i have a tow eye under a facscia plate in stock bumper. i have been using this as a front recovery point. while i am sure it isn't the optimal recovery point, has anyone seen or heard of issues using this recovery point on the trail?
D2 front recovery from tow eye hook
- Thread starter jimzigg
- Start date
You need a real recovery point. Just because you have been lucky thus far does not change that fact.
I'd say very lucky it hasn't flown off and gone through someone's windshield, grill, head, or whatever.
The weld on tie-downs on the bottom of the frame aren't safe, but the recovery point that is bolted to the frame and accessible through the air dam doesn't look like a problem. 1/4" steel bolted on with at least grade 8 hardware.
I might be wrong, but I've been reading dweb for a while and I don't ever remember a discussion about the two. What I remember was 2-3 years ago, when there were about 3 DII owners on dweb, seeing a DII guy ask about using the factory recovery point and the D1 guys saying, "No, no, no - that's a tie down not a recovery point"... at which point the standard answer entered into the collective dweb memory for both D1s and D2s. I took my recovery point off years ago when I put on an aftermarket bumper, but my memory is that the D2 has both tie downs front/rear and a bolt on recovery point on the front.
Craig
I might be wrong, but I've been reading dweb for a while and I don't ever remember a discussion about the two. What I remember was 2-3 years ago, when there were about 3 DII owners on dweb, seeing a DII guy ask about using the factory recovery point and the D1 guys saying, "No, no, no - that's a tie down not a recovery point"... at which point the standard answer entered into the collective dweb memory for both D1s and D2s. I took my recovery point off years ago when I put on an aftermarket bumper, but my memory is that the D2 has both tie downs front/rear and a bolt on recovery point on the front.
Craig
craig said:
You are correct. It has both. I have used the front recovery point with success. If you use it often you will lose the cover panel. If you check the owners manual it may clear up the issue.
To just add a recovery point to a stock DII bumper is nearly if not impossible. The recovery point you are talking about is attached to the frame with the bumper bolts.
It does indeed have a front recovery point and separate lashdowns, and it is as described bolted to the front left frame on my 03. I use it now, carefully, as I have not upgraded to an RTE front bumper. I have been recovered once and winched once, no issues. When I was winched out at the pipeline, several more experienced LR owners commented on the fact that it was safe to use under the circumstances that it was indeed, bolted top and botton to the frame. :twocents:
traveltoad said:
Have you personally seen one break off? I doubt it.
I work at a dealership, and one truck that came in had the recovery point broken off by a tow truck driver. From what I remember he winched the truck down from the recovery point and when he was going down the highway he hit a bump and the shock load broke it. It broke at the welds.
thanks for feedback. there does seem to be some confusion between the tie downs and this tow hook i am referring to. if there are actual or documented instances where they have proven unsafe i would lean toward figuring out some alternative short of buying a new bumper. jate rings have been mentioned but i am not sure thay are compatible with my SD steeering guard.
From the D2 owners manual / rave:
I would only use it as an off road recovery point if was no other way to recover the truck.
I would only use it as an off road recovery point if was no other way to recover the truck.