Just my opinion. Find a factory hitch, you don't ever need to tow anything with it, but the mounting is much stronger. You already have a pass. side nut strip on a 2000. There are lots of uses besides very light duty "recovery".
I have one on the '96 4 cyl. 2 wd. It's saved the bumper going down steep drop offs. I've carried a moped, dresser and soon a very tiny trailer on one of those hitch mount shelves, very handy.
I would love a hitch but I can't find one cheap enough. Moneys tough right now. Not only am I saving for my Jeep, but for my drumset, college, and clothes, so I can't afford to pay for a hitch. $30 for a hook and bracket doesnt seem bad to me.
If money is that tight you should reconsider offroading, at least anywhere that you can get stuck. What happens when you break your exhaust or something on a rock or get mud in your alternator?
If money is that tight you should reconsider offroading, at least anywhere that you can get stuck. What happens when you break your exhaust or something on a rock or get mud in your alternator?
Grant it, I wouldn't use this set up to pull the dead weight of a XJ up a near vertical ravine; but it does server the function the original poster has in mind for. When used in conjuntion with the nut strip, it's a factory designed recovery point; which is better than nothing.
I've got one and have used it on various occasions. It's worked fine as it was designed to....