xj_junkie

How should i go about mounting my front tow hooks. I was thinking about drilling holes and mounting them to the front of the frame rail. I'm not sure if its gonna be strong enough. I could put a back plate. Or should i just buy a set of brackets.

mike37

if you use a plate on both sides it will be good both sides will distribute the load
if you don't the bolts will rip out

BudgetXJ

Get some brackets. The XJ "frame" is way to thin and weak to take any kind of a recovery pull with only 2 bolts holding the hooks on. They will get torn out of the frame. The XJ came with stock brackets that work if you can find them or you can go for something like the ones they offer here:

http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/recovery.html

mike37

you are still just bolting that bracket to the thin and weak xj frame
its just a mounting plate that disperses the load
you can get the same results with some simple baking plates

BudgetXJ

Obviously yeah. You just want to have something there to disperse the load. Unless you are going to weld the backing plates you are talking about to the frame though, you'll probably want to use more than 2 bolts and sleeve the holes.

JeepingDan

I would go with back plates

BuckB91XJ

Mounting the towhooks at the front of the unibody framerails is the perfect spot however you do need to get a set of mounting plates. They distribute the load of being towed over more of the framerail than just the end. Drilling just two holes in the end of the framerail where the towhooks are won't cut it.

xj_junkie

That's kind of the answers that i expected. I just wanted another opinion. I think that's how i'm gonna do it. Drill and mount them to the frame rail with a backing plate. I could buy a bracket but its the same concept and this way is cheaper.

xj_junkie

Thanks Guys

93gc40

The purpose of brackets is load distribution and frame protection. If you mount the hook directly to the frame, even if you use a backing plate, the frame carries all of the load, your just making it thicker. Brackets on the other hand carrie part of the load them selve and distribute part to the frame. Brackets are designed to bend or break before you bend or break the frame. by the way brackets are also mounted with backing plates.
You might as wll just mount to the stock bumper bracket.

2000BB6

i just inatalled my Rugged Ridge tow hooks and there great came with brackets and hardware. dnt chance it go with the whole bracket setup its much SAFER!!