@NoGaBiker - Totally agree w/ your & @GavinC perspective on these. It should be a Delete option. If you don't want it for aerodynamics or whatever, remove. Default - on. BTW - That's a GREAT story and I could exactly see myself doing the same thing. I can distinctly remember my Dad telling me "more muscle doesn't solve all problems" after every time I use "more muscle" to bury myself deeper into something!

 

LOL, I think it's why my buddy never gets stuck in his Pinzgauer troop carrier. Yeah, the portal axle 6x6 drivetrain no doubt helps, but it's probably more because of the 85 hp 4 banger between the two front seats! He always has more traction than he has motor.

 

Did anybody ever consider this? Trying to find a solution to avoid paying the dealership $800 in labor. I am not inclined to do this myself. Would these be off-road rated? They look a lot like tow hitch receivers in Toyota's that people put a shackle.

https://www.lrparts.net/da2903-recov...ender-110.html

 

I would not trust anything threaded for off-road recovery. That seems suspect. The included tow eye would already work for on-road recovery.

You could have an indy shop do the install. It's really quite straight forward, and I am not very handy myself.

Alternate would be to go with a tow hitch recovery point: https://factor55.com/product/hitchlink/

 

Actually, that tow hitch recovery point is the worst possible solution. You would be putting all the recovery force on the hitch tube which is attached to the frame with a long lever arm. This would put an enormous twisting force on the rear cross member.
See my earlier post, above.

 

Thank you both. In any event, I do not have the tow hitch receiver, so would not use that solution. The indy shop suggestion might be the best option. Just have to find a reliable one for LRs in Houston. Open to referrals.

 

I don't like the look of this at all:


Look at the wall thickness to the side of the drilled hole - that will be the weakest part. The supplied on-road recovery eyes have more metal and I suspect would be just as strong, if not stronger.

 

@mrego

The install of the OEM ones is really not difficult.

Take your time and crack cold frothy beverage or two at the end. A fun little project. $800 saved is better than a kick in the ****.

A socket set, Screwdriver, (trim tool optional) and a loaner torque wrench from Autozone and you're all set. A hour or two if you're slow like me.


All the fasteners that need removing.

https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...lation-111063/

Online instructions and PowerfulUK's video are also very useful.

 

Fair point. I'm not sure which is the lesser of two evils though -- I think I'd use the tow hitch over the screwed in eye off-road, but it's context dependent and neither is great. I still carry a tow hitch point if only to use to help another vehicle that does not have a recovery point.

 

This is not a direct response but this is a good watch for anyone else reading and trying to understand why the tow ball and the tow hitch should never be used to tow someone out. There's plenty of over good videos out there but this one resonated with me.