Do you run bumper shackles?

Does anyone run with shackles on?

or do you keep them un-installed and inside the truck until needed for recovery?
They appear to be quick-connect.
I heard that it's just for looks and does not have as high load rating as the kind that plugs into the tow hitch.

I'm thinking of buying some black ones to blend in, with the plastic accessory pieces so that they're quiet and don't smack on the bumper while driving a lot
Supposedly the correct size is 3/4

is that a good idea?

 

Buy them, keep them behind the seats till you need them.

 

I don't leave them on only cause of rust and I don't want them perma welded to my bumper

and people steal them

 

They're quick connect & disconnect for sure! They're there for the taking if someone else wants them more than you.

 

that settles it
seems like it's best to carry inside the truck so it's there if ever needed

gonna see if I can figure out which shackle to buy/what size they are, and if it's really as simple as just '3/4" shackle' available anywhere including Wal-mart

 

I keep them inside the cab. My fear they would walk off.

 

So those are recovery points and are different than safety chain latch points for a trailer. Those are rigging bow shackles they have a rating on them for what they are able to pull or snatch and are plenty strong and aren't just there for looks. Well they are kinda since what they are attaching to is the recovery points in the bumper which all the Bumpers I've seen and dealt with can more than withstand hard recoveries. They are meant to be removed so you can rig recovery gear. Most aftermarket bumpers have the safety chain hook ups behind the bumper attached to the receiver.

 

I just keep 2 on the front and one oversized in my recovery bag.

I have the ones on the front a little tight tight just in case...

 

I run cheap Chinese ebay polished stainless shackles all the time. They’re plenty strong enough for my Taco and what I do with it. I made delrin washers on the lathe so they’re a tight fit and don’t rattle. I have a long 3/8” bolt that fits perfectly in the hole in the pin to tighten them down tight so they don’t walk away. I take the delrin washers out when I’m going to go offroad. I have strongly considered getting a few soft shackles so the stainless ones never need to come off.

 

I would say it would depend on the bumper construction. I’ve seen a lot of bumpers where they weld the clevis onto the plate and nothing else. In this case they are not as strong as a hitch that welded into the main structure. My d ring clevis are connected to the main structure that attaches to the frame. This makes them less likely to damage the plate and makes them stronger. However. A hitch tube that’s welded straight back to the center of the main bumper structure is probably the strongest for recovery

 

Harbor freight has nice black shackles!

 

I run a zip tie through my shackled to keep them from falling off and as a theft deterrent although someone could easily cut it and remove it.

 

Yeah you just want the cool look, put them on when you need them (heading out to the trail) or they will grow legs

 

What shackles/d-rings does everyone carry?

I just measured the tabs on my rear bumper and the bore is 1" / 25mm
I'm guessing the best option for that would be a good load rating 3/4" shackle

Do you carry more stuff as well, like a snatch strap to pull yourself or others out?
Am gonna look up how to pull other cars out in snow; not sure if it requires an additional shackle fastened around a pull point of the other car and a snatch strap
such as a front and rear towing hook that passenger cars usually come with

Would be interesting if said stuck person in snow for example is facing backwards requiring a front tow hook, which they may or may not be able to find or have accessible
Like in some cars it's in the trunk, and you pry off a front bumper cap to screw it in a hole;
which is difficult to find if the person's trunk is full of stuff

 

Do not use the eyebolt that screws into the bumper for recovery. That eyebolt is only for pulling a freely rolling vehicle onto a flatbed. You’re likely to end up with an eyebolt through the back window of your truck.

 

Tighten them down with a screwdriver and the average opportunity thief can't steal them without using a screwdriver to loosen it.

 

I meant the 2 loops on the back near the hi-lift jack cutouts




I'm guessing you're referring to that little hook thing that 2nd gens supposedly come stock with under the front somewhere, said to be used for tying down Taco's on flatbeds only

I haven't figured out the front yet, will search to see what everyone else is doing
Not sure if it's worth swapping over to a silver colored TRD skidplate and whatever hook those come with

That or even better depending on how it can be fastened, if it uses less common screws like Torx

 

Oh Hell no!

 

There are no legitimate reasons for leaving them on all the time.
If you go wheeling and think you'll need speedy recovery, then put them on. I'm sure you'll attach one end of a snatch strap then too, because every second matters. Dont forget to pay out a bunch of winch line and have it coiled around the bumper in case you need to winch forward in a hurry. And the front shackle and snatch strap, in case that's an option.

otherwise, attach when needed and they dont get rusted, lost, stolen, or look like a poser.

 

Good call! I actually use an adjustable large crescent and use the entire surface area of the part exposed and give it a nice cinch down and call it good.