Ridiculous tie down point??

Jeffncs

Jeffncs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Location
Wake Forest
For the record - I’m not recommending this nor do I use this approach to securing my CJ7 to my hauler…

So I’ve been looking at front axle tie down strap locations on my narrow track CJ7 front axle. Straight pull to d-rings. Space is tight along the axles!! I figured it out, but wanted to see if there was a better way to do it.

While cruising thw interwebs, I saw a guy using the spring shackles at the bumper for the front. (pics are just for demo purposes based on what the guy was doing)

Is this even safe???

image.jpgimage.jpg


For the record, I’m planning to deal with the tight space on the front axle, but thought I’d ask.

Some day I’ll go back to the wide tracks which will help a lot, but this is what I have for a while.
 
You guys are surprising me right now…. I fully expected to hear the opposite. I expected strength, but wasn’t sure about the physics of pulling against the shackle.

Now I’m thinking about as an alternative.

I’m not a fan of pulling on the bumper d-rings because of the spring compression. Am I wrong on that too?
 
I used to put a hook in all four spring hangers. Crossed them up and it seemed to work well. May be able to see it in the pic if you zoom in.
IMG_20200802_092148527.jpg
 
Bumper is 2”x4” and 3/16” wall and the shackle tabs are 3/4” x 2” and run through the bumper with exposure on the back side of the bumper.

After proper chamfering and prep, I solid welded both sides with 4 passes using my 110V Hobart mig. Between each pass, I cleaned and prepped for another pass. I got great heat bluing as I went. In other words, I welded the crap out of each tab front and rear of the bumper!

I’m confident they’d work too.
 
The biggest risk with attaching to the shackle is that you might cut the strap. It's sort of sprung location, but better than attaching to a bumper or the frame. Sprung points can easily overload a strap.

Might consider welding hook points onto the axles. You can put them up out of the way, then just drop the hook in when you're ready to go.
 
Jeffncs said:
@shawn

Rear axle housing (Dana44) has tons of space to weld onto. The fronts are TIGHT!! Love the idea of axle tabs though!
Click to expand...

The tabs are about 1.5" x 2", IIRC. The hole in the middle is teardrop shaped and sort of small. I'm not sure if they'll take the standard wire hook that comes on a $10 yellow strap, but I can check.
 
Grab the wheels if anything.

I wouldn't strap through shackles. Ever.

But that's just me.
 
Funny you should mention the J-hook straps. I just demoted them to utility use on the trailer. They were replaced with some very nice snap-end straps from USA Ratchet. Not crazy expensive but not cheap either. Made is USA and great quality.

I notice the J-hook straps are easily damaged and frayed quickly.
 
My concerns would be suspension cycle/sprung potential energy loading and sharp edges more than shackle strength.
I wouldn’t do it, but that’s me.
 
@shawn How is attaching to the bumper any different than attaching to the frame mounted shackle? All the suspension is below the shackle so your still combating the spring suspension either way.
 
YotaOnRocks said:
@shawn How is attaching to the bumper any different than attaching to the frame mounted shackle? All the suspension is below the shackle so your still combating the spring suspension either way.
Click to expand...
Fair point. Seems to me that the pivot points and the integration of the spring itself would help mitigate shock loads, but maybe not. I always prefer to go from an unsprung point (tires work, too) and radiate out from center of mass, but sometimes that's not an option.
 
I like the straps with chain ends. They work nice when space is tight and you don't have to worry about cuts. I always tie down at the axles. Sprung areas are a bad idea.
 
Jeffncs said:
Yes!! Where did you find them??
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Just did a google search for ubolt tie down plate. I think those were for an old Camaro or something but should be easy enough to make if you can't find something for your jeep
 
Jeffncs said:
@shawn

Rear axle housing (Dana44) has tons of space to weld onto. The fronts are TIGHT!! Love the idea of axle tabs though!
Click to expand...
On YJs I've owned and towed, I run an axle strap through the lower C (under the axle shafts) and cross'em.
Works great where there's not much tube to grab.
 
On narrow trac CJ's I have used an axle strap around the leaf spring with a strap or just wrapped a chain around the leaf spring. Used the part of the leaf spring behind the axle and pulled the opposite direction.
 
Bleepin Jeep did a pretty cool video on why you shouldn’t cross your straps. I’ll never cross them again.
 
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