Community Forums

BirchyBoy · 04-16-2019, 10:17 AM

I’m in the process of setting up my ReadyBrute Elite with custom clevises for my LOD bumper recovery points. I’m trying to figure out where to attach the safety chains. I have two options as I see them:

1. Attach some recovery points to the top of the bumper where either a bull bar or winch is supposed to attach.

2. Attach to the bottom of the frame where the LOD skid plate attaches. It attaches to the bottom edge as noted by the red arrows in the picture.

Thoughts or alternatives?

Finance · 04-16-2019, 11:25 AM

An alternative would be the short cables supplied with Blue Ox nameplates, they wrap around the front cross member and remain even if the bumper fasteners fail completely. Basically it's a pair of 3' cables with loop ends and a couple of links to fasten each cable into a circle around the frame.

I'm not familiar with your brand of bumper, so cannot comment on the adequacy of the fasteners. My Jeep has the ARB bumper that I installed myself, and I have full confidence in that remaining with the vehicle.

On my Chevy, the winch bumper fasteners are bolted to flanges that are in my opinion a bit thin. Probably designed to crumple. In that case I reinstalled the OEM recovery loops in a location behind the bumper with separate fasteners that would provide a secondary failsafe should the complete bumper fastening system and frame flanges fail. The safety cables connect there.

Yes, I may be over-engineering it a bit. However constant repetitive strain over many days is a different issue with respect to metal fatigue than is the rare event when a winch bumper is used for winching.

**Lt Dan** · 04-16-2019, 03:47 PM

A short section of chain bolted around the frame is a good place to attach the safety cables. They need to be attached to the frame independent of the bumper.

doc · 04-17-2019, 07:49 AM

What Dan said

BirchyBoy · 04-17-2019, 07:56 AM

Thanks all. I think I may try something like these and bolt them onto the frame.

RVSSNAKE · 04-23-2019, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

Thanks all. I think I may try something like these and bolt them onto the frame.

I would like to know how well your safety cable hooks fit in that chain link.
We have been looking for ways to connect our cables as well.

I saw one or two using heavy duty forged eye bolts to the end of the front crossmember. There is about a 5\8" hole in the end of the crossmember that would accommodate.
Drawback on that setup is you are attaching at a 90* angle to the bolt shaft which reduces the load capacity by about half or less of the 4-5000# rating for each bolt.

Thoughts?

BirchyBoy · 04-23-2019, 10:11 AM

I’m second guess using those lifting shackles. They are rated for the correct weight but they aren’t necessarily designed for a rapid transfer of weight. I’m going to look for L-shaped bracket that will bolt to the spot you mentioned. I’ll post here once I’ve figured it out.

FIRE UP · 04-24-2019, 11:24 AM

I'm one that's been using the forged steel eye bolts for a couple of years now on our JK. While it may not be the best solution, it's gonna work. The true test would be if the tow bar broke in some odd fashion or, the the 5/8" diameter pin sheared etc. But, those are pretty extreme. I won't sit here and debate the physics and dynamics of all possible breakage scenarios. I'm just saying that for OUR operation, it's working, based on no actual testing of them. Mine are 1/2 diameter ones at present. I'm planning on purchasing some 5/8" ones to replace the 1/2" ones soon, just 'cause I can. This is another one of those things that, if you don't trust that kind of remedy, then don't do it.
Scott

P.S. You mentioned the fact that those are mounted at a 90 degree angle to the force that would be applied. Well, you could remedy that by getting some 3/8" or at severe extreme, some 1/2" thick, 2"x2" angle iron and attach that angle iron to the cross member and then, attach the eye bolts the face of the angle. Now you'd have them facing forward.