all get out and i have no idea what the he*& that is ;p good stuff though ... thank s again everyone:beer: regards, m.a.d.
oops. (9 shovel, (10 big bag of kitty litter, 11) patience :)
You drive a 100 right?
Check the 100 tech forum, spressomon designd a bolt on recovery point for the 100. I'm sure he would share the design if you wanted to get a few made.
 

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