Hi all,

So this past weekend my buddy and I were off roading in CT. My buddies JK got stuck and I was unable to pull him out because I was lacking tow points. We tried wrapping a strap under the rear bumper and around the bumper bracket. I bent the hell out of the bumper but not the bracket.

Here is my question:

Can I cut a hole out of the bumper and attach a tow hook to the bumper bracket without risking frame damage?





It looks like after market rear bumpers bolt to the same drill holes and I assume that it is possible.

Please let me know your feelings on this.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

It will rip right through that stock bumper bracket the first time you use it

 

Yep

Either a tow hitch or custom bumper unless someone knows another way.

 

Get a hitch instead.....

 

A Class III Hitch and the nut strips if your XJ doesn't have them already. A good rear (Aftermarket) bumper uses all of these mounting holes plus the original bumper mounts. Then they will have attachment points (2) for D-Rings.

With the hitch you then get a receiver with a D-Ring attachment point to it, then you have a recovery point. They are required on about every organized trail rides around the country, front and rear. Along with tow straps or tow ropes (NO Chains Allowed) on most rides and in parks in this area anyway for safety.

 

listen to these guys.
there is a video floating around here with improperly mounted hooks thatcan and most likely will cause severe injury and possibly even death.

recovery isn't something you want to halfass.

 

No

 

This!
This!

A 1001 times...THIS!!!!!

 

Hit the junkyard and get you a trailer hitch for it.Mounting them tow hooks like that just sounds like a really bad idea.Those bumper brackets are pretty much sheet metal pull hard on that those hooks will let go.