Okay call me slow but I just don't see how to hang shackels(recovers points, not for springs )? I've been told to use Rockstomper hangers and have then welded on, but where, the TJm frame mounts cover the front and bottom of the frame. Someone go ahead and please point out my stupidity and oversight, I'm sure there's something simple I'm missing. If anyone has or can take an up close picture of their set-up I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

Why not weld them directly to the front of the TJM?

The strongest spot should be on the outside of the bumper at the same position as the frame mounts.

 

Because the bumper is powder coated and it would require alot of work to have that cleaned up for welding, then have it welded on, and re-powder coat the whole thing. Requiring $$$$ I don't have, thanks for the input though.

 

It's worth it if you wheel.

Look at this picture:



Having them on the outside of my bumper, instead of on the frame, stopped me from going over. They were just enough to keep me there while we secured lines to the truck.

 

you need a body lift to raise the tjm enough to make an opening on the frame end to fit a shackle hanger.

 

Or, he could carfully have two very nice squares cut from the bumper and use a longer shackle mount that goes back to the frame, through the bumper. It could be a really clean install and as long as the shackle hangers were gusseted at the frame, it would be plenty strong enough.

 

not sure if these would work or not... I see 1999-2000 w/ tjm listed but not a 96. You might ask steve.


http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/index.html#Shackle

and if you email him - let me know aswell what you find out.

 

I agree, plus the bumper is really too thin to support a tow point. I did a lot of welding on mine and it was a lot of work to strip off the powder coat and then repaint it. http://community.webshots.com/photo/...87536658rVHJHT

I also thought about cutting a hole through to the 1/4 inch plate inside the bumper but couldn't see a good way to do the mod.

I decided just to use the factory tow points for the front, but I like what calrockx has done. You would want to weld them on to the TJM mount not the bumper or just remove the factory tow points and fab something straight to the frame where the factory tow points are.

 

calrockx, thanks that is exactly what I needed to see. I've got a 1" BL on the way, do you think that will be enough to free up some space? Also, do you have or can you take a picture from the other side(inside the frame rails) because I will be having these welded by a buddy of mine, and the better he can see and understand exactly how to mount them the better.

 

I talked with Steve about this a while ago; he seemed fairly sure they would work fine on the '97.

(Note however they do NOT work with Trail Carnage skid plates plus T15, but not too many of us have to worry about that. :cry: )

 

NO YOU DON'T!
I have no body lift and they work just great!

 

See my reply above, and talk with Bruce TS, he welded mine and did a fine job at that!

 

oh yeah, huh. hm, well i guess i did cause my tjm brackets were welded on and the bottom part cut, so mine's a little funky.

but...if you do have the body lift on it can't hurt and gives that much more room for shackles i guess.

 

I have a 1.5" body lift, then cut the brackets and moved them up 1", afterwards I added extra bracing, then welded the rockstomper shackle hangers on. But before welding a 45 degree bevel must be ground onto them, so several passes of weld can be done. This will insure that they won't pull off. Eventually I'll add extra bracing to the stock frame mounts, but so far they have held up just fine.

I used a sanding disc in my 4 1/2" grinder to remove the powder coating, then used a satin black spray paint after the job was done.

 

ok I had them without a body lift. Its simple, grab a couple pieces of thick metal, and make an "L" bracket. Put holes in it to correspond to where the holes mount up for the TJM. Then weld the "wedge" piece on to the bottom of the newly formed L bracket. It works like a charm. Used it many times.

 

Go with Sonoran Steel shackle hangers. They're awesome, stout, and bolt right to the frame.

 

Confirmation of what was said earlier- Steve's shackle hangers won't work with trail carnage skid plates if you got 'em, I learned the hard way.

 

Man, I have cut three trucks worth of those 99+ frame plates off. There is not much holding it on.

The plate is more than likely designed to take impact pushing back, not being pulled. The plate is also only welded on 3 sides.

Do what you want. I don't care, but I would never set someone up like that ever. Use the factory tow points, not the factory crash points.

Flame me all you want. I don't care, I won't get hurt when it pulls off.

Think about it. The plates hold a crush zone designed to crush inward.

 

FWIW, the 96-98 TJM brackets have built in hangers and if you have any metal working skills what so ever, cutting those plates off and inserting the Rob/Brian/Steve what ever you want to call it insert is a piece of cake.

I personally like the 96-98 brackets with the frame mod alot better.

But like I said before, do what you want.

 

Well geeze, now I'm just confused more than ever. I really appreciate all the input and pictures. I would love just to get Steve's hangers and bolt it all right up, but I simply can't afford them right now, and Rockstomper hangers are only $15 a peice, and I can get a buddy to weld them on. Now Steve has made some really valid points, and I'm just thinking it's going to be another Tellico trip w/ no recovery points.