D Ring Shackles and rusting
 

I want to keep my D Ring shackles on permanently, but they will rust. any ideas on keeping the rust away?

Good question! I'd like to know this too...also how do you keep people from stealing these things?

My shackles are powder coated so that helps, but hit them with some liquid wrench or something like that every now and then.

To keep them from getting stollen, I just tighten them up real tight with a 14in crescent wrench that I keep in the cargo area, just make sure the wrench stays in the Jeep at all times, so you have a means of removing your shackles when needed.

I've lived/worked in some shady places, it's not too often when you see fools cruising the ghetto with giant wrenches to steel shackles.

I know this sounds crazy but petroleum jelly light coat every 6 months or after cleaning Vic keeps them from rusting. Also for theft change the pin to a screw in with a hole at the end put a small key look through it.

Breakfree CLP will do a very good job preventing rust, probably better than just about anything else you can use short of painting them.

However, mine are zinc plated. I would figure most D-ring shackles are plated to prevent rust. I suppose the plating is worn off of yours? Mine have been on the Jeep for over a year with no rust but they have not been used much. Maybe one time to pull a Ford Focus out of the beach where spring breakers got it stuck.

Always blows my mind people steal these. Mine stay on permanently, and I have the quick connect ones so if someone wanted em, they just have to pull a pin rather than unscrew em. Guess I've just been lucky so far. I actually lost one or two of the screw on ones in the past, but cuz they came loose and fell off. I got tired of having em screwed on so tight when I needed to remove one on the trail it would be a struggle. Switched to quick connect ones and didn't look back. Mine are powder coated, but that's been eaten away with use over time. Zero rust issues, but that's probably cuz not really an issue here in north Texas I guess.

Mine have been on the Jeep ten years, used on occasion, and never did anything to prevent rust except dutifully clean Jeep off after being in salt areas (snow, sea water, etc). I have lost a couple--vibrated off on trails--so I use a screwdriver in the hole in the pin to tighten it up pretty hard.

You could spray them down with Fluid Film. However, I just purchase the ones they have at Harbor Freight. They're black powder coated. I've had them on for over a year with no rust. For $10, (or $8 with their 20% off coupon) you can't beat the price.
https://www.harborfreight.com/34-in-...suv-63743.html

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QI6y...ABNuhtj05JDGWG

I leave mine on all the time as well. If someone wants to steal my $8 HF shackles, I say more power to them. So far no problems but if it ever becomes a problem maybe I'll consider putting super glue on the threads. :D I essentially use my front shackles like I use my rear tow hooks. I feed a strap through them and then use another shackle to hold the strap loops together and then attach the winch hook to the other shackle. This makes it so the powder coat paint doesn't get scraped off on the shackles that remain attached. No metal to metal contact.

I don't have a pic of the front setup, but it's essentially the same as this rear connection setup, just substitute the front shackles in place of the rear tow hook. I can't really even think of a reason to have to even try to remove the shackle from the Jeep when hooking up this way. Maybe it's not a good practice to use a strap this way? I kind of figured I'm also almost doubling the strength of the strap connecting this way, therefore having a double benefit....no paint scrape and doubling strength of strap. Seems like a win/win.
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B9VL...URQc1h5c20tR00

Here's my front shackles. (Sorry no bright red like the cool kids with the hard rock package) :D
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qZcq...YCgJ509KJQVwOi

Mine are powder coated as well, but not the threads. That is where the oxidation/rusting occurs.

Apparently thread powder coating cost more. You'll have to pay extra for that and get the good ones like my $8-$10 HF shackles. :clap:

In all seriousness, I'm actually pretty impressed with the nice powder coating on the HF shackles.

You're putting pressure on the strap in a way for which it was not designed. I sure wouldn't do that just because the consequences of a failure could be injury or even death. Since you're that concerned about scratching up the shackles, I'd recommend some synthetic winch line ones such as these ...

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...waAvzqEALw_wcB

$7.83 Good Deal on forged 3/4" 9.5K lb D-Ring shackle w/isolator
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jk-...ce87e6730a.jpg

Home Depot s3/4" shackle w/isolator pads $7.83

If rusting is a concern, you can pay more for hot-dipped galvanized shackles and keep the threads greased. Also the other suggestions posted above work (powder coat, paint, protective film sprays, etc). As far as theft that's a hard one. You can crank down the screw bolts with wrench and discourage casual thieves but determined ones will steal them.

We just keep our shackles and straps in a winch tool bag and avoid the theft and weathering/rusting. We also sometimes put the shackles on, on prior to trail runs, to be ready to assist or be assisted. Additionally Jeep club members often mount and then drape their pre-configured straps over the rear mounted spare for a quick tug (to give or receive).

Didn't believe this was worthy of a new post on its own - - - but saw these plated shackles at the Home Depot home center that included red shackle isolators/pads for $7.83 each, the price you typically see bare 3/4 inch shackles or a pair of isolator/pads going for alone... https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-...4535/206967330

That's an excellent deal, and no shipping charge if they have them in stock at the local Home Depot. Good looking out!

Home Depot typically stocks 6-8 units on the shelf. I wasn't thrilled to pay about $7 with shipping for some shackle pads alone a while back. This is a good price.

And for those who only got one D-ring shackle in their more recent Mopar/Warn "Jeep Trail Rated Kit" that comes with new Jeeps (unless someone at the Dealership copped it) here's a chance to get a 2nd shackle, always better two than one. The earlier Jeep Trail Rated Kits included two shackles. This video explains the kit you should have received with your new Jeep....