Higgys front bumper hard shackles (1 Viewer)

[Richbroke]

I purchased a rear bumper from higgys with the recent group buy on this forum, and since I planned on having it installed in person I also purchased a front bumper. Very satisfied with purchase and install and looks great. My only issue so far is that my rear and front shackle mount holes are sized different, not sure if this was done by design. I was wondering if anyone else has a higgys front bumper and if so what size shackle they are using on front bumper. I currently have a set of 3/4 in steel shackles with a 7/8 in diameter pin that will fit on the higgys rear bumper but not the front. I believe i need a set of 5/8 in hard shackles with a 3/4 in diameter pin for front bumper, but all the 5/8 in hard shackles i can find are recommended for smaller vehicles with a lower WLL. Not sure if drilling out front bumper recovery points to fit same size shackles as rear bumper will cause damage or weaken the bumper. I was able to fit a soft shackle in the front bumper but not sure if repeated use will cause damage to soft shackle. Anyone have any suggestions.

 

[voodu3]

I’d get a spare set of soft shackles before I drilled out my new bumper. The bumpers look awesome btw.

 

[Richbroke]

I’d get a spare set of soft shackles before I drilled out my new bumper. The bumpers look awesome btw.

That's the plan for short term. Maybe I just need to hurry up and get my winch. To be fair I have only had bumper for 3 weeks. The only reason I know of the difference in size is because I had to pull out a chevy avalanche that had got stuck due to some issues causing only 2 wheel drive. On a side note, rear bumper tows fine.

 

[Richbroke]

More bumper pics

 

[mudgudgeon]

Hard to be sure just from your pictures, but it looks like there's enough material and clearance around the hole to enlarge them.

If it was done carefully with a die grinder, and enlarged TOWARD the main part of the bumper not toward the edge of the recovery tab you won't reduce the strength IMHO.

You need to decide if there's enough clearance for a shackle to the main part of the bumper.

Or, spend $50 on soft shackles.

Or, use your smaller shackles and a bridle strap so you're always pulling from two points.
This halves the load on your gear, the bumper, the frame etc

 

[ChaseTruck]

So where would the soft shackles go? Into the current recovery tabs? My soft shackles are made from 1/2” rope…since my bumpers have the tabs for D-ring steel shackles, I use those on the truck side and the soft shackle on the ‘other’ side. If you’re set on using soft shackles, you might want to look at those tabs, specifically at the inner edges, and perhaps round those edges to keep the soft shackles happy.

 

[Richbroke]

I used my soft shackle in the opening where the hard shackles would normally be installed. The soft shackle was a tight fit. I think I am going to find some smaller hard shackles that fit with the highest WLL I can find and also use a bridle to use them together.

 

[Tennessee80]

I purchased a rear bumper from higgys with the recent group buy on this forum, and since I planned on having it installed in person I also purchased a front bumper. Very satisfied with purchase and install and looks great. My only issue so far is that my rear and front shackle mount holes are sized different, not sure if this was done by design. I was wondering if anyone else has a higgys front bumper and if so what size shackle they are using on front bumper. I currently have a set of 3/4 in steel shackles with a 7/8 in diameter pin that will fit on the higgys rear bumper but not the front. I believe i need a set of 5/8 in hard shackles with a 3/4 in diameter pin for front bumper, but all the 5/8 in hard shackles i can find are recommended for smaller vehicles with a lower WLL. Not sure if drilling out front bumper recovery points to fit same size shackles as rear bumper will cause damage or weaken the bumper. I was able to fit a soft shackle in the front bumper but not sure if repeated use will cause damage to soft shackle. Anyone have any suggestions.

View attachment 3775663

Really dumb question here, but why not call the folks at Higgy's and ask them what they recommend for a front shackle? they designed and built the bumper with some shackle in mind, I'm sure...?