Need Ideas for attaching tow shackles to front end.

I need some ideas. I have a brush guard and factory skid plates on my D-cab. The brush guard uses the two bolts that go up through the bottom of the frame for the tow hook on the passenger side and through the frame on the driver side. The problem is, on the driver side, one of the nuts that is welded inside the frame came loose. A buddy helped me drill and tap the frame to accept a bigger bolt. This is fine for my current set up, but I would like to make and attach some tow shackles to the frame. Everything I have seen online uses the bolts I am currently using. I am afraid of using them now, as the bolt that is threaded through the frame doesn't have enough threads to hold a tow shackle. Has anyone ran into this problem before?

I have considered welding some 1/4" thick angle iron to the frame, drill it, and tap the holes. This is give me some good threads. What other options are there?

 

bump--anyone?

 

Get rid of the damage multiplier-i mean brush guard- and get an offroad bumper meant for winching/recovery??

 

Even with an off-road bumper, don't they bolt to the frame in the same locations I am having issues with?

As for the brush guard, it may be a damage multiplier, but it has prevented my truck from being totaled when hitting deer. I realize it isn't ideal for wheeling/recovery, but it (I should say they, as I am on guard #3) has served its purpose.

 

This.

Get rid of the flimsy piece of metal and get some real protection (Elite or ARB are my favourite). You'll end up paying less in the end if you get in an accident.

You can also use them for recovery (or being recovered...hah) and not worry about endangering your truck. I have 2 4T shackles on my ARB and I have used them countless times in the past 2 years.

Sorry we can't be helpful in the way you're asking...but a lot of TW members really care about their trucks and therefore don't skimp on costs when it comes to modifications (see: Body Lifts, Spacers, etc).

 

This ^^^ This VVV

 

^^^ seconded! I went from a brush guard to this.

 

Okay guys, I understand an aftermarket bumper is the best route to go. My problem is knowing if I can mount one up due to issues with factory attach points.

I was looking at the instructions for ARB and Elite, but would like someone to verify what I read. If I read it right, you remove the crush cans from the front of the frame and replace them with a bracket from ARB (Elite threads a bolt where the crush cans were). What do you do with the existing holes/welded nuts on the underside of the frame? I am referring to the 2 bolts on each side of the underside of the frame. On the right side, they bolt the factory tow hook to the frame. The left side does not have anything, and uses shorter bolts.

This is where I have a problem. One of those nuts broke loose inside the frame and we just threaded the frame hole itself. If I have to reuse the threaded frame hole, it is not a good attach point for anything, including an aftermarket bumper. If I need to attach to these bolts, would I be better off drilling through the top side of the frame and running bolts all the way through the frame, or should I just weld some thick steel to the bottom side of the frame and thread it?

 

For the Elite bumper those are more mounting points. So you would end up with 5 on each side. If just one bolt is screwed up i doubt it'll be a problem.

 

I went from this:


to this!


Honestly on a brush guard there are no good mounting points, the metal is flimsy, and bends or breaks (yes they might help occasionally on the trail but go for a steel bumper)

The only real anchor point on the front is the tow loop on the driver side. The tie down on the passenger side of the frame is not designed for any type of tugging.

For bumpers it comes down to what your personal preference is, look around, find what you like and then add it to the truck!

 

a welder

 

My old truck had that issue too when I went to install my ARB bar. The nut on one side inside the frame broke loose. I just cut the frame end off to get to it and welded the shit out of it and it was all good. So that is one way to get it to work.

 

I welded these 15000 lb d-rings from attwoods.