Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fishmunger · 08-29-2020, 10:22 PM

Hey guys,

When I was looking into putting tow hooks on my 72 K10 I did a bunch of research here and determined there was no way I was spending $500 for factory ones. Got a pair at HF, made some backing/spacer plates out of 3/16” and 1/4” steel (to space them just right so they clear the bottom edge of the bumper), and voila, 4 holes and a few hours later I got tow hooks! I think they look pretty nice and they sure ain’t going anywhere. Figured the broke guys out there might appreciate this...!

**Jcfcamaro** · 08-29-2020, 10:41 PM

Look good and I'm with you about the cost of factory ones. Wait 5-7yrs when the market drops out on these trucks and the price will be alot less.

tutone · 08-31-2020, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcfcamaro

Look good and I'm with you about the cost of factory ones. Wait 5-7yrs when the market drops out on these trucks and the price will be alot less.

That will work out just about right. I will have mine finished and looking for tow hooks that will be worth more than the truck. It usually works that way for me.

**Stocker** · 08-29-2020, 10:46 PM

That's exactly how I did my tow hooks decades ago, with one exception: I didn't add a second plate above the frame. I have pulled a lot of logs with those and they take everything my K20 can dish out. Can't hurt 'em!

**jocko** · 08-29-2020, 10:46 PM

I like your springy retainers - I mean the retention thingy, whatever it's called.. - nice idea, did that come with the hooks or did you make them?

**Stocker** · 08-30-2020, 12:16 AM

Similar hooks are sold without the spring retainers (?) but those hooks from HF come with them.

**Sheepdip** · 08-30-2020, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmunger

Hey guys,

When I was looking into putting tow hooks on my 72 K10 I did a bunch of research here and determined there was no way I was spending $500 for factory ones. Got a pair at HF, made some backing/spacer plates out of 3/16” and 1/4” steel (to space them just right so they clear the bottom edge of the bumper), and voila, 4 holes and a few hours later I got tow hooks! I think they look pretty nice and they sure ain’t going anywhere. Figured the broke guys out there might appreciate this...!

Absolutely nothing wrong with that!

**maverickmk** · 08-30-2020, 10:07 AM

I'm definitely stealing this idea! Nice work.

72c20customcamper · 08-30-2020, 11:08 AM

I picked up a few cheap hooks for my 68. I cant bring myself to pay for OEM hooks

fourspeedwagon · 08-31-2020, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I picked up a few cheap hooks for my 68. I cant bring myself to pay for OEM hooks

Where’d you find the curved “sheep horn” shaped hooks to the right in the pic?
Thanks- Greg

72c20customcamper · 08-31-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourspeedwagon

Where’d you find the curved “sheep horn” shaped hooks to the right in the pic?
Thanks- Greg

Pick up all 4 for 35 bucks on craigslist

gmc684x4 · 08-30-2020, 02:12 PM

You can hit the pick a part yards too and look at other trucks for hooks

**Stocker** · 08-30-2020, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

You can hit the pick a part yards too and look at other trucks for hooks

True -- but at 8 bucks a pop at HF, including springs & mounting hardware, it's hard to beat. Unless you're looking for something different.

**Ol Blue K20** · 08-30-2020, 04:02 PM

I used a harbor freight hook on the bottom of my winch bumper. Gives a nice place to hook the winch cable.

toolboxchev · 08-30-2020, 06:35 PM

If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school.

Just sayin, but thats me.

72c20customcamper · 08-30-2020, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school.

Just sayin, but thats me.

Dont do much mudding do ya.

**Stocker** · 08-30-2020, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school.

Just sayin, but thats me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Dont do much mudding do ya.

Or pull logs out to a place where you can cut 'em.

Or anything else that requires a good healthy tug on something!

fishmunger · 08-30-2020, 08:24 PM

Glad you guys like em, hard to beat for 8 bucks!

**Sheepdip** · 08-31-2020, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

Or pull logs out to a place where you can cut 'em.

Or anything else that requires a good healthy tug on something!

In my younger years my brothers and I cut our own mountain oak firewood and my fathers also.
All of the easy and/or uphill stuff was usually cut first by the locals, we would winch the downhill wood up onto the road where we could easily cut and load it.

