81 and up tow hook question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**too much stuff** · 12-12-2013, 12:48 AM

I just picked up 2 sets of tow hooks for the 81 and up trucks. One set has a slight curve where it mounts and the other set has alot of curve where it mounts. I know the ones with less curve are the common ones. What application is the other set? That is the second set i have seen with the extreme bend in them. Rears maybe?

83GMCK2500 · 12-12-2013, 01:08 AM

Holy moly! I am curious now as well, I have never seen the extremely bent ones.

66skylarkpost · 12-12-2013, 06:02 AM

I'd say the bent one ,. is jus that bent lol

**too much stuff** · 12-12-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66skylarkpost

I'd say the bent one ,. is jus that bent lol

I don't think so, I have a left and right like that and its the second pair i have had with that much bend.

**too much stuff** · 12-13-2013, 11:51 AM

Someone must know something about these. It is factory... Also the second set of them i have owned.

**too much stuff** · 12-16-2013, 08:05 PM

Anyone care to venture a guess even?

Oldriginal86 · 12-16-2013, 08:41 PM

I'm game. The pair on the left is from a 2wd. Right shows a 4x4 pair. Believe the 4wd trucks had a longer air dam so the hooks needed to be lower.

**too much stuff** · 12-16-2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldriginal86

I'm game. The pair on the left is from a 2wd. Right shows a 4x4 pair. Believe the 4wd trucks had a longer air dam so the hooks needed to be lower.

Sounds likes its possible. In the pic in post 5 the pair on the right are the oddballs. The pair on the left i have pulled alot of from 4x4s. Maybe a 2wd without an air dam?
Thanks for your input.

DirtyLarry · 12-17-2013, 01:31 AM

I agree with Oldriginal86. I’ll go in with the tight curved ones belong to a 2wd. There is also a third set for 81-91 that you don’t see often but we ran across some at the junk yard the other day. The third set are much larger very similar to the ’73-’80 hooks. After I grabbed the usual pair for my Burb member Zoomad75 grabbed the big ones from a 1 ton chassis cab. Not sure if the large ones were an SEO or typical of 1 tons.

This is a picture from elsewhere on the web, but the large ones like Zoomad75 found the other day are like the two rustier hooks below.

**too much stuff** · 12-18-2013, 11:21 PM

So we are thinking 2wd on the really bent pair.
Dirtylarry, i can't see your pic but would like to if you can load it.
Thanks.

**Zoomad75** · 12-20-2013, 01:47 AM

Here's the ones we found the last weekend. These are thicker than the standard 81 and up hooks. We found them on a 1 ton Cab and Chassis. Everything else is similar in the bends and mounting to the standard hooks. I'll I can say is these things are BEEFY.

[IMG][URL=http://s445.photobucket.com/user/zoomad75/media/Mobile%20Uploads/NCM_0178.JPG.html]

KrazyRay · 12-20-2013, 09:53 AM

I pulled a set of the beefy ones from an 81 3/4 ton. What year was the cab and chassis? I'm thinking the beefy ones could a 1 year only 81.

**too much stuff** · 12-20-2013, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the pic zoomad. So it looks like 4 styles of tow hooks used from 73-91...
Ray, you have a set like the ones pictured by zoomad? Or mine?

KrazyRay · 12-21-2013, 01:17 AM

All of my sets of tow hooks were pulled from 4wd and none of them have the extra bend so I think they must be 2wd. The set from the 81 has a similar girth as the 73-80 ones. I bet GM figured they could save 2 cents per truck by thinning up the hooks.

Oldriginal86 · 12-21-2013, 10:30 PM

Looked at mine tonite, they look like the right ones in the post 5 pic.. My truck is 2wd. Hope this solves the mystery.

DirtyLarry · 12-21-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

I pulled a set of the beefy ones from an 81 3/4 ton. What year was the cab and chassis? I'm thinking the beefy ones could a 1 year only 81.

The chassis cab Zoomad and I got them from was an ’89 or ’90 but still the square body style. I snagged the hydraulic clutch pedals from this same truck a few years ago. I'm thinking the beefy hooks were either an SEO option or sold as GM accessory.

KrazyRay · 12-22-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

The chassis cab Zoomad and I got them from was an ’89 or ’90 but still the square body style. I snagged the hydraulic clutch pedals from this same truck a few years ago. I'm thinking the beefy hooks were either an SEO option or sold as GM accessory.

That's probably the case. The 81 truck wasn't even heavy duty as it had a semi float rear end. And some of my hooks came from 88-91 crew cab 1 ton 4wd and they were the regular hooks.

Dooley · 12-22-2013, 12:48 PM

Just for contrast here are a couple pics of an original set from my 1977-1980 K30 trucks.

