Apex overland recovery points: review and install

Very nice recovery points and great service received from APEX. I added one of the KDSS compliant model to my right front.

 

Never used a soft shackle, looks like a good but expensive option to keep in the gear box. Don't think I'd want to leave it dangling around here. Something would eat it for sure.
Decent quality 3/4" shackles have gotten inexpensive and they are rated over 20 tons. I like to keep one attached on all my trucks, and two stashed with my tow strap. In the weather it's a lot easier & cleaner to attach the strap with a shackle already on it to the one dangling from the recovery point. You can add plastic isolators on the one dangling to help kill rattles, and always add small cable tie to safety the pin, which can vibrate loose.

wilvvibrate vibrate loose and all out if you don't.

 

I didn’t jack the vehicle at all. Crawled under there and did everything by hand. Took about 30-45 minutes tops if I recall

 

Cool thanks. Question. Did you disconnect both sides of the sway bar brackets before installing the points? And how far did they lower?

 

Did you remove your skid plate?

 

Nope

 

Anybody have the torque specs for the bolts.

 

Found them. 72, 40, 18 ft. Lbs.

 

That was easy. Thanks for the great advice.

 

Looks good. Do want.

Must ask: you in 'Bama?

 

I used to be a Parrot Head and Jimmy Buffet alter ego was Frank Bama. We use to have a Bama party. Get drunk and get/give Bama names. I organized a regatta to Havana Cuba from Tampa, thus Havanabama.

 

Mine just came today. Can’t wait to install them this weekend. Pretty cheap insurance if I ever have the need for a front recovery.

 

These recovery points have been a good alternative while saving up for a winch bumper. Thankfully haven’t gotten stuck to the point of having to use them. They aren’t compatible with the SSO bumper I ordered, so looks like I’ll have to remove mine once I receive my bumper.

 

Kinda my plan as well ...

 

The set I ordered just arrived. I’m curious how they will work with my sway bar relocation kit.

 

To anyone who cares, the KDSS-compatible version:

https://www.apexoverland.com/shop-by-brand/Front-Recovery-Points-for-KDSS-5th-Gen-4runner-p188568491

has this little bit of information:

These will work for a KDSS equipped 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner - 2010

• Installation does require removal of factory bumper and drilling holes into the frame, but install can be completed with basic tools (and some patience)

 

Installed the passenger side first and it took some time. Had to move the sway bar bushing out of the way to get the hardware in place, but managed to get it all back in place. Reused the OEM sway bar bolts because I couldn’t get the replacements bolts to take vs the stock tapered bolts. Likely user error. The drivers side was a snap.

note: I didn’t take the skid plate off, and getting to the sway bar bolts would have been much easier, especially since I couldn’t get the clearance for a torque wrench. Just gave them all I got. Did torque the 19mm bolt down to spec.

My impression is that these will be more than adequate for a recovery.

 

Looks great

 

Finally got mine installed today. Mine was made more interesting because of my sway bar relocation kit. I couldn’t use the bolts that came with the kit because the head was to big for the spacer on my relocation kit. I had read that other people just used the stock ones so I wasn’t all that fussed.

 

Question: Could these recovery points affect approach angle?

I'm ready to order a pair but then I was thinking, could these jam into a rock or log somehow and get stuck? If they stick out just a tiny bit, kind of like the stock hoops, then yeah I suppose it's possible however extremely unlikely. But it looks like they stick out a good bit in some pics.. and considering the way they hang, I was just wondering...

 

I don’t think it’s nearly enough to impede progress over an obstacle

I really don’t think they will be the reason you get hung up. I love knowing I now have trustworthy recovery points. I see so many people posting their shackles on the tow hooks, and I wouldn’t trust those to a serious snatch strap recovery.

 

Recovery points came in and I love them. Seem well built and high recommendations for them. Install was smooth over all. Took alittle more time than normal. My driver side recovery point is not flush with the frame due to what seems like a weld point sticking out alittle on the frame. Anyone else have this issue? Other than that both sides seem pretty secure. I guess the true test will be if I get stuck or someone else does!?

 

I installed mine a few months ago. If I recall correctly, they fit pretty flush. I had to put in all the bolts loose, and tighten them in a certain sequence in order to get it to fit flush though. And while I'm sure these are pretty strong and secure, my mind has a hard time wrapping itself around the fact that all the bolt holes are larger than the actual bolts.

 

Mine did the same thing. I did not like that so I figured I would loosen and try to figure out why. It’s the smallest bolt at the top of the bracket that screws the existing metal bracket (bolt closest to front grille). The metal tubing that is connected to the bracket is preventing it from sliding all the way up. Push the bracket towards the outside of the truck and push the recovery mount up and it should sit flush. You also have to hold it in place while bolting it or it will still slide back down.

 

is loctite necessary for this installation? just got my set in the mail and am looking forward to installing! (albeit a little intimidated!)

 

Install really isn't bad. For me, the hardest part of it was getting out the antiroll bar bracket bolts, because these bolt on under the brackets. After eight New England winters, they were in there pretty good and I was using hand tools.

If you have the same experience, try to work them back and forth, that will loosen them a little bit. These are not a bolt you want to manhandle and snap.

Also see some of the posts above, you have to line them up a certain way and tighten the bolts in a certain sequence in order to get it to sit flush. You might have to play around with a little bit, but you'll get it.

As far as loctite, it definitely wouldn't hurt. I didn't do it, but that reminds me maybe I should check the bolts to make sure their still snug.

 

I'm curious about someone having done the KDSS install as well. I'm not sure if you need to drop the sway bar brackets but there is likely other considerations for install.

 

I used silver anti seize. I wouldn’t use loctite just because but that’s just me. Wait till you get under there and start cranking the bolts with a ratchet and you will see. The threaded holes are painted so if you don’t intend on cleaning the threads first, the paint acts as a loctite somewhat. I checked mine recently while I was under there changing the fog lights and they haven’t budged. I installed around a year or so ago if I remember correctly. See my previous post about the one side sitting flush if you run into that issue. Good Luck.

 

I started the install tonight but quickly realized it would take longer than expected, so I reversed course.

Question about the mount around the sway bar bushing - how tight should the two bolts be? Is it possible to overtighten? I don't have a torque wrench and got it pretty tight with a 6-7" ratchet. Should I be worried about over-tightening?

I'm planning to get a digital torque wrench and reattempt when I have a larger block of time

 

Good point, I completely forgot to mention I had to run a tap through those holes in order to get the bolts to thread in. Luckily I had it on hand from my slider install. I also used silver antiseize, I use that stuff on damn near EVERYTHING haha.