**Ol Blue K20** · 08-30-2020, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school.

Just sayin, but thats me.

So your truck is an asphalt queen.....

....

**jocko** · 08-30-2020, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school.

Just sayin, but thats me.

Some of us would actually stop to assist one of those, you know, 'less skilled' drivers or mechanics get out of a ditch. Just sayin, but that's just me.

**Stocker** · 08-30-2020, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

Some of us would actually stop to assist one of those, you know, 'less skilled' drivers or mechanics get out of a ditch. Just sayin, but that's just me.

Yessir, been there & done that more than a couple times.

sick472 · 08-31-2020, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the thread...this is exactly what I have been hoping I could do. What did you do for the back? Anything?

Southcity · 08-31-2020, 02:21 PM

Great alternative to OEM and looks great! thanks for sharing. I heard somewhere that OEM tow hooks were white? or perhaps that is only certain years? someone on this board please school us.

**maverickmk** · 08-31-2020, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southcity

Great alternative to OEM and looks great! thanks for sharing. I heard somewhere that OEM tow hooks were white? or perhaps that is only certain years? someone on this board please school us.

I thought for sure there was a thread about the tow hook color, but I cannot find it. Here is a thread about the different tow hooks used on these trucks:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=378030&page=3

This thread has some information as well:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559498

08-29-2020, 10:22 PM	#1
fishmunger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 411	Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Hey guys, When I was looking into putting tow hooks on my 72 K10 I did a bunch of research here and determined there was no way I was spending $500 for factory ones. Got a pair at HF, made some backing/spacer plates out of 3/16” and 1/4” steel (to space them just right so they clear the bottom edge of the bumper), and voila, 4 holes and a few hours later I got tow hooks! I think they look pretty nice and they sure ain’t going anywhere. Figured the broke guys out there might appreciate this...! Attached Images

08-29-2020, 10:41 PM	#2
Jcfcamaro Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Fairfax, Missouri Posts: 1,049	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Look good and I'm with you about the cost of factory ones. Wait 5-7yrs when the market drops out on these trucks and the price will be alot less.

08-29-2020, 10:46 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,722	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) That's exactly how I did my tow hooks decades ago, with one exception: I didn't add a second plate above the frame. I have pulled a lot of logs with those and they take everything my K20 can dish out. Can't hurt 'em! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

08-29-2020, 10:46 PM	#5
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) I like your springy retainers - I mean the retention thingy, whatever it's called.. - nice idea, did that come with the hooks or did you make them?

08-30-2020, 12:16 AM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,722	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Similar hooks are sold without the spring retainers (?) but those hooks from HF come with them. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

08-30-2020, 10:07 AM	#8
maverickmk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Cocoa FL Posts: 596	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) I'm definitely stealing this idea! Nice work. __________________ Die with memories, not dreams. Not to brag, but I don't need alcohol to make really bad decisions. 1969 GMC Short Step Side

08-30-2020, 11:08 AM	#9
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,716	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) I picked up a few cheap hooks for my 68. I cant bring myself to pay for OEM hooks Attached Images __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

08-30-2020, 02:12 PM	#12
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) You can hit the pick a part yards too and look at other trucks for hooks

08-30-2020, 04:02 PM	#14
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,245	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) I used a harbor freight hook on the bottom of my winch bumper. Gives a nice place to hook the winch cable. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

08-30-2020, 06:35 PM	#15
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) If I gotta add tow hooks to my rig, I know I need to go back to mechanics or drivers school. Just sayin, but thats me.

08-30-2020, 08:24 PM	#18
fishmunger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 411	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Glad you guys like em, hard to beat for 8 bucks!

08-31-2020, 02:13 PM	#23
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,131	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Thanks for the thread...this is exactly what I have been hoping I could do. What did you do for the back? Anything? __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

08-31-2020, 02:21 PM	#24
Southcity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,177	Re: Installed: cheap harborfreight tow hooks (pics) Great alternative to OEM and looks great! thanks for sharing. I heard somewhere that OEM tow hooks were white? or perhaps that is only certain years? someone on this board please school us. __________________ 66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban



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