A few questions about recovery

Krayziekid

Krayziekid

New member
Hey everyone, so as my 4runner begins to come together and I start experiencing more and more off-roaring, recovery and knowledge about it becomes more important. So as of now, my recovery kit consists of my bare hands, but I am planning on picking up a few things to build a decent kit. With that said, I have a couple of questions.

So far, I am planning on picking up a tow strap, recovery strap, a couple of D shackles, a hitch d shackle, and a shovel. That'll be a pretty decent starting kit for me to work with until I get more serious with off-roaring and such.

And here are where the questions start. First off, is there anything serious that I am missing off of my initial list? Any suggestions that are "must-haves" would be great.

My second question revolves around the recovery points. I know people say that you should always pull from the back (which is why I am getting a receiver shackle) when you are helping someone else, but what about if you are the one being pulled. Should you always try to get pulled forward as opposed to backwards?

As for front recovery points, I know there are two hoops on either side. I am assuming you use shackles and a strap to pull from there if you really must. Do you just leave your shackles on the car, or do you take them off and only use them when you need them?

Finally, I am a little concerned about my current frame hooks as they are a tad bit rusty. Are there other replacement hooks I could use or weld on or something in order to get a more robust frame-mounted recovery point?

Sorry about all the questions! I appreciate any advice!
 
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Krayziekid said:
Hey everyone, so as my 4runner begins to come together and I start experiencing more and more off-roaring, recovery and knowledge about it becomes more important. So as of now, my recovery kit consists of my bare hands, but I am planning on picking up a few things to build a decent kit. With that said, I have a couple of questions.

So far, I am planning on picking up a tow strap, recovery strap, a couple of D shackles, a hitch d shackle, and a shovel. That'll be a pretty decent starting kit for me to work with until I get more serious with off-roaring and such.

And here are where the questions start. First off, is there anything serious that I am missing off of my initial list? Any suggestions that are "must-haves" would be great.

My second question revolves around the recovery points. I know people say that you should always pull from the back (which is why I am getting a receiver shackle) when you are helping someone else, but what about if you are the one being pulled. Should you always try to get pulled forward as opposed to backwards?

As for front recovery points, I know there are two hoops on either side. I am assuming you use shackles and a strap to pull from there if you really must. Do you just leave your shackles on the car, or do you take them off and only use them when you need them?

Finally, I am a little concerned about my current frame hooks as they are a tad bit rusty. Are there other replacement hooks I could use or weld on or something in order to get a more robust frame-mounted recovery point?

Sorry about all the questions! I appreciate any advice!
Click to expand...

This looks like a good source: Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive

Some more good stuff here: 4WD Driving Skills & Rules @ ExplorOz Articles

This looks like it would be fun... if you lived in Australia, LoL: Toyota Land Cruiser Club Sydney NSW - 4WD Driver Training Courses
 
-How 'bout a winch ?
-I can't emphasize enough the value and usefulness of a good shovel .
-I've never heard of, or experienced, any issues with being recovered forward or backward.
-For the receiver shackle, someone makes a long cylinder lock w/ a key that should keep the receiver from disappearing . I would keep the shackles themselves in the truck until needed....
 
forgot I have a pic of my receiver lock ...

IMG_1748_zps4c7f22d5.jpg~original


IMG_1750_zps075cdf15.jpg~original
 
v_man said:
forgot I have a pic of my receiver lock ...

IMG_1748_zps4c7f22d5.jpg~original


IMG_1750_zps075cdf15.jpg~original
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Thanks for all of the tips. I don't think a winch is viable right now. Maybe in the way way future with a steel bumper or something, but as of now, I don't think I want to invest in a winch. Plus I don't see my self doing crazy off roadies right now. I think just straps will work for now. Good to know those recovery points will work too

And good point on the shackles. I might leave one on cause it looks badass lol. :D

Thanks for all your help! I might look for one of those lock things!
 
Krayziekid said:
And here are where the questions start. First off, is there anything serious that I am missing off of my initial list? Any suggestions that are "must-haves" would be great.
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You should also add a snatch block to your recovery gear.
 

