To start off this is a temporary thing. As I will be installing a JCR front bumper in the winter of next year with d-rings already welded on. I am doing this because i will start to do more wheeling in the summer/fall months. As well as I do a lot of kayak fishing and my jeep is my transport if i'm fishing on my own. I have seen threads for installing newer tow hooks to 97-01 xjs but never one for anything older than a 96. Just looking for a how to or a easy way to install tow hooks or something similar. I contemplated doing some drilling into the bumper itself to weld on a two d-rings and throw some shackles on but would that compromise the strength of the bumper? Thanks for any and all help!

 

Do NOT attach tow hooks or D-rings to the bumper.

You will need tow hook brackets that tie into the unibody. Several places make them.

 

Thats the exact input i needed. All the websites i have looked for tow hook kits or to install tow hooks are all for 97 xjs and up. Do you know of any place that offers them for a 93?

 

I've got these tow hook brackets on my '96.
http://custom4x4fabrication.com/recovery.html

 

Second that. IIRC those are exactly like the factory brackets so there is no need for drilling or anything like that just bolts right in.

 

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/11069.html

There is also this one if you want something with a little more beef.

 

It looks as though the ironrockoffroad one also just bolts right in? But for guaranteed strength would this one be better than just putting the tow hooks onto the unibody like the 4x4 website one?

 

From what I was looking at it also ties both sides together with the bar, which should help distribute any forces to both sides of the rails instead of just one. That would give either tow hook double the points of attachment to the rails in theory.

 

What you need is a front mounted receiver hitch that you can place a receiver with a D-Ring adapter on it into it for recovery, very strong and weight is on both frame rails where it should be.

 

This is what I did.

 

I vote front reciever hitch as well.

 

Ive got the same for the rear. Completely reliable and strong. Does anyone know of a build thread or a video that would show installing it? And could i do any front receiver?

 

I was also looking at the tow hook brackets as a cheap way to get some recovery points on the front end.

I think this would be an excellent choice if you were ok with ditching the front bumper.

http://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/stub...erokee-xj.html

It includes the unibody tie ins. Seems like a heck of a deal, 129 bucks or 99 if you want to weld it up yourself.

 

I put these on my 92; for $11 more I would go with the front hitch;Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
Draw-Tite Front Hitch. http://www.etrailer.com/p-65009.html

 

Sadly im not a huge fan of taking the stock bumper off for a stubby one. If it was going to be permanent than for sure! But this is only temporary until i get the brand new bumper on which could be 2 months from now or next year lol

I really like the etrailer idea of attaching it under the bumper. I think it is going to be the way i go. For that price its a heck of a deal and i could still use it to tie down the front of my kayak when i go fishing or be used for recovery when wheeling!