Olean NY Jeeper

Jsut ordered a new synthetic winch line and decided to get a safety thimble instead of a hook. AfterI ordered it I thought of one question that i didnt know the answer too. How do u hook up to a stock tow hook on either a JK or TJ when u r trying to winch from them from the front? I understand that when you are winching urself you use tree saver and d-ring and when u winch another jeep with d-ring u just atttach to d-ring, just not sure about winching jeep with tow hook. can u slip the thimble over the hook or is there some other safe way. Lots of guys in my club dont have D rings up front only inthe rear and they stil have the stock hooks up front.

Olean NY Jeeper

nobody has a safety thimble?

Bennyhana

Does it have an opening big enough to just slide over the hook or...Use a shackle just as you would if you were hooking to a tree saver. I'm not a huge fan of open tow hooks though..make sure you use a winchline weight like a blanket or heavy coat cause if that hook gives the shackle and line will come shooting back..

Olean NY Jeeper

Yeah, that is kind of what I am nervous about. I think TJ hooks are more substantail than JK stock hooks so not sure if it would work or not. Most people have shackles but there are few still running stock hooks. I guess u could just put he shackle on the hook and winch nice and easy.

jeep_n_co

I thought one of the advantages with synthetic rope is the lack of static load... if your rope breaks, you wouldn't need the blanket. No?

Bennyhana

It's a good habit to get into..However, I was thinking more of if the hook were to bend or break then the end with the shackle would fly back...

PhantomRescue

You would likely be ok with a load on the front tow hooks as long as the jeep you are pulling is not mired too deep. I'm with Benny on using something for the shackle flying back towards you, not worried about the line breaking, I am sure the tow hook would give before your line would.