Is there a reason ive never heard of anyone taking the ball outta there ball hitch and putting a shackle in its place? i did this...cost me 15 bucks for the shackle and the rest was free. The shackle is a 7/8, i could have fit a 1 3/4 but it was like 30 bucks. the hitch will withstand the strength of a pull right...the thing is pretty beeeefy. Anyway just giving an idea.

I think it's a common thing. Maybe you have not seen it because I know at least we try not to leave it back there so it doesn't get stolen around town. And then of course we only get them out on the trail if we need 'em to tug out someone like DUKES! Hahaha

Yea i figured no one would want them driving around town. I was just wondering if people did it because it seems sorta expensive to buy a 40 dollar thing made just for the shackle. Thanks for the info Sarah!

It is easier to put the strap in the receiver and let the pin hold it in place.

you shoulda told me that before i bought the shackle!!!! oh well my method is cool anyway...

Originally posted by igofshn
It is easier to put the strap in the receiver and let the pin hold it in place.

oh yeah, duh, al to the rescue!! haha

Originally posted by igofshn
It is easier to put the strap in the receiver and let the pin hold it in place.

Very true, IF, you are using a 2" strap. My 3" 30,000 lb strap won't fit into the receiver to put the pin through it. :mad:


Erik

allright good so my method can be good for somebody!

Originally posted by Trailbst
Very true, IF, you are using a 2" strap. My 3" 30,000 lb strap won't fit into the receiver to put the pin through it. :mad:


Erik

If your strap won't fit then I would not use it as a tow point because it won't hold.

Originally posted by igofshn
If your strap won't fit then I would not use it as a tow point because it won't hold.

i wouldn't use it for a good yank anyways. i wouldn't trust the pin for that, they're able to sustain cruising which doesn't place as much force on it as a strong tug with the weight of a stuck rig behind it.

Actually, the pins are a lot harder than you'd think - and that application puts them in shear. If you search, it's been beat to death on the boards :)

Can't give you the calc (wrong type of engineer), but been using that trick for almost 30 years. I have yet to see anyone break a pin.

Now, chrome tow hooks - that's another story.....

well there you have it. first hand experience beats heresay anyday.

Course, it helps if the bumper is mounted well. Wish I had a $10 spot for every STOUT bumper I've seen mounted with galvanized "I've been to Home Depot" hardware :)

Originally posted by igofshn
If your strap won't fit then I would not use it as a tow point because it won't hold.

That was my point. A 2" strap will fit into the receiver and you can put your pin safely through it. The 3" won't! So you have a need for a shackle receiver setup. Or mounted shackles on the bumper.

Me I don't care. I have a pintle hook on the CJ and I can either put the end of the strap directly over the ball and close the top and pin it, or I can put the strap through the closed pintle and shackle it to itself. Haven't had problems or worries from myself or anyone else using either of those two methods.

It is easier to put the strap in the receiver and let the pin hold it in place.


The only problem with that is the pin will mostlikey bend eventually and geting a torch in there to cut the pin in half and not damage the receive is gonna be a PITA.

The only problem with that is the pin will mostlikey bend eventually and geting a torch in there to cut the pin in half and not damage the receive is gonna be a PITA.

Had a guy tell me that back in the mid 70's when I was driving a wrecker on weekends - still waiting to see a bent pin.....

_Might_ be able to do it if you could get a chain in there, and tried to "snap" someone out of sand - or mud.

Of course, trying that with a SWB would be a classic 12777 CVC violation, "Stupid in a No Stupid Zone" :)

The only problem with that is the pin will mostlikey bend eventually and geting a torch in there to cut the pin in half and not damage the receive is gonna be a PITA.
It will take a whole lot to bend that pin in that configuration. i have always used mine like this, and will continue to use it that way. one less thing to carry around in the jeep, and not be able to find when you need it ;)
just leave the pin in the receiver.. no one wants that thing.
if you are going to pull anything hard enough that it would bend one of those hardened pins, you should be using your winch anyway ;) :wave:

The only problem with that is the pin will mostlikey bend eventually and geting a torch in there to cut the pin in half and not damage the receive is gonna be a PITA.

First off, it ain't gonna bend very far. Anyone with a 4" grinder and a cut-off wheel can remove the bent pin in about 30 seconds. As soon as you cut one side, it only has to move about a quarter of an inch to be free and almost fall out the other side. Again, that's if you can even bend it, which I doubt.

I abuse them all the time when I am too lazy to find the shackle. I take winch ropes, fold a loop in them, shove it in the receiver and put the pin through. That's a lot more concentrated stress than a strap and I still haven't bent one.