Replace the hooks with loops?

[dcmdon]

I used to a fair amount of off road driving in college. That was 30 years ago. I know I'm going to be taking the family out and am trying to prepare so I don't screw up.

I am a novice, but essentially know enough to know what I don't know.

Back in college I went with a guy who had a lot of experience and a lot of strong opinions. One of his opinions was that anything with a hook was garbage. If he pulled someone out it was with shackles attached to jerk straps with loops. Nothing could fall off. Nothing could come undone and send a pound of steel back at one of the vehicles.

It seems to make sense. I've also noticed that all the aftermarket bumpers have eyelets rather than hooks.

So my questions are:

1) does anyone make something that replaces the factory tow hooks with eyes.

2) if they do, is it worth it?

3) is this "anti-hook" mindset valid?

Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[Fouts]

For me the hooks on the vehicle are fine, it was the hook at the end of the rope that posed a problem. these soft shackles by Bubba Rope are great.

 

[TomH]

Shackles are better than hooks, in my opinion.

 

[sharpsicle]

They're both fine if you use them right. Most of the accidents I've seen are from misuse/bad setups/bad or wrong tools/etc.

 

[hjdca]

I used to a fair amount of off road driving in college. That was 30 years ago. I know I'm going to be taking the family out and am trying to prepare so I don't screw up.

I am a novice, but essentially know enough to know what I don't know.

Back in college I went with a guy who had a lot of experience and a lot of strong opinions. One of his opinions was that anything with a hook was garbage. If he pulled someone out it was with shackles attached to jerk straps with loops. Nothing could fall off. Nothing could come undone and send a pound of steel back at one of the vehicles.

It seems to make sense. I've also noticed that all the aftermarket bumpers have eyelets rather than hooks.

So my questions are:

1) does anyone make something that replaces the factory tow hooks with eyes.

2) if they do, is it worth it?

3) is this "anti-hook" mindset valid?

Thanks.

On the Gladiator, I went with soft shackles. I probably have 4 or 5 of them in my truck. If you have the steel Jeep bumper, you can close up the hooks by adding a Warn Bull bar. The Warn bull bar converts the hooks to loops by closing up the open end of the hook. Here is a pic.

 

[Gvsukids]

On the Gladiator, I went with soft shackles. I probably have 4 or 5 of them in my truck. If you have the steel Jeep bumper, you can close up the hooks by adding a Warn Bull bar. The Warn bull bar converts the hooks to loops by closing up the open end of the hook. Here is a pic.

Do you use your hooks as a winch point for recovery?

 

[hjdca]

Do you use your hooks as a winch point for recovery?

I have not had to recover my truck yet, but, I have winched out another guy with my soft shackles and I really like them. If I had to use my winch pulley to double my pulling power, yes, I would hook up with soft shackles to the bumper hook. If someone had to pull me out, I would not hesitate to use the bumper hooks with soft shackles. If you use hard shackles on those hooks, you will probably chip the paint off those hooks.

 

[TxSmitty]

Metalcloak has some that replace the rear hooks, but the reviews show that they won't work with a stock bumper.
Making something like this just a little longer would be pretty easy. Also I would turn it where the shackle pin hole is horizontal not vertical.

 

[Kindafearless]

There are ways you can use velcro straps like these to keep your soft shackles and ropes attached from mild jerking caused by tension release.

https://factor55.com/product/strap-wraps/

That said, I've been playing with ideas to replace the rear hooks with d-ring mounts (front is already has d-ring mounts from aftermarket bumper). Been super tempted to weld something like this into the rear frame. I also like projects and I'm not afraid to cut/weld on my truck. Don't have a finished solution yet though!

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/products/d-ring-shackle-mounts-weld-thru

 

[hjdca]

There are ways you can use velcro straps like these to keep your soft shackles and ropes attached from mild jerking caused by tension release.

https://factor55.com/product/strap-wraps/

That said, I've been playing with ideas to replace the rear hooks with d-ring mounts (front is already has d-ring mounts from aftermarket bumper). Been super tempted to weld something like this into the rear frame. I also like projects and I'm not afraid to cut/weld on my truck. Don't have a finished solution yet though!

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/products/d-ring-shackle-mounts-weld-thru

Good point. I am using those Factor 55 straps to cinch down my tree saver strap for storage. They are seriously thick useful straps. An order of magnitude difference than the cheap velcro straps you find online.

 

[dcmdon]

It sounds like soft shackles with some velcro straps holding them onto the hooks are the easy solution.

Though nobody mentioned it, taking a couple of wraps around the hook with the soft shackle couldn't hurt either.

I'm just surprised that nobody makes a replacement hook but with an eyelet. It would seem super straight forward and useful.

 

[CFLgladiator]

I think maximus 3 makes add on hooks for the front that people also use for flat towing with their RVs. I considered adding it when I install a winch but not sure I want to cut the bumper

 

[RustySeatbelt]

I think maximus 3 makes add on hooks for the front that people also use for flat towing with their RVs. I considered adding it when I install a winch but not sure I want to cut the bumper

Are you planning to install them for recovery points to replace the hooks? I don't believe those are recovery rated. You might want to contact them to confirm, but they appear to be for tow only.

 

[Levi.Butler]

These look like the best aftermarket option. --> https://www.hkoffroad.com/products/jeep-wrangler-jl-jt-shackle-tab-kit-for-stock-rubicon-bumpers

I may have to get some on order as well.

 

[SPED1]

https://frogfab.com/jk/jk-oem-front-bumper-clevis
I have wanting for these! Although you lose the crush cans and would cause a ton of damage in an accident on both vehicles......

Sponsored