Disco 1 chassis reinforcement question.

[tomalophicon]

So I've got the recovery points for a Disco 1 and I'll be looking to mount them where the stock front bumper bolts to the chassis.
I've looked around for ideas on this and other fora but cannot find any real information about whether I should be reinforcing this area before mounting the JATE rings.

If it is advisable to reinforce the area, what is an acceptable method of reinforcing? Plate steel welded on either side of the chassis? Crush tubes? Box it in?

Thanks in advance.

Tom.

[langy]

I had a look at a UK LR site offering JATE rings to refresh my memory as to what they are

Jate Rings

There have been many threads on recovery points - the better ideas have been steel plates bolted in three places on each side of the chassis rail with a drop down receiver for a rated shackle bolt.

With those JATE rings, you have to use one bolt - in the lower front bumper bar hole which already has an anti crush tube built in.

The standard disco 1 / LR recovery ring uses both the upper and lower of these front holes and has some plate to spread the load onto the chassis rail.

Whilst it's possible to beef up the chassis rail prior to fitting the JATE rings, and you can use a slightly bigger dia bolt than standard, you're still relying on one bolt.

Which is fine for occasional medium level use - if you intend going somewhere more challenging, there are plenty of threads on those other designs.

[tomalophicon]

So say if I used something that utilised both bumper bolt holes, is the reinforcement that's there enough to use that are as a recovery point?

[101RRS]

So I've got the recovery points for a Disco 1 and I'll be looking to mount them where the stock front bumper bolts to the chassis.

Doesn't the bumper bolt onto the 'crush cans' so not a good recovery point. I think you will need to go a little further back an bolt onto the actual chassis.

Garry

[tomalophicon]

Doesn't the bumper bolt onto the 'crush cans' so not a good recovery point. I think you will need to go a little further back an bolt onto the actual chassis.

Garry

I believe it bolts through both the chassis and the crush cans. From the looks of it, the crush cans are on the bumper...

[langy]

For Mr T: Yes, the JATE ring goes on the chassis rail proper, as does the standard Disco 1 two bolt recovery mount. And, yes, you can just bolt on the JATE rings in that position and they will serve as 'recovery' points - but they are not meant for heavy duty action if you get the drift.

[harry]

i wouldn't reccomend jate rings for a d1.
for the rear recovery point, if you have a hayman reese type tow bar the commonly sold block with a 4.7 tonne shackle that slides into the tow bar receiver is good enough.
on the front you should fit the front recovery plates that attach to the bumper bar attach bolts to the chassis.
these bolt holes have crush tubes built in at the factory, there is no need to strengthen the chassis.
not being computer savvy, someone else might put up a picture of what i mean, there are many people on here that can supply these .
another thing, you should take one of the bolts to a proper bolt supplier and have him provide you with the strongest bolt available in that size.
with strong bolts and good recovery points you will have no problems with recovery.
and it would be good to use 4.7 tonne shackles with an equaliser strap when recovering.
i don't reccomend leaving the shackles on the recovery points

[tomalophicon]

Thanks Harry. Does anyone have experience with the Les Richmond Automotive recovery points? They look Ok but have a hook instead of a loop.
They are listed on this page.
Recovery Gear

[chazza]

Thanks Harry. Does anyone have experience with the Les Richmond Automotive recovery points? They look Ok but have a hook instead of a loop.
They are listed on this page.
Recovery Gear

What I don't like about that page is that the breaking strain is quoted for his straps etc., when the SWL is what we need to know.

The recovery hooks don't have any SWL quoted and I wonder if two bolts per side is really enough. However; I am not an engineer so I may be quite wrong.

Ring them and ask questions about SWL - Harry suggests 4.7 tonne,

Cheers Charlie

[tomalophicon]

I had those hooks on a Defender. You get them from ARB etc... and they are rated for 4.7t. The problem is, like you say, the mounting point and mounting hardware.
I never used them for recovery before I sold the Defender, but I'd feel confident using on that space on the chassis, considering reports that it is reinforced, and I'd use both hooks at the same time with a bridal.
$190 is expensive though.