Front tow hook replacement?

Does anyone know if there are other fabricators that do the front tow hook replacement in order to put a D-Ring shackle on?

SOS seems to be the only one I can find that isn't asking for an arm and a leg. I have 2 D-Ring shackles rated for 10K lbs that are just sitting around and I'd love to slap one onto the front for proper recovery.

 

http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/factory-recovery-replacement/

 

https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/tacoma-recovery-tow-hook

 

ARB makes one but the price makes the SOS and BPF seem like real bargains.

 

I have a bpf that i’m not going to use. Shoot me a pm for price

 

ARB makes the strongest one
I've heard of the other two failing and they only use factory bolts to just replace the old hook vs ARB tying back into the frame.

If you plan on really using it hard the ARB is the best bet.

Price might be high but it's a lot safer and tested to withstand 17,000lbs

 

i have one and the stock tie downs are attached to the frame... fail likely due to operator error?? Weak point would be the shackle not the hardware bracket, I'm thinking.

With the OR you need special bolts too I think, so check to be sure. Mine is rated to 9K... straps are 17.5K. Windshield rated for large bugs...eye protection wont help. With that in mind, now I realize why the tie down location is passenger side.... huh...makes sense.

 

So would the BPF be better than the SOS? Considering it’s using all 3 bolts instead of just 2?

 

You cannot use the factory bolts if you are replacing the hook from the OR. As indicated on the BPF site, you must order M12x1.25x40mm bolts. Class 8 or higher. The BPF product uses three bolts.

Seems like a reasonable product for occasional use. I would definitely buy the ARB product for heavy use.

 

+1 for BPF they build a solid mount and it was easy to install.

 

Id say really light use for the bpf.

Much rather my arb. At least I know it won't fail.

 

I have the BPF but I just got it as a place holder until the ARB started to actually show up in stores.

The BPF is a hunk of 1/2" A36 steel that they rate to 8,250 lb. Not sure how they arrived at this but seems to me if it fails it's the bolts or frame that gave up. Which isn't impossible, the factory hook is on a subframe so it leaves something to be desired.

 

Those other ones bolt to the same sub frame though.

And 8200lbs is really nothing when you can easily put more than 2x the trucks weight as a force on a tow point and given the truck is already over 4000lbs it's really not hard to hit that mark.

Hell the ARB is twice as strong as the BPF...and imagine what the OEM one is that people think its fine to use lol.

 

They all do with the exception of the ARB, which ties to the frame, a little like the side bracket on their bumper. I have an ARB bumper already so I think their recovery point should integrate well and is easily the only one that to me looks actually engineered.

Indeed. But then again we're often using 4.75 ton WLL bow shackles (9500 lbs) with 17,500 lbs snatch strap so that 8,250 rating isn't exceptional.

The ARB will technically move the weakest link to the shackle itself, at least in the sense that using it up to 17,500 means you're beyond WLL and into the safety margin (this is 6:1 for Crosby shackles I think).

And like I say, the BPF is assigned a rating but I'm not assuming that to be an engineered or proof number or anything.

 

Ya a lot of those aftermarket bumpers and what not all like to say 'it should work' but don't actually do testing. Which is understandable given they aren't a massive company like ARB is.

But at least with that stuff buying ARB you know its been engineered and tested.
I agree the weakest link is the shackle which in away is somewhat good. interesting to note that all the others have you put the pin in the recovery point and the strap goes around the bow vs with ARB they actually say put the bow in the point and then the pin goes to the strap. That being the case if the shackle failed it would likely break into two pieces and if you're being smart about things you should have a line dampener on the strap. So if it did fail you should be ok as the dampener will bring the shackle down.

The problem is when its other components like the entire hook failing it could carry a lot more momentum and do more damage.

Regardless for me I have the ARB and planning the bumper eventually too. And I use either ARB strap or a canadian version of the bubba rope and then have bubba soft shackles. So technically all my stuff being used is rated at 17 000lbs+ so it will likely be my truck that gets fucked before the rigging fails...

Or whoever is pulling me how they are rigged.

But from strap to my truck everything is matched.
which now that I think about it sucks because that means whatever fails on them is coming right at me. Guess I'll be sure to use dampeners

 

I think there's an order of goodness here. ARB is clearly at the top of the food chain. Stock Toyota stuff is at the bottom. BPF is next to the top, but it's a wide gap with room for competitors. Frankly, Toyota should have engineered an actual recovery point instead of a tow point.

 

For those of you thinking the shackle will fail, check out the video I posted in the recovery section.

 

link...


EDIT
guessing you mean this
https://youtu.be/66BXmM_JuBI

It should be considered that most shackles have a working load limit on them and a breaking limit (not always printed)

If I remember right from all the rigging classes I've had to take the WLL is upwards of 4-5x LESS than what the actually breaking point is.

Based on that video a bow shackle was stronger than a soft shackle BUT it should be noted that when a soft shackle fails its not a violent fail and its not sending metal objects flying through the air like a bullet.

 

I don't think they're at any risk of failure, but the 4.75 tons is their rated working load limit and that's the number you use. It is a proof tested rating and so you can say with 100% certainty that 4.75 tons is completely safe. There's a very large safety margin with shackles, usually 4 to 6 times rated to their yield (deform) and even that is below their ultimate (break).

 

like your tie off point is supposed to be rated for 3500-5000lbs depending on where it is. because someone 180lbs falling 6ft can apply a force of upwards of 2000lbs to the anchor point. So that extra is for safety factor.


But if i remember right you aren't supposed to technically load a shackle above its WLL because its at that limit they can guarantee nothing will happen to it. If you load it more it could cause fractures in the metal causing it to fail sooner than its WLL.