without aftermarket front recovery points, what should i use? (1 Viewer)

[VSPro9]

Hello all,

I did run a search, but i couldnt find much.

without aftermarket front recovery points, what are my options if i need a pull from the front of my vehicle?
Ive heard not to use the tie down loops, as those are designed only for transporting on a flatbed.
Ive got my first serious off-road adventure in 2 weeks, and i want to make sure if i do get bogged down i dont damage my car recovering it.

Thanks!

 

[aquilon]

without making a whole thread about it, anybody know what recovery points work with Ironman front bumper?

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

There are a couple people that rip their pre 06 tie downs at GXOR. Especially in the rust belt.. Late 05 model switch to stronger weld thru tie down. Still not strong enough for heavy duty recovery but much better.
This incident happened 12 years ago. Not sure the circumstances. Might be an abused demo vehicle.


Trail tailor, Treaty Oak and Apex Overland got recovery point. I would use 150 version instead of the one dedicated for 120 version as the 120 version are a lot more difficult to install and not as strong.

I would also strongly recommend a short strap or bridle to split the load between the two tie-down.

Where the OEM tie down point on the frame horn does create leverage and can cause the failure like shown in the video.
This style does not reinforce the frame horn
View attachment 2717849

This style does as it tie the radiator support to the main rail.
View attachment 2717850

Apex recovery does looks the best although I am not sure about material and what welding do to it. They do not have KDSS version until late last year. And the swaybar mount holes used are not present on KDSS frame. You would need to drill and insert the nuts somehow.

Shop | Apex Overland | Off-Road Part Accessories

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If you watch professional off road recovery on YouTube, you will see a lot of questionable practice by the book. They develop the feel of what is safe and have to utilize what is available on customer's vehicles.

The Treaty Oak points were really lazily designed, I wouldn't trust those any more than the factory Towing Eyelets. But the Apex points are definitely going to be stronger.

And yeah, I fully agree that many "professionals" have adopted bad practices and some of the crap on the internet spreads bad information.

For points like the Treaty Oak or even Trail Tailor, a bridle strap would pull them inward and bend the plate. Apex points are reinforced so I wouldn't worry on those. And the factory Towing Eyelets are meant to be used that way as well.

Everyone keeps using the term "tie down points"... Can anyone point to any Toyota literature that calls them by that name? Because the owner's manual and everything else I've seen calls them "Towing Eyelets".

 

[ebbs15]

Towing eyelets vs tie down is the same thing, to secure the vehicle while in transit or towing, and really only have to support the weight of the rig.
The forces experience in recovery far exceed the weight of the vehicle and even gvm, depending on how stuck the rig is, terrain, angle of recovery, and if the vehicle is damaged.
I don't disagree that the factory tie down/tow eyelets can do in a pinch, but why plan for that, when, if they fail, it's catastrophic? Recovery points are cheap insurance, and even the Treaty Oak ones (I agree not the best design) add some additional support through the frame.

I wouldn't hesitate to hook up to the factory eyelets it that's all that was there, but if I was planning on going into situations that I may need recovery, it doesn't make sense to me to not add rated recovery points to prevent possible catastrophic damage.
$.02

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

Towing eyelets vs tie down is the same thing, to secure the vehicle while in transit or towing, and really only have to support the weight of the rig.
The forces experience in recovery far exceed the weight of the vehicle and even gvm, depending on how stuck the rig is, terrain, angle of recovery, and if the vehicle is damaged.
I don't disagree that the factory tie down/tow eyelets can do in a pinch, but why plan for that, when, if they fail, it's catastrophic? Recovery points are cheap insurance, and even the Treaty Oak ones (I agree not the best design) add some additional support through the frame.

I wouldn't hesitate to hook up to the factory eyelets it that's all that was there, but if I was planning on going into situations that I may need recovery, it doesn't make sense to me to not add rated recovery points to prevent possible catastrophic damage.
$.02

Can't argue with any of this.

If someone is planning to get their GX really stuck stuck, upgrading and reinforcing these points makes total sense. It's overkill for 90+% of GX drivers who won't actually bury the truck in sand or wedge it between rocks, but it's also an inexpensive upgrade in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

And now that I've dug into these more... I think I'm going to order the Apex mounts just for sh!ts and grins.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

And now that I've dug into these more... I think I'm going to order the Apex mounts just for sh!ts and grins.

A few years ago, I came to the same conclusion that the apex mounts were the best option to beef up your recovery points.

let’s see if I can link that specific thread. Builds - Homer's 2003 GX470 Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/homers-2003-gx470-build.1054832/post-12293984

Moreover, I upgraded the bolts to be even beefier.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

A few years ago, I came to the same conclusion that the apex mounts were the best option to beef up your recovery points.

let’s see if I can link that specific thread. Builds - Homer's 2003 GX470 Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/homers-2003-gx470-build.1054832/post-12293984

Moreover, I upgraded the bolts to be even beefier.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out and see what I get for bolts. I did end up ordering them.

I ended up realizing that with my recent build, I am planning to push this more in the dirt than ever before. So might as well address a potential issue now.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

It’s a fairly low cost option if you need to be yanked out of mud/sand which is when they really yank you hard.

 

[VSPro9]

just giving an update, have been in siver lake sand dunes several times now and have pulled out f150s/jeeps high centered on the dunes with no issues using the front hooks. no running start of course. inspected afterward for any damage etc and they are solid.