I know there have been a few threads on recovery points, but I have a few specific questions.

I have an ARB bumper on my 2000 Xterra and have Warn shackles hanging on the front holes. I've heard that the shackles can break the steel on these holes when attached to a tow strap and go flying off. Has anyone actually seen or experienced this happening?

Also, I gave my stock front tow hook to the guy who got my stock bumper. If I want to put on forged steel hooks, which kind do I need, and do I have to do any drilling?

Steve

I have used those holes in the past, but am becoming leary. I bent the crap out of one of them accidentally with my winch, the other side has lost one of the washers on one side. I am thinking about cutting them off, and adding something beefier.

You want to look for the universal three hole hooks which can be found at your local 4x4 store. They seem to fit with a bit of force (the holes are barely off, but you could file/drill them out). The driver's side is really easy, but the passenger side can be a real pain in the a$$, small fingers/magnets/mice would help on that side.

Another argument for the CALMINI bumper. I've heard plenty of people say not to use the ARB points, that they are only for the hi-lift adapter. With the CALMINI though I asked Steve right before I was about to use it if it was safe to do so. I used them as an anchor for Snoopy to try out his winch. He even had a couple of feet of slack in the winch cable an fell back down the hill a couple of times. No damage to the bumper at all.

I know I've seen a pic of an ARB tab ripped right open...

Brent

The one that was ripped open was by MVM. He ripped it trying to do a snatch.

I have used the towing eyes on my ARB many times, sometimes for a slow tow and sometimes for a yank, and have had no problems, outside of the shackles wearing off the powdercoat on the inside of the eyes. Just use a strap with some stretch to it so the brute force isnt so brute when you start the tow and try to keep the strap as parallel to the axis of the truck as possible (ie not at a 45 degree angle out to the right or left from the eye) and you shouldnt have any problems.

Edit to add: Wow...101st post. And ive only been here for a little over 2 years....

I would avoid using those holes for recovery. They are designed specifically for Hi-lift jack use.

Bryan is right! Go spend $8 for the three hole SteelHorse tow hooks. $3.00 for the Metric fastners if your truck didn't come with a stock tow hook!

Yah, the drivers side is a PIA. I found that using a length of bailing wire to fish the bolt through the hole (just a couple of wraps to keep it from escaping into the frame) and using the nuts on the underside seemed to work the best. The wire can be pulled off before you tighten everything down.

Ok silly question what holes did you use to mount the hooks? I also have an ARB on 2000 and want to add two hooks on the front? What I have been doing in the mean time is to use both holes with a 20ft strap looped accross and feeding my other strap loop thur the middle.

Also has any one thought of renforcing the holes on the ARB? A plasma tourch and .25" stock? The only thought I have on that is the moment created when using ARB holes off direct line of the frame?

A picture is worth, well you know...

I used the holes in the stock hook mounting position (passenger side). The same holes exist on the other side, but without weld nuts in place (drivers side). *These* (the black ones 7605 @ $11 ea. with hardware) are the hooks I used and they came with hardware. I used the factory bolts on the passenger side.

I just looked under the truck and it "appears" that there would be little room between the ARB flanges and the factory tow hook mounting holes?

Does the ARB lower flanges do not get in the way of hooking up a strap?

That's good to know. I was wondering if you were just being nice when you said there was no damage.

Not so far.

I'm a bit curious - I've not yet tried to use a hi-lift on my ARB. I know they make an adapter with a flat hook and a chain that is designed specifically for the Bull Bar. Just how are the eyes supposed to be used with a hi-lift and where did anybody find info stating that that is their specific purpose? Looks more to me that they were designed for shackles, but I agree that they're a bit wimpy for some of the forces that can result from a healthy yank. I wuz gonna say "healthy snatch" but I didn't want to invite any inappropriate replies

I order the hooks from the link that was this thread. thanks for the note...

Buzzzzz...that is the wrong adapter! You want the ARB adapter made by ARB. It ataches to the place where people hang their shackles. You are thinking of the Hi-lift bumper adapter, the thing with the chain.

You're absolutely correct, sir. The adapter I was thinking about was the Hi-Lift brand. I haven't seen the ARB one yet. Apologies for being inaccurate.

Here is what you need "if" you have a ARB. I have one and it works like it is supposed to.
[img]http://store5.yimg.com/I/cruiserconnection_1732_1603387[/img]