Sliders installed. Took longer than expected. Had to call Shrockworks and had a very positive experience with them. Just had a bit of a gap on one side and had to make sure it was ok to tighten it down. They had me take pics and got an email back quick with a snug it down and enjoy.
Installed and as sexy as Jeff Randall. Or is it pretty. Im unsure. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and a bit scary on the install. Had to drop the gas tank on a bottle jack while installing. And of course when i was tightening the last bolt for the skid the wrench fell between the tank and the skid so i had to start over. Cant wait to test them out.
Looking good, I like how they tuck high and tight close to the body. I had a full set of Schrock skids on the Xterra, I was impressed at how well everything lined up. When I did a lift kit on my friends new 4Runner. I was impressed that the 4Runners have pretty thick stock skid plates from the factory. Way thicker than I have seen on other 4x4 or even the older Land Cruisers.
A previous SAR member gave me one of these for my recovery kit. I think it's an awesome thing to keep on-hand if you need to recover a vehicle without proper tow/recovery points, or if they are not accessible. These allow you to hook into the slots or holes along the vehicle frame to be used as a tow point. They are usually called Frame Hooks, Frame Keys, Cluster Hooks etc.
For sure - with tension on it, they should stay put but might require re-rigging if they shift around. I can think of a few occasions where these would have been a much better option than what we've had to do...tie-rods, axles, frame-wraps, small tow hooks etc.
After market recovery points for overlanders is also a great investment. I can recall the numerous time I have used a LCA as a recovery point on vehicles with IFS. Those front hooks usually are not very strong and more for securing a vehicle for transport on a flat bed. Thats also a big plus when purchasing after market front and rear bumpers. Amazing pictures, whats the name of the little hook tool? That would be way better than the extra shackles I usually carry.
Those were both from the same trip/same truck. He was not properly prepared for the terrain or weather, and did have proper recovery points. I think he had a little too much bravado and machismo in his coffee that morning, too!
My brother and I have been working on this as a Christmas gift for my Dad's Tacoma. Weld together front plate bumper. It's been an awesome and fun project - we're gonna put together a rear bumper for him next.
Did my first recovery last week. Was really cool to see the winch all properly set up and pull our farm truck out of the mud like nothing. I need more practice.
It's pretty amazing what you can do with a winch and a snatch block (or two)! It's an art form in and of itself, but one to be well-respected and appreciated. I've been "appointed" as the Training Officer for our 4x4 SAR unit, and will be planning a winch training soon. Would probably be a good opportunity to flood this thread with good info. and pictures...or start a new thread. We'll see what happens and how much time I can stand in front of screen.