I am looking to add some recovery points to my XJ

I plan to get a hitch for the rear.

But for the front is it better to get a front hitch or tow hooks? I read that the front hitch is stronger and adds more support opposed to the tow hooks that are able to bend / not as strong?

Also any ideas on good hitches for the rear + front / good tow hooks for the front? I've been looking around on google, just not sure whats the best to get.

 

If you have the money, go for the front hitch receiver. You will find that it is way more versatile than just recovery hooks that only have one use: Recovery. With a front hitch receiver, you can use a removable winch cradle, recovery hitch, bike rack, cargo rack, etc.

In fact, I have a custom front receiver being fabbed for my XJ right now. I got 1/4" thick angle iron re-enforced with a strip of 1/4" thick flat stock welded onto the back so it forms a triangle shape. I bought a plain hitch receiver tube to get welded into the middle of that, and I bought a new heavy duty tow bar that utilizes brackets with standard 5/8" hitch pins. The brackets will be bolted and welded on either side of the receiver tube. This way I can put my receiver-mounted winch on the front, still use my tow bar, and I can double-duty the tow bar brackets as extra front recovery points. I'll post pics of it when it's completed.

As far as a rear receiver, I don't have too much expertise on the pros and cons of different brands, but I have a Valley class III that came already on the XJ, and it has held up nicely for the three years I've had the Jeep. I haven't towed with it, but I have recovered many stuck vehicles by using it.

I found a Mile Marker front 2" hitch receiver here for $251 plus whatever shipping is:
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-wi...r/receiver.htm

 

Front hitch is more versatile, but more expensive.

You could do what I did and split the cost of a set of front hooks with another XJer. My one front tow hook cost me $40.

just food for thought.