Brush Guard/Tow Hooks/Front Hitch Question.

Sapien · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:27 pm

Okay, from what I understand, you can only hava a Brush guard, or a Front hitch, or the tow hooks, because they all use the tow hooks mounting points... is this right? Because I really want a Brush guard AND the recovery points, (either a front mount hitch or the factory tow hooks.)

Can I have both??

Thanks. -Nate

KJTX · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:56 pm **Posts:** 216

As far as I know, you can only have one. If you find a way to have both/all, more power to you! Short of replacing the whole front bumper, I don't think it's possible.

kevh · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:10 pm

front hitch plus a receiver d-ring shackle would give you 2 of the 3

kd4yor · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:19 pm

I gave up on the tow hooks/receiver and ordered a brush guard. It'll be in on Friday. I'm going to weld some tow hooks to it thne repianin it to match the truck and hang it out front. I'll post how it's progressing.
Pat

speleorelic · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:59 am

I have both on my 03 renegade, but it wasn't easy. The tow hooks mount to a bracket, which bolts to the frame. The brushguard mounting bracket is made to use these same holes(one is a nutsert I think). I had to modify the tow hook bracket(slotted the hole) and use a washer as a spacer in another place to get them both to fit. Now the tow hooks are about 1/4 inch away from the side of the brushguard, but almost in the stock location. I can just barely squeeze a tow strap onto the hooks. It took me hours to figure out how to modify and mount the brushguard,, and I had access to a shop with tools and a grinder.

What I should have done would be to totally remove the tow hook and bracket, then mount the brushguard. Then remove the tow hook from the stock bracket, then drill and tap a couple holes in the brushguard, right in front of where it bolts to the frame, using the tow hook holes to transfer the hole pattern. That way you can orient the tow hook in any direction and it will be out in front of the brushguard, yet still bolted very close to the frame connection,, for strength.

Here's a pic of my current setup
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/796000-796999/796305_63_full.jpg

George

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:40 am

waag claims that their brushguard will work without losing the hooks. Some others may be the same way

kd4yor · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:44 pm

I brought the bullguard home and set it in front of my truck...I hate the look.
Project dead, bar is for sale.
Pat

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:18 pm

Brush guards are neat, but I think they take a little away from the very distinct "Liberty" look.

Aside from that, in a minor parking lot fender bender without the brush guard you'll most likely be looking at just a bumper replacement. With the brush guard you'll probably end up with a damaged grill, radiator, headlights and hood, and possibly fenders too.

I say just go with the Drawtite hitch (it has built in tow loops on each side while the hidden hitch does not) and grab a warn reciever shackle to go with it.

QuietOutdoorsman · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:52 am

FreedomKJ wrote:

Aside from that, in a minor parking lot fender bender without the brush guard you'll most likely be looking at just a bumper replacement. With the brush guard you'll probably end up with a damaged grill, radiator, headlights and hood, and possibly fenders too.

Agreed!

Now, still I got the Mopar tubular bull bar
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=166486&siteid=213923&catalogid=3104
and put it on and kept my stock front tow hooks. It mounts to the "M" bolt locations at the tow hooks, but I found the bolts long enough I could leave the tow hook mount plate on and attach the bull bar bracket over top of that. 2004 KJ Sport 4x4

cpliberty04 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:13 pm

Hi there! I'm new to the Jeep world. I have the Mopar Bull Bar on my '04 Sport and was wondering, QuietOutdoorsman, if you have a picture of your setup with the bull bar and the tow hooks. I've read that you couldn't have both. My Libby didn't come with the tow hooks but if I can use them along with the bull bar, I'll be ordering a set. Thanks!

longarm · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:50 pm

As far as worring about front end protection, why not just get something like the ARB Front bumper? That thing looks like it could take a beating.

Sapien · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:49 am

Ok, so I learned:

-Brush guards are flimsy and pretty much cosmetic in nature, because they sure dont protect the Jeep from anything that could actually cause some damage to the vehicle, and in fact can cause more problems than they solve. Which basically puts them in the same category as nerf steps...

-ARB bumpers have everything I'm looking for: front end protection, higher ground clearance, tow loops, and a good place to put some auxillary lights... Not to forget, they look fricken' swweet IMO.

-If I want the ARB, I need to put it on at the same time as the lift, so I can get the correct springs for the added weight of the bar...

Thanks everyone... -Nate

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

Se7enLC wrote:

waag claims that their brushguard will work without losing the hooks. Some others may be the same way

Jeff. this is not true as I have the Waag. The tow hook mount points cannot be used.

They even told me that I could attach straps to their brackets :roll:

I am not surprised to hear that they told you this as the fed me a bunch of BS too until I pressed to speak to one of their senior staff who admitted all kinds of things.

I wish I did more research on them before I bought these. :oops:

Let's just say, I will be removing these on a clear weekend as I feel safer without these things on. I will be looking for something else.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:48 am

There was this one guy on cardomain.com that modded a tow hook to fit a brush guard...can't seem to find his page, anyone know who i'm talking about?

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:25 pm

Sapien,
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... ght=#84140
here is a link to a picture of my 2 KJ's. the one with the bull bar is a 03 sport and I have both mopar tow hooks and a buffallo bull bar. The bull bar mounts up behind the front frame.
Example, youe front under side spoiler, there are 3 screws that hold it in place along with 2 rivets. The bull bar uses the 2 end screw post holes to mount.
This is how I was able to get away with using the mopar tow hooks and installing a bull bar.
hope this helps. If not I will take a picture tomorrow after the rain move out today.

CTjeeper16 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2006 3:57 pm

Why isnt it possible to just wrap a strap and pull the bull bar? Its mounted to the frame right?

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

CTjeeper16 wrote:

Why isnt it possible to just wrap a strap and pull the bull bar? Its mounted to the frame right?

The thin tubular bar will bend as they cannot handle the weight.

The mounts are at an awkward angle so it will apply angler pressure as the mounts 'ramp' upwards ie bending down which will not afford a solid 'grip'.

The mount points are the same for the tow hook. I am sure if you properly weld hooks to the mounts, it may afford good contact and proper connection. I have pix if u can host...

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:10 am

Sapien wrote:

Okay, from what I understand, you can only hava a Brush guard, or a Front hitch, or the tow hooks, because they all use the tow hooks mounting points... is this right? Because I really want a Brush guard AND the recovery points, (either a front mount hitch or the factory tow hooks.)

Can I have both??

Thanks. -Nate

Well, you can have a front mount hitch AND tow hooks, but you need to get the Reese Front Mount hitch with the built in tow loops, then attach some shackle hooks or grab hooks on to the tow loops like I did:

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:15 am

Sapien;

Here are a few pictures of the tow hooks and bull bar installed.
THis picture is showen with out the under spoiler. I took it off because it looks better with out it.

Here is a picture with both Mopar tow hook and the non mopar bull bar monting points. By looking at the picture, it does not look like there is room, but there is actually about a 1/2" room between the both.

Here is a pic with it all finished but you can not see the black tow hooks.

Hope this helps man....
It was kinda an easy job but it took some time. And I did not remove the bumpber at all. I bent it out some to get enough room to get my hands in to bolt the tow hooks.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:48 am

not to hijack, but how do you write on the pics to show what it is your posting about????

Brush Guard/Tow Hooks/Front Hitch Question.

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