My 96 LX450 has what are referred to as "Tow Eyes" on the front and rear. Each of these 3/4" eyes are welded to a steel plate and are then bolted straight to the frame with two 17mm bolts. My question is this: Can I use these as recovery points for attaching shackles and snatch straps? I didn't see a weight limit stamped anywhere on the unit.

Thanks.

 

These are generally used as tie downs to keep the vehicle on the truck durring transport. It is not recommended that you use these as a serious recovery point. However, if your stuck and it's all you've got then there are resonable risks worth taking.

A better option would be to replace them with 10,000 lb. rated tow hooks which are cheap and readily available at auto parts stores and on ebay. The bolt spacing of these hooks is the same as the bolt spacing of your "Tow Eyes". Get some longer bolts and you're in business.

 

I appreciate the reply.
I picked up 4 of the tow hooks, thinking the same thing. Unfortunately the bolt holes are too close together (on the new hooks) and will not fit without drilling into the frame.
These hooks seem to have been made for Jeeps, etc. If you know of a part number, of an item that would have the same bolt pattern as the Cruiser, that would be great. I've already picked up a reciever shackle for the rear, so I'm covered there.

 

If you can't get some front hooks to work out you can always just run a short strap to both tow eyes and attach the main strap to that to divide the load onto two eyes. I went through great pains to get two hooks on the front of my 4Runner, I ended up driving a half hour to a place that sold nothing but nuts and bolts to get grade 8 metric bolts of the correct variety.

 

If it has a trailer hitch then just use the supplied loops on there or get a WARN Receiver Shackle.

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