**Ironhorse** · 11-08-2021, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomad75

Here's the ones we found the last weekend. These are thicker than the standard 81 and up hooks. We found them on a 1 ton Cab and Chassis. Everything else is similar in the bends and mounting to the standard hooks. I'll I can say is these things are BEEFY.

[IMG][URL=http://s445.photobucket.com/user/zoomad75/media/Mobile%20Uploads/NCM_0178.JPG.html]

I have a set of those exact same tow hooks I recently acquired! Trying to find out if those are just a ONE TON only square body thing. Have never seen those before now. Look very similar to the 81-87 hooks normally seen but these are MUCH, MUCH BEEFIER for sure. Appreciate any info from anyone.

12-12-2013, 12:48 AM	#1
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	81 and up tow hook question I just picked up 2 sets of tow hooks for the 81 and up trucks. One set has a slight curve where it mounts and the other set has alot of curve where it mounts. I know the ones with less curve are the common ones. What application is the other set? That is the second set i have seen with the extreme bend in them. Rears maybe? Attached Images __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-12-2013, 01:08 AM	#2
83GMCK2500 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State Posts: 1,515	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Holy moly! I am curious now as well, I have never seen the extremely bent ones. __________________ Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96

12-12-2013, 06:02 AM	#3
66skylarkpost Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kearney,nebraska Posts: 443	Re: 81 and up tow hook question I'd say the bent one ,. is jus that bent lol __________________ '70 k-10 longbox- mid 70's drivetrain 350/350 487x heads 10.1:1 flowmasters ,35's 3.73's auburn posi ,rear shackle flip. '72 short stepside U.S. forestry truck, '73 455 buick,400 turbo,dropped 2"-4 1/4" ,3.07 posi,:'89 silverado 1500 ,OK truck ,5.7 holley tbi ,trick 700r4 3.07 auburn posi ,and my '66 skylark ,'73 centurion and my '84 monte carlo imca stock car

12-13-2013, 11:51 AM	#5
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Someone must know something about these. It is factory... Also the second set of them i have owned. Attached Images __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-16-2013, 08:05 PM	#6
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Anyone care to venture a guess even? __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-16-2013, 08:41 PM	#7
Oldriginal86 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 160	Re: 81 and up tow hook question I'm game. The pair on the left is from a 2wd. Right shows a 4x4 pair. Believe the 4wd trucks had a longer air dam so the hooks needed to be lower.

12-17-2013, 01:31 AM	#9
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: 81 and up tow hook question I agree with Oldriginal86. I’ll go in with the tight curved ones belong to a 2wd. There is also a third set for 81-91 that you don’t see often but we ran across some at the junk yard the other day. The third set are much larger very similar to the ’73-’80 hooks. After I grabbed the usual pair for my Burb member Zoomad75 grabbed the big ones from a 1 ton chassis cab. Not sure if the large ones were an SEO or typical of 1 tons. This is a picture from elsewhere on the web, but the large ones like Zoomad75 found the other day are like the two rustier hooks below. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

12-18-2013, 11:21 PM	#10
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	Re: 81 and up tow hook question So we are thinking 2wd on the really bent pair. Dirtylarry, i can't see your pic but would like to if you can load it. Thanks. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-20-2013, 01:47 AM	#11
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Here's the ones we found the last weekend. These are thicker than the standard 81 and up hooks. We found them on a 1 ton Cab and Chassis. Everything else is similar in the bends and mounting to the standard hooks. I'll I can say is these things are BEEFY. [IMG][URL=http://s445.photobucket.com/user/zoomad75/media/Mobile%20Uploads/NCM_0178.JPG.html] __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

12-20-2013, 09:53 AM	#12
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: 81 and up tow hook question I pulled a set of the beefy ones from an 81 3/4 ton. What year was the cab and chassis? I'm thinking the beefy ones could a 1 year only 81.

12-20-2013, 11:34 AM	#13
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,786	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Thanks for the pic zoomad. So it looks like 4 styles of tow hooks used from 73-91... Ray, you have a set like the ones pictured by zoomad? Or mine? __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-21-2013, 01:17 AM	#14
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: 81 and up tow hook question All of my sets of tow hooks were pulled from 4wd and none of them have the extra bend so I think they must be 2wd. The set from the 81 has a similar girth as the 73-80 ones. I bet GM figured they could save 2 cents per truck by thinning up the hooks. Attached Images

12-21-2013, 10:30 PM	#15
Oldriginal86 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 160	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Looked at mine tonite, they look like the right ones in the post 5 pic.. My truck is 2wd. Hope this solves the mystery.

12-22-2013, 12:48 PM	#18
Dooley Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Coast Posts: 1,012	Re: 81 and up tow hook question Just for contrast here are a couple pics of an original set from my 1977-1980 K30 trucks. Attached Images



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