CTjeeper16 wrote: First is regarding a come-along. My buddy has used one before to get unstuck (he's got a 97 XJ), but I've read mixed reviews of them online. I will not buy an ARB and winch, I simply dont go out enough to justify that purchase.
I agree with you on the winch purchase. I would stretch to say that winches are mostly just for looks, and there's nothing that a winch can do that a lot of careful shovelling, prying, and the use of another vehicle with a tow strap or a manual winch (comealong) can't do. I would say that if you intend to go offroad anytime without another vehicle, definitely get a comealong.
Quote: I also dont have tow hooks yet, so what options would/do i have to hook up anything to get unstuck? So is a Come-along worth it or not?
Realistically, I would not bother getting a comealong before getting tow hooks. A comealong needs to hook onto something, and if that something isn't the frame, it's asking for trouble.
That being said, it is still, of course, possible to recover a vehicle without tow hooks. Sometimes it involves looping around an A-Arm or around an axle. A dangerous and scary idea, in my opinion. I'd much rather have a tow hook rip off than my axle.
As I see it, the recovery point options for the front:
- Mopar front hooks
- fab up some hooks or shackles
- Hitch in the front
Options for the rear:
- hitch
- mopar hook
Quote: Second, I'm very intrigued by reading about alternatives to the Mopar front tow hooks. Anyone in NE have any experience with this?
My KJ came with the front towhooks, but I would make a guess that installing a non-mopar towhook WILL require taking off the bumper, drilling some holes, and bolting something to the frame. It may also require fabrication of a bracket to hold it. If you are willing to put the time into it to take off the bumper and fab it up, I say go for it! I think my favorite thus far is the dual shackle mount in the front that I saw somebody with. I like the look of that much better than the towhooks, and they are probably more versatile as well. It will require some ingenuity, though.
Quote: Finally, I've already put on skids, but what else is a vital add on to the KJ? I'm trying get an idea of what I still need to do.
Just skids and hooks will be a good start. Job 1 is preventing vehicle damage, so that's the skids and rock rails. Tow hooks prevent vehicle damage as well, because you WILL get stuck at one point or another. The easier it is to get you un-stuck the less chance there is for something to break in the recovery process.
I suggest the next purchase after that be a CB radio. If you go on any group rides, you'll be doing a lot of radioing between rigs, and it's all part of the experience.
Once you go on a few trails you'll get an idea of what you really need. You'll bottom out on a few rocks and hear the skid plates ring and decide you want a lift. Or you'll lose traction climbing and decide you want some better tires. Or maybe you'll browse the forums and decide you want a roof basket and some more lights  In any case, with just the hooks and skids, you can definitely have a good time.
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skids are very very important gotta protect everything you can which include front diff,engine,tranny,transfer case,& gas tank wouldn't hurt to get a ring for the rear diff either,I have the mopar hooks also haven't had to use them yet luckily,but an alternative is a front hitch which will require removal of the front facia for install,another good recovery point would be in the rear either a hitch or mopar tow hook I have a hitch & purchased a d-ring shackle by Warn that fits my hitch so incase you can't get moving forward you can get pulled in reverse,good tires are also a plus but the stock goodyears are ok depending on what they are & you should always bring a friend just incase,& a tow strap would be a benefit also but not with the metal hooks a little dangerous
You should have been out with us today. It was a great time. Our group used one...twice.
