Kinetic Rope or Traction Boards?

I actually did find a group but they require a front recovery point. Which is a problem. I can’t find any compatible options for early first gens. 4Crawler doesn’t make them anymore and ARB doesn’t list 1997 as a compatible year. I couldn’t even find any demon brackets for first gens, and read those are mostly for show anyway. Surely there has to be another option for front recovery points but there’s very little information around.

 

let me ask you this, do you know how to use a winch? I’m not being mean, I promise there’s a point, about the ARB.

Say you’re by yourself.
You’re stuck on a high center. There’s a tree in front of you…how do you winch out?

 

Factory hooks are for pulling onto the trailer or along flat concrete. They attach to minor frame crossmembers by 2 bolts.

ARB attached to structural parts of the frame by more bolts, are designed for "snatch" recovery and have an extra engineering element ... they are strong for pulling but will push away from the frame in a front coliision like the crumple zones.

Ask them directly if the website says "no", my advice.

 

Couldn’t tell you, lol. I don’t have a winch yet, so that’s something I haven’t read up on. But I am curious to see what you’re getting at.

Got it. So the problem with those is not *only* that they aren’t rated for recovery but are indeed mounted in on a part that is not strong enough to support recovery.
I’ll reach out to ARB and see what they say.

 

Look up “double line pull.”
When you see it it will make sense.

it’s like @RichochetRabbit said, “snatch recovery.”

When using a snatch block, you run the line out to a tree, then back to the jeep via snatch block. You attach it to a recovery point.

what this does is uses mechanical advantage and helps multiply your winches torque to get you unfucked. This is a basic recovery technique. Super common.

You would want that recovery point for the strength it provides for the reasons mentioned in post 23.


https://youtu.be/r9JC2saN8ww?si=WEGtyndouloj9noA

 

Definitely important to ask what type of situation you will need to recover from. Where I live I’ve used traction aids made for ice more than anything. Even though I have a winch and kinetic rope, the traction aids are so easy to use especially when helping someone else who might not understand recovery situations well.

Just get out there and see what you need. Get a basic tow rope and shovel and that will get you pretty dang far. Be resourceful with what you have around you (wood, gravel, other people)

 

Traction boards and a shovel have been excellent here. I also carry a kinetic strap (also a tow strap but mind the difference) and put a recovery point in the hitch. The winch option is sexy but I keep looking at the cost and weight of the winch and bumper, the cost of all the stuff you need, the maintenance, the risk. It doesn't make sense against the 0 times I've needed one so far. They're a great option but don't let anyone tell you they're the only option.

Common sense will keep you from a really bad situation. When in doubt, think it out. I'm not sure what modes the 1st gens have (ATRAC?) but if they're there, learn them. I find myself using the autoLSD more than the locker because that's all that's necessary. Everyone likes to turn their truck into Optimus Prime but a simple button press is plenty to get them out.

 

Depending on if you plan to use the recovery boards regularly or just a I might get stuck once in the next 3 years sorta thing... I'd save my money until I could buy some MaxTrax (a full set of 4 would be a great investment, but a single set to start is good). As someone mentioned before, this might be different for some areas, but here in the PNW (snow) and the dunes (not just beach, but Oregon dunes), traction boards are great. I've never used my winch for anything besides yardwork, but my Maxtrax i've used half a dozen times or more in a single day. Over their life i've easily used them 60+ times between my rig or others. Most cheaper brands can't stand up to that use, but are usually good to use at least once.

I help out with an event that does basic offroad training. A friend of mine does the recovery portion (and has been recovering vehicles for years, including for Search and Rescue) and uses his own maxtrax for people to try out during the class. They get used and abused and still work great after years. One of his SAR buddies asked to use his own boards during the class, and they got him out, but snapped in the first use. My friend usually carries a minimum of 4, but often carries 6 or 8. I carry my 4 anytime I'm heading offroad.

After Maxtrax, kinetic strap is a great piece of kit. I bought the ARB flat strap, vs the rope style, as it was much cheaper. It's been used a handful of times and I'm happy to have it.

 

If you are off-roading solo a shovel, traction boards and winch with proper accessories are needed. And a satellite communication device with rescue service.

I had already dug out around the tires, used winch with traction boards. Tip, always use your straps on the traction boards, not sure I would have got them both out of the mud without the straps.
As mentioned earlier, make sure you know how to safely use your winch. I attended a class at overland expo the prior year so put the training into practice.
This was solo on the NVBDR from Oatman, AZ to Elko, NV.

 

Don't you love having to dig out Maxtrax? We ended up using a snow probe out at the dunes one day. A set had gone vertical straight down, lol. took way too long to find them!

 

They have dummy straps that you can attach to them to prevent losing them in the sand…or in this case mud.

 

It was a bitch, seriously debated leaving one there. The suction of that mud was something else.

Bypassing this is what led to me getting stuck.

 

Yes, that's why I mentioned to always use the straps in the post.

 

I always think about getting some, but both of my sets I bought used and they didn't have them.

 

You still might have to dig a little, but I think it’s worth it if you’re using traction boards that much. I sympathize with the mud though. Mud has a way of just suctioning on to things. I usually would just try to pull the boards out with vehicle once I got unstuck to save time. At the risk of breaking the leash.

 

Woah, this thread really blew up. Thank you for chiming in everyone! Seriously appreciated, this all really good info.

I did reach out to ARB and yeah, they don’t make a recovery point for early 1st gen’s.

So, follow up question. Although obviously not recommended for reasons discussed here, in a pinch, could I feasibly put soft shackles around BOTH of the front tow points, and put a rope through both of them (and yes I’m aware the hook/drivers side is prone to slipping/twisting), and have someone pull me out that way? Is that still a very bad idea, assuming I’m not ultra stuck?
Ultimately the plan is to get a plate bumper. I’m just looking for solutions in the meantime, since I’m not going to wait to go wheeling until I can afford the bumper.

 

It depends how stuck you are and how much pull is happening. If you can’t get out with lockers, then you’re stuck stuck.

If it ends up working then great. The issue is when it breaks…it breaks and becomes a projectile under load.

Since you wouldn’t be self recovering, it’s on the guy pulling you out to know the risk. Since I don’t want your toe tie downs flying at me…and you also don’t want to be stuck…you might be stuck with someone pulling you out via your lower control arm.

That said, to answer your question, they make a strap that is for two anchors. It’s called an equalizer strap. I don’t think it will make recovery any more safer though.

 

Noted. Thats about what I expected but I’m glad to know that there is supporting equipment for it. I have a really solid (and expensive) hitch with a D-ring, so hopefully I can just be pulled out backwards. But honestly I don’t plan on getting that stuck in the first place.
Still no front locker, that’s on my wishlist. I do have a rear air locker though.

 

You don't want to put a soft shackle and pull against any somewhat sharp point/edge. It concentrates all the force there and they will break. Nylon straps also, but at least there is more surface area to spread out the force. Make sure there is a radius.

I would plan the winch before front locker.

 

Also noted. Good advice, because up until now I’d planned on doing the front locker first.