I've still got a stock rear bumper and until the tire carrier, what can you use for recovery points in the rear. Don't have/want a hitch. That will be on the bumper.

I installed the tow hooks up front but there seems to be nothing for the rear.

Options?

All depends on how you feel on cutting the rear bumper?

You can add a tow hook on the bottom of the frame rail.

Or use a piece of 5/8 plate to make a recovery point that bolts to the frame using the same holes that the bumper mounts with. You will need to cut a hole in the bumper to get it through.

Depends on how much work you want to do.

Well I'm open to suggestions of all. Cutting won't seem so bad once I get stuck and have to be pulled out fron the rear.

What's timeline on your new rear bumper?
If you just ordered it from Shrockworks, I'd say just get a receiver and use it until your new bumper arrives (4-6 months if you lucky) then you can sell it to recoup some of the money though they are pretty cheap anyway.

Cheap way is probably just remove the plastic cover, do like Granitex suggested with a tow hook or hold off on wheeling until you have the proper equipment. Good luck with that last part hehe. I think everyone with a 4x4 has to get stuck at some point without the right gear before they really get 'it'. ;)

This is how mine is, its worked fine for me so far. Same 3 hole hooks as up front, no drilling in the frame, bolts up where the bumper does. Doing it again I would probably widen it up vertically, but I haven't had a strap rub on the bumper yet


http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2282/rearrecovery.jpg

I got this crazy receiver mounted hook from a farm supply shop for about $40. It has a rating of several tons. This is my temporary solution until I can afford a proper rear bumper.

Who has experience with yanking a truck out of a mud pit using a receiver mounted shackle? Does it damage the trailer hitch mount? The Xterra has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs, but that is about the transmission not the hitch itself.

I'd do away with the hook, and get a proper receiver shackle. That way, the strap can't slide off the hook. In terms of the hitch, as long as it's ClassIII or higher (2" receiver) you'll be fine using that for recovery.

If you have a hitch get this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-hitch/d-ring-receiver-hitch-66212.html

Hey tim that looks good. Does it stick out too much though? I did see people using a beefy pin inside the hitch for their recovery straps. My hitch just came in the mail the other day and now Im just waiting for a 'warm' day to throw her on. Gota love New England but damn it gets cold.

Skip the HF shackle, and get a real one from Warn, or TSC, or Northern Tool, Smittybuilt. ect...

The one from HF is ok for ATV/UTV but not for what you are asking of it. You want one that you can use a 3/4 inch shackle with.

Just a straight drop without a ball on it is better than the HF shackle.

It is not really the part in the reciever that is the problem, it is the shackle and where the shackle attaches that are undersized.

This is my "little" recovery hook from TSC

It weighs about 10 pounds, I think its rated to something like 1,000,000 lbs. (OK well actually only 6 tons)

Farmers use these for pulling tractors out when they get stuck.

It holds a strap better than my front recovery hook, and is heavier steel.

ALSO - if I mount it upside-down it is great for intimidating with tailgaters!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1219.snc4/155141_10150111238902932_574882931_7673623_8085462 _n.jpg

DUUUUUUUDEEEE............ Im looking on tractor supply co and i cant find that! any help woudl be greattttttttttt

SKU Number: 1892565

http://www.tractorsupply.com/winches-power-pulls-accessories/winch-straps-accessories/champion-winch-receiver-bracket-and-shackle-1834119


much better option from TSC.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/winches-power-pulls-accessories/winch-straps-accessories/champion-winch-receiver-bracket-and-shackle-1834119


much better option from TSC.

Yery nice! I might have purchased that instead of the hook, but they don't have it at my local TSC.

I picked up my hook while on my way to do some mudding when I realized I didn't have a proper rear mounted recovery point. I did get really stuck that day and had to be dragged out, but we used my front recovery hook.

DUUUUUUUDEEEE............ Im looking on tractor supply co and i cant find that! any help woudl be greattttttttttt



In Ontario -

http://www.tscstores.com/stage/mainhome.php#loadFG_18065

I know this is old but...here's what I did. I got it at HF for $20.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/admrl20/IMG_20110404_113049.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/admrl20/IMG_20110404_113057.jpg