[alexvitara]

i want to get a proper recovery point on the front of my swb vitara but theres nowhere for the bolt on ones to fit and i cant afford a full front bar at this stage.

If i was to get someone to run a big bead of weld over the existing weld that currently holds the tie down hoop on would that make it strong enough to recover off? or is the metal to weak?

cheers
alex

[shandy92]

i dont know really, but im sure someone does or has. but if it was welded really well, im sure it could be done.

have you seen this??
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/vitara ... od_14.html
would be an easy/cheapish way of a good recovery bar.

[alien]

the issue isnt there, its the thickness of the chassis rail itself.

you're far better off getting a proper recovery hook attached with some plating and crush tube for the bolts.

that said - the factory tie down is fine for flat towing and gentle recoveries. They only tend to break when people try to snatch off them.

[smiffkid]

^^^ unless its a factory nissan recovery point

[alexvitara]

shandy92 wrote:

i dont know really, but im sure someone does or has. but if it was welded really well, im sure it could be done.

have you seen this??
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/vitara ... od_14.html
would be an easy/cheapish way of a good recovery bar.

i heard that these were poorly designed on here a while ago.

alien wrote:

the issue isnt there, its the thickness of the chassis rail itself.

you're far better off getting a proper recovery hook attached with some plating and crush tube for the bolts.

that said - the factory tie down is fine for flat towing and gentle recoveries. They only tend to break when people try to snatch off them.

so the chassis would bend/tear before the loop was ripped off?

there no room for a hook unless it was on the bottom of the chassis which would make it hang low and get ripped off easily

[shandy92]

alexvitara wrote:

shandy92 wrote:

i dont know really, but im sure someone does or has. but if it was welded really well, im sure it could be done.

have you seen this??
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/vitara ... od_14.html
would be an easy/cheapish way of a good recovery bar.

i heard that these were poorly designed on here a while ago.

link???

[alexvitara]

shandy92 wrote:

alexvitara wrote:

shandy92 wrote:

i dont know really, but im sure someone does or has. but if it was welded really well, im sure it could be done.

have you seen this??
http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/vitara ... od_14.html
would be an easy/cheapish way of a good recovery bar.

i heard that these were poorly designed on here a while ago.

link???

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... t&start=30

[Poita]

I have the same problem. Bought the hook but can't find anywhere to put it. Will have to wait till I get a front bar I guess.

[alien]

alexvitara wrote:

alien wrote:

the issue isnt there, its the thickness of the chassis rail itself.

so the chassis would bend/tear before the loop was ripped off?

all the pics i've seen, while the hook is twisted it tore off at the chassis.

[alexvitara]

anyone else got any ideas/thoughts on the issue?

[buzbox]

How about make a plate, bolt it into the holes where the bullbar mounts to and bolt the recovery hook to that plate.

simple and effective.

[stocker]

You could Weld a Plate on either side of the Chassis Rails ( not sure on the SWB of the chassis arrangement i know its different to my LWB )

then Drill through the plate and mount a Recovery hitch to that

[alexvitara]

as you can see from the pic above theres only 20-30mm max between the crossmember and the front of the chassis so no room for a hook infront of it, thats why i was hoping to make the stock one stronger.
as for mounting to bullbar mount, i have a ally bullbar so that'll probably be attached on the bullbar mounts.

[TheRealCJ]

It's weird, I've been properly snatched with my stock recovery points without any trouble at all.

Was the point strengthened on the later models or something?

[alexvitara]

TheRealCJ wrote:

It's weird, I've been properly snatched with my stock recovery points without any trouble at all.

Was the point strengthened on the later models or something?

what years yours? i've been snatch off my before to but its better to be safe then sorry i think

[TheRealCJ]

Mines a 96, and yeah, I've pulled and been pulled many a time now without issue.

[alexvitara]

mines a 93, does you point look the same as mine in the picture above?

[TheRealCJ]

Yep, looks exactly the same.

Tell you what though, I just joined a Fourbie club that has "Must have decent recovery points front/rear" in it's by-laws (seriously, they check every car when you first join up). When I get to their new member's orientation next month, I'll let you know what they say.

[alexvitara]

thanks mate that will be good.
what about looping the snatch strap around the crossmember?
or will i end up bending it?

[TheRealCJ]

alexvitara wrote:

thanks mate that will be good.
what about looping the snatch strap around the crossmember?
or will i end up bending it?

Personally I haven't tried. I wouldn't risk it though, it's much easier to replace a recovery point than it is a crossmember.

[alexvitara]

good point

[TheRealCJ]

Haha, "point".


Puns.

[alexvitara]

[TheRealCJ]