Replace OEM tow hooks with shackles?

[gwhalin]

Any thoughts or opinions on replacing the OEM front tow hooks with shackles? I see Rough Country sells a kit to do this but unsure if the quality. Shackles seem like they would be more practical but I am pretty inexperienced when it comes to off-roading so thought would ask folks I here?

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[Msfitoy]

Any thoughts or opinions on replacing the OEM front tow hooks with shackles? I see Rough Country sells a kit to do this but unsure if the quality. Shackles seem like they would be more practical but I am pretty inexperienced when it comes to off-roading so thought would ask folks I here?

Do it...they're buiilt like a tank...get your own shackles with colors of your taste...

 

[halligan1201]

The biggest benefit of setup like this is that you have more options when attaching to the vehicle in terms of angle when on an incline or decline or have the front end buried. The factory recovery points are entirely adequate but the kit you're looking at is more robust and versatile. If you don't like the look of these, ARB makes direct fit recovery points that are also heavier than factory and are up-angled to kind of split the difference. The ARB are crazy expensive though - $190 per side!

 

[gwhalin]

Do it...they're buiilt like a tank...get your own shackles with colors of your taste...

Nice look! What brand D Rings you using?

 

[Synyster06Gates]

I just installed the RC shackle conversion. Quick, easy, 5 minute install. I used their shackles and they're okay.

 

[JesseS]

I had to replace mine with tow base attachments, they do provide a eyelet for safety cables but not sure how strong they are. I have ordered adapters that lock into the tow bar points and provide shackles.

 

[Rene Michaels]

https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-tow-hook-shackle-conversion-kit-rs144c.html

 

[RoadtripsOfUnusualSize]

I have ordered adapters that lock into the tow bar points and provide shackles.

Interesting. Can you show us what those look like when you get them?

 

[Rene Michaels]

Interesting. Can you show us what those look like when you get them?

See link above

 

[JesseS]

Interesting. Can you show us what those look like when you get them?

They replace the aluminum pins with shorter steel ones with a 1" shackle attachment. I will post a photo when they get here.
I would assume you can use either a single or sliding 'Y' strap. It is interesting that the tow base plates have more attachment points and thicker steel brackets than the OEM hooks did.

 

[JesseS]

See link above

I think he was referring to the shackle adapters for the RV tow base plate adapters I ordered.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Plus one to pierced nipples on your Ranger. They’re as tough as they look.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Plus one to pierced nipples on your Ranger. They’re as tough as they look.

That's allot of inner wear on those tires. May want to look at suspension upgrade on the front end if it's weight related.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

That's allot of inner wear on those tires. May want to look at suspension upgrade on the front end if it's weight related.

Thanks Jay - you made me blink - I figured it must have been the shadows and angles in the photo so I ran out and measured just to make sure. Same wear on the outside, inside and middle of tread. I’ll grab some of these just in case…

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Thanks Jay - you made me blink - I figured it must have been the shadows and angles in the photo so I ran out and measured just to make sure. Same wear on the outside, inside and middle of tread. I’ll grab some of these just in case…

Wow, that's quite the illusion. Glad to hear you don't have a problem

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