Front Weld on Recovery/Tow Point?

[cbielat]

Has anyone done or know the best point in which to weld on recovery tabs? I don't have a front bumper/winch yet and need a good front recovery point. I want to know the best location as to where to weld these on the front portion of the frame.

Thanks guys!

 

[fourwd1]

Moved to Offroading section.

Helps to know what year truck.
How good a welder are you?
It's got to be a damn strong weld.
What about bolt on?

 

[cbielat]

Moved to Offroading section.

Helps to know what year truck.
How good a welder are you?
It's got to be a damn strong weld.
What about bolt on?

2011
I'm not a welder but I know a very seasoned one
I'd rather have it welded on. Definitely don't trust the stock bolt on tie down hooks when recovery forces are factored in.

 

[KidVermicious]

The strongest place for a recovery point is going to be in line with a frame rail. Putting it between the frame rails will require extra reinforcement.

 

[cbielat]

The strongest place for a recovery point is going to be in line with a frame rail. Putting it between the frame rails will require extra reinforcement.

So I shouldn't just weld it to the frame rails themselves.

 

[KidVermicious]

So I shouldn't just weld it to the frame rails themselves.

If you really want a uber-strong recovery point and don't have a bumper, that's what I'd do, weld it directly on/under the frame rail. But I don't know what's in the way, or how much you'd have to cut off if/when you get around to putting on a steel bumper.

Why don't you think the factory recovery point is good enough?

 

[Nyc-Runner]

I think the factory recovery points are made for a light recovery at best more so for strapping the vehicle down while on a flat bed or something along those lines. I wouldn't trust pulling on those little hooks for what we do! When i put my front bumper on i cut mine off and they were maybe a 1/4'' thick, I wouldn't trust that pulling him out of something or over something they would probably snap off or bend. I have a 4th gen though so i haven't seen the ones on the 5th but i would assume they are the same.

 

[Jeremy556]

The stock ones are plenty strong. I would trust them as much as the ones on my shrockworks bumper.

 

[20DYNAMITE07]

I think the factory recovery points are made for a light recovery at best more so for strapping the vehicle down while on a flat bed or something along those lines. I wouldn't trust pulling on those little hooks for what we do! When i put my front bumper on i cut mine off and they were maybe a 1/4'' thick, I wouldn't trust that pulling him out of something or over something they would probably snap off or bend. I have a 4th gen though so i haven't seen the ones on the 5th but i would assume they are the same.

They're different. The 5th gen points are quite a bit more beefy.

 

[cbielat]

So thoughts seem to be that the factory points are adequate.

 

[Jeremy556]

On the 5th gens at least, the loops go through both sides of a frame cross member and are welded on both sides.