That is the oddest contraption I've ever seen

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Have fun out there.

2003 Cactus Green Renegade w/ NP231 & NV3550
Al's 4th Gen UCAs
Custom 3.5" Lift
Rear DTT
Spidertraxed 245/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

Yeah I agree, lose the hitch receiver piece and keep the recovery strap.

Even if it wasn't welded it doesn't look sturdy enough. Pulling a 4500 lb Libby on a level surface directly is one thing but tugging a stuck Libby from mud at an angle puts a whole lot more strain on the tow point & recovery strap.

Another thing that scares me is when people use a hitch ball as a tow point.

I use a class III hitch receiver with a shackle receiver for a tow point and to be honest I'm often the one doing the pulling/tugging.

much sturdier

available from http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=REC101&Category_Code=rec_hit

Get some good shackles and a hitch reciever(a 2" one) and call it a day.I use my WARN reciever shackle mounted in my RL bumber and/or 7 1/2ton rated alloy shackles and 20,000lbs strap(I have a 30,000lbs strap as backup),works for most stuckes but if I need to I use my 9500lbs rated WARN winch.

The hitch is welded,if you have a good weld you will be fine.

Oh and I have seen more tow hooks bend/break then I have seen shackles fail and I have recovered much bigger and heavier vehicles then most(not with my KJ,though I did recover a lifted F-250 with my winch) in the military with chains(no such thing as a strap in the military) and shackles(no tow hooks period on tactical vehicles,only shackles).The biggest/heaviest was a "Super HETT" with the Hett trailer with a burnt up Bradley on it,total weight was around 140,000lbs using just a 30' 5/8" chain and some 50ton rated shackles(they didn't break,the biggest we had),had the Hemmit wrecker tied to a amored D9 dozer(about 180,000lbs+,broke down but a great anchor point) with the 30ton winch pulling in tandum.

Done deal already. I got a hitch shackle pretty much identical to the one in the pic and I cut the 1 1/4" hitch off and kept the strap. I am good to go now.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

They make adapter sleeves.

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-08 KK Bright Silver Met.
Mopar front tow hooks,
Mopar Skids
Curt class III/IV hitch, and wireing
O.K. Offroad steel reciever shackle
Zune 80 gig for the tunes,
(Do Jeep slush mats count?)
Life size Amstaff terrier bobble head in rear seat

So here it is, the replacement to the cheesy yellow receiver. Much better.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

Which brings up a concern..How trusting of our OEM tow hooks should we be then? I just have the factory front ones..but it's an '03 So I'm wondering how quickly, if at all, do they deteriorate and need to be replaced so as not to snap or bend? (hmmmm)

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Black '03 Renegade
custom 3"OME MD lift w/strut plates
245/70/16 General Grabber AT2s
Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers
K&N Intake, Flowmaster 50 Delta Flow
Al's a-arms gen4.5, Moog LBJs
custom fishing pole roof rack
front hooks & dual hitch receivers

I just removed my rear tow hook (off my 05) and it was a little worn from use but there were zero structural flaws. I sold it so I sure hope it stays as strong as advertised. Otherwise sorry jerseykj!

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

That thing is a TOW strap, not a recovery strap. Which means it isn't designed to stretch at all.
So you'd break that stuff at some point.

You all should look into recovery straps that are designed to stretch anywhere from 10-20%. So much safer and work 10 times better.
Yes, ARB makes great ones, but you don't have to use ours. That cheapo yellow webbing will kill someone in a heartbeat if you're not careful with it. Look for a good recovery strap that is made of Nylon with reinforced loops.

http://www.arbusa.com/tow_straps_recovery_gear.php

Aloha!

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Seth Green
Western Sales Manager
ARB USA
Used to have: 02 Rene w/ SFA Swap. Sold... I'll miss her
New Baby is an 07 1500 Dodge HEMI
6" Lift and lots O Go Fast parts

Actually this is a recovery strap. It may not be a beefy strap with reinforced loops but it is a recovery strap. It is designed for the webbing to fail completely at 12,900 lbs. and at 10,000 lbs. the webbing begins to separate at the stitching and thus by the time you reach the limit of 12, 900 it doesn't snap. It simply falls to the ground. It is a gradual process and not a violent snap that will harm anyone.

I also read a test done by an independent 4wd shop tested all the big boys to see how they held up. ARB's 11,000 lbs. strap failed at under 8,000 and was outperformed by Mean Green, Kaymar, Megastrap and Bushranger, all of which were 8,000 lbs. straps. Kaymar and Bushranger were the only ones in the test that exceeded their posted weight limit both wet and dry! That being said. The ARB will get you unstuck, but it failed by almost 20% or something. That really bums me out because I was going to buy an ARB but maybe not now.

I am however going to buy an additional recovery strap. Better safe than sorry. Not sure which I will buy though. Still looking around.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

Speaking of recovery straps, which is the best recommended size (ie; 2" or 3"), and what length (20ft, 30ft)? I have a Pro Comp, 2" x 20'ft. Is this okay, or should I go bigger?

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Just so everyone knows, that strap I bought sucked hard. It started to come apart after I had towed my brother's CJ twice. Avoid that puppy at all costs. Supposed recovery strap my A...

Now I use a 3" X 30' Superwinch Recovery strap rated at 30,000 lbs. Never had to use it yet but we'll see.

As far as your strap goes Crossbones, that should be fine, The length is a preference thing and the weight should be enough to get out of almost any situation. I went longer because if I ever have to pull someone out of the mud I don't want to have to start off driving out of the mud to get them out. The extra length is just insurance for me.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

Thanks. I was pulled out of a pretty good size rut today by a guy who used his 3" 30ft strap. I'm thinking maybe I should buy one too and keep my 2" x 20' footer as a back up.

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Not a bad idea. Daisy chain pulls are know to happen now and again as well so more than one never hurts.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

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Have fun out there.

2003 Cactus Green Renegade w/ NP231 & NV3550
Al's 4th Gen UCAs
Custom 3.5" Lift
Rear DTT
Spidertraxed 245/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

I ordered a Pro Comp 3x30 (rated @ 30K). Figured I had to match 'em - Just kidding about that. As long as they do the job when needed, I'll be happy.

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Good choice, they make one of the most trusted straps out there.

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My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

I carry a 20 and a 30 both are rated at 30K. Short one for a quick little jerk and the longer so I don't have to get my toes muddy!

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

That makes me feel good about my choice.


That's what it's all about! ha, ha.

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

May not have an ARB bumper But I have an ARB strap 30'

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“You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it."

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”