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I know they beefed up the front recovery loops sometime during the 4th gen run and the old ones were a bit wimpy for recovery, especially if rusted.

If you leave shackles attached, they will be noisy, fall off from vibration, and/or be stolen.

As far as pulling front or rear - doesn't matter much if you are the one stuck. If you are trying to pull someone out, you want to be driving forward if at all possible, as your ring & pinions in the diffs are stronger going forward.
 
Jeremy556 said:
I know they beefed up the front recovery loops sometime during the 4th gen run and the old ones were a bit wimpy for recovery, especially if rusted.

If you leave shackles attached, they will be noisy, fall off from vibration, and/or be stolen.

As far as pulling front or rear - doesn't matter much if you are the one stuck. If you are trying to pull someone out, you want to be driving forward if at all possible, as your ring & pinions in the diffs are stronger going forward.
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Ok good to know. I'll keep the shackles off until I am on the trails.

Yea I have a 2003, so beginning of the 4th gen. That, combined with the rust is making me a bit nervous. Might try to clean them up and see how bad they really are. That's why I am looking at other solutions.

Good to know about pulling. Thanks for all of the advice.
 
Krayziekid said:
I've read about those, but can't fully figure out what they are for. Mine giving me a dumbed down version?
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It is a pulley. It can be used to change direction of pull, increase winch line pay out, and increase pulling power by anchoring to the pulling vehicle with a winch recovery. I carry 2 of them. Pretty useless without a winch, though.
 
Jeremy556 said:
It is a pulley. It can be used to change direction of pull, increase winch line pay out, and increase pulling power by anchoring to the pulling vehicle with a winch recovery. I carry 2 of them. Pretty useless without a winch, though.
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So I don't really need one without a winch? Since I don't plan on getting a winch for a long time, I think I'll keep it on the back burner for now. Thanks!
 
In the first link I posted, there is an "US Army Recovery Manual". They also explain the Snatch Block on page 22-3.

Tons of info in that thread. Just gotta read.

Really like the single wheel winch.
 
Krayziekid said:
So I don't really need one without a winch? Since I don't plan on getting a winch for a long time, I think I'll keep it on the back burner for now. Thanks!
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Keep in mind that while you don't have a winch that the guy that does have one might not have a snatch block. Sounds far-fetched I suppose but I've been involved in enough recoveries to know it can be a mix-and-match of pieces to get the job done.
 
You have a budget winch option, which is a ratcheting cable 'come-along.' Good 4-ton units can be had for between $50-100. I keep one in my 4R along with a longer cable (you'll want more length than the come-along has built in), plus the tow strap and D-ring receiver bar for assisted recovery. Follow the same safety principles used with power winches. Great tool to have, especially if you adventure out by yourself. It has saved me on more than one occasion.
 

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No one said Hi-Lift yet? Those are good, plus the attachment to let you jack up by the wheels since there aren't a lot jack points on the 4th gen. Around me, the Jax outdoor/ranch stores have them cheaper than anywhere else I've seen.

Also scrap wood is handy and cheap; a couple 12-24" sections of 4x4 are quicker and easier to stack than rocks, and a 2-6' length of 2x8 or 2x10 can make a quick ramp.
 
dchild said:
No one said Hi-Lift yet? Those are good, plus the attachment to let you jack up by the wheels since there aren't a lot jack points on the 4th gen. Around me, the Jax outdoor/ranch stores have them cheaper than anywhere else I've seen.

Also scrap wood is handy and cheap; a couple 12-24" sections of 4x4 are quicker and easier to stack than rocks, and a 2-6' length of 2x8 or 2x10 can make a quick ramp.
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Yea I've heard a hilift can be kind of hit or miss. I've heard with bolt/weld on sliders they can be really useful cause you can lift from the middle as opposed to the wheels, but as I don't have sliders or aftermarket bumpers, I feel like I'll just end up damaging my 4Runner lol.
 
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