Hi All,

I've had my sportage for about 18 months and haven't done a lot with it yet as life keeps getting in the way. But it's time to get out again so I need to start preping the Kia.

It's a 2001 long wheel base model and crawling under the front and rear has revealed there are no recovery points. Is this normal? There are several flat plates with threaded holes in them in the right spots welded to the chasis but no proper points. I haven't been down to the local 4WD mechanics to get them to weld points on but is there anything I should know about getting points put on the kia?


Cheers

Andrew

Ps. As a side issue and I know I should read the very long sticky thread first but did people suceed in getting diff lockers in the end?

Just go for any spot on the frame. my 99 sport has 2 loops welded at the end of the frame in the rear and 2 square loop things in the front that have been working fine so far,not that the sport ever needed a pull out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />Just keep it on the frame <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> [color:"#666666"] [/color]

as for points, there should be the spots just mentioned, and I personally throw d rings on all 4 points for easier hook up on the trail.

as for your other question, the greek lockers are still under development and testing, no word at all on when they will be available, and the tf lockers from korea are a total bust as nobody has been successful in getting in contact with them.

sorry for the double post but here is some pics, just look on your truck where i have the d rings! should be rite there.





hope that helps!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

what size tyres u runnin DF......

Thats were my rings are <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and at work we ripped a 5' strap so I'am having the ends sewn to give me two 2'1/2 straps,one for the front and one for the back <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

i am running 31 x 10.5's as of now. might go bigger when it comes time to replace them next year. all depends on a few things though.

I wouldn't put too much faith in the front tie-down square loops. That's all they were designed for. tying down our rigs for transport. The metal is sheet quality and the welds are very weak. I broke my driver's compleaty off the first month owning her. The weld beads on the other are cracked bad from hitting the same rock repeatedly trying to cross a creek. I wrap a rovery stap to the round cross member tube that goes below the radiator for pulling someone back. Rear has a Curt 2" receiver hitch with a shackle. Never took a good look at the rear tie-dowm loops for strength.

well so far so good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but maybe I'll rework them just to be safe <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

i put on aftermarket tow points one front and one rear they are bolt on i used 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts and are bolted directly to the frame they require them for must of the runs up here they have to be bolted can't be welded i'll try to post pics rear was preety easy lots of room but front was a little tighter you have to watch out for the radiator on the other side of the frame.