Replace the hooks with loops?

[ShadowsPapa]

I can see situations to both lower and higher mounted options, as @JoseQ_80 showed. Seems like if you can get to it, lower is better because it would pull a bit straighter as opposed to a higher mount that might pull down and plow a little as it pulled..
Personally I wouldn’t be that afraid of using the hooks on a straight on recovery especially if using something to take up the slack as people have mentioned.

may wife slid her Jeep down a very steep ditch, ended up parallel to the road. Had to call a tow, and he looked at the hooks, and didn’t want to pull 90 degrees to those to get her uphill.
So he wrapped a huge tree saver type strap around the front axle, along with a strap around the closest bumper hook, and pulled with both straps. That worked pretty well to swing the front around and pull it uphill.
I wasn’t thrilled about pulling from the axle but didn’t have much option. Seems to drive fine since then!

The hooks being above the frame rail like they are means all of the stress is trying to bend the hook, it's applied to the body of the hook. It's like a chunk of metal clamped in a vise and then you pull back on the top part sticking out.
But if it's a direct pull you are relying on the tensile strength of the hook and bolts.
These hooks are beefy and if forged, would be quite strong.

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[DocMike]

New to all this. Fascinated by the science behind it.
I have a flatlink for hooks. I have used my hooks for light recovery.
Recovery strap over the hook and pulling a high centered JT off a rock.

Used the winch on a straight line pull to a rear hitch soft shackle on a JT stuck in mud.

Ordered these:

https://www.hkoffroad.com/collectio...-jt-shackle-tab-kit-for-stock-rubicon-bumpers


Prefer closed systems when possible.
Subbing this discussion....look forward to learning more.

I think you're overlooking one of the biggest differences: stock hooks come up from the bumper, eyelets/shackles come out from the bumper. For that reason alone I'm not surprised that there is no "factory replacement" to swap the hooks out for eyelets. The leverage point is all wrong for that type of use.

Look at the factory rear bumper hook. That is how you want eyelets to be mounted. In line, facing outward (not upward).

Hooks in that location on the front are fine for lighter duty. If you want eyelets and shackles for heavier use, you need to mount them somewhere else anyway, so factory location replacement makes no sense. You don't want the force that shackles are made to work with to be translating through a 90 degree mount point. You want it linear to the direction of force being applied.

This is the same reason recovery is recommended through the rear hook, not the fronts. The fronts are not going to be able to hold up to as much force as the rear one.

 

[ecidiego]

Piecing together a Factory 55 kit, this server me well using only factory hooks?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

New to all this. Fascinated by the science behind it.
I have a flatlink for hooks. I have used my hooks for light recovery.
Recovery strap over the hook and pulling a high centered JT off a rock.

Used the winch on a straight line pull to a rear hitch soft shackle on a JT stuck in mud.

Ordered these:

https://www.hkoffroad.com/collectio...-jt-shackle-tab-kit-for-stock-rubicon-bumpers


Prefer closed systems when possible.
Subbing this discussion....look forward to learning more.

Gotta say - love the look of that front end. The old-school lights and all. Nicely done.

 

[DocMike]

Thank you, high praise indeed. Trying to build functional with a bit of individuality.
IMHO the mopar steel was the choice foundation. Seen a lot of great after market, but the MOPAR I love.

Gotta say - love the look of that front end. The old-school lights and all. Nicely done.

 

[jac04]

Ordered these:

https://www.hkoffroad.com/collectio...-jt-shackle-tab-kit-for-stock-rubicon-bumpers

These are an interesting design, but welding high strength Grade 8 fasteners is a bad thing to do, especially when it comes to lifting/hoisting/rigging equipment.

 

[rafaelsmith]

My JK had shackles...JT and all my other Jeeps had hooks...never had a problem with any of them.
Think there are better things to spend money on.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Why not have both...

 

[DocMike]

My thoughts exactly

Why not have both...

 

[HooliganActual]

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......

I'm happy with mine. They are pure beef.

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