Front Frame thingy

It sounds like what you're saying is that it is safer to put a weaker shackle in, is that really your professional opinion?

Lol.

 

I'm pretty sure the point is added strength for the frame in a crash, a place to tie the truck down during transport, and a place to attach a winch cable/tow rope.

 

I think what he is saying is he would rather break the tie down point or shackle than bend his frame

For what its worth, these were removed when i had a plow installed.

 

It is crash protection for an offset head on collision, since the bumper sides are empty plastic.

You can remove them for the ARB because the ARB bumper will protect from an offset collision by its steel design and that factory steel extension will not provide benefit over the ARB bumper.

 

These little extensions are there to detect logs and stumps hidden in weeds. They work well....

 

My point is that spot is not rated for any type of recovery point. I wouldn't pull off it period.

 

Look at that vs the ARB recovery point



The ARB is reusing three vertical bolts, two of which used to go through the factory tow hook, and then two more that are horizontally going through the frame.

No way I'd use the aluminum doohickies for anything involving any sort of force at all.

 

Just curious, is the factory tow hook good for recovery? Anyone have any issues with it?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tow-hook-broke.592562/

Probably not good for recovery...

 

Good info, thanks

 

I recall someone came up with some plastic plugs to put in there after you remove the protruding pieces. Does anyone know where to get those??

 

Well that makes a lot more sense, thank you.

I'm positive breaking the tie down point or the shackle is a hell of a lot more dangerous than bending the frame, less expensive yes, but dangerous hell no.

 

Finally I've read a logical explanation for the existence of that part.

My early 2006 doesn't have them and I didn't see a place to attach them before I cut out that entire crossmember (like you did).

 

Then why did Toyota put a recovery point on it?

Is the crossmember weak? Yes. Can it be bent by yanking a stuck truck out? Yes. Can a stuck truck be intelligently winched out using that point without it bending? I have no factual basis for this but I'd bet it would definitely not bend using a winch.

 

And that cool AF looking ARB bumper mount will bend the frame of the truck in an accident quicker than you can say "well that looks expensive". At least the stock stuff will not waste the frame in a minor accident, which is one of the reasons why Toyota made it the way it's made.

 

I wasn’t considering safety, just strength but good point. I think a good anology is a circuit breaker that’s rated more than the line. House on fire = bent frame

 

That guy didn't use the recovery hook, he used the tie down hook on the opposite side. Lol. Nce try though.

 

Lols

 

The two people debating their professional knowledge of their jobs were discussing safety concerning the equipment they use at their job. I think the guy that would rather have the tie down point break instead of bending the frame is absolutely nucking futs, I think the best solution would be to not bend the frame and not break the tie down points, lol.

 

If your bending frames you need to re think your recovery methods.