Factory tow hooks for cheap

[71gmcC15]

If your like me and think the original tow hooks are stupidly over priced then I have the solution for you. Go down to any junk yard and grap a set of tow hooks from any 88-98 4x4. They fit great. You do have to drill two holes. You will whant the plate that goes inside the frame of the obs's. The bolts are metric thead and the plates are as you gessed threaded for metric bolts.

[toolboxchev]

Thanks, have 2 sets. Its a great idea to install them................................................................................................ .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... ....................................................I'm still driving mine every day!

[71gmcC15]

It's a great way to provent people from pulling on the bumper like I've seen so many times.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Brilliant. What size metric wrenches do I need to have in my hip pocket when I cruise the junkyard?

[71gmcC15]

All you need is an 18mm. And only one.

[GASoline71]

For practicality I'm sure they work good.

But I dunno... they look out of place on a 67-72 to me.

Gary

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

For practicality I'm sure they work good.

But I dunno... they look out of place on a 67-72 to me.

Gary

I don't think the stand out that much

[Grumpy old man]

Well... You just don't see much need for tow hooks on the front of a 2 wheel drive . The extreme bend hooks were a 72 only thing If I'm not mistaken so that could justify some of the cost .

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Well... You just don't see much need for tow hooks on the front of a 2 wheel drive . The extreme bend hooks were a 72 only thing If I'm not mistaken so that could justify some of the cost .

I understand that they are rare and hard to find. But rare should not mean expensive. And I wanted tow hook on my two wheel drive because they can get stuck to. Just because you don't off road it does not mean your not going to put in a ditch in the winter or if it breaks down and i need to flat tow it. Its a convenients thing.

[dmjlambert]

Could you show pictures of how it is mounted?

[71gmcC15]

I will get some pictures of how it's mounted tomarrow.

[71gmcC15]

They mount kida like factory

[72supr]

Great thinking.Thats how we do things in Dakota.

[cypressbog]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

For practicality I'm sure they work good.

But I dunno... they look out of place on a 67-72 to me.

Gary

Definitely not a NEW idea, and definitely not something I even considered in the 30 years around these trucks. To each their own, if you like it, do it. You don't need our approval to do anything to your truck.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

Definitely not a NEW idea, and definitely not something I even considered in the 30 years around these trucks. To each their own, if you like it, do it. You don't need our approval to do anything to your truck.

Absolutely! I don't give a rip what he does to his truck...

Just cuz I don't like the way they look means I can't comment?

Gary

[71gmcC15]

I was just showing somthing i did. I don't expect every one to like it. And I was not looking for approval. Just planting the idea for other people that wanted tow hooks and can't justify spending $300 + on a set. No it is not a new idea. I never said it was. But at the same time I have not Seen anyone els do it.

[dmjlambert]

Thanks for the pictures and story. I like it and would like to do that also.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

But rare should not mean expensive.

Actually, that is exactly what rare means. IF it's a desirable thing. Some paint combos are rare, but they're rare because they may be hideous.. so in that case, I'd agree. But, whether we like it or now, factory tow hooks, in 69-72, especially the extreme bends in 72, are both rare and desirable. Having said all that, I'm with you, I can't stomach the asking prices either - I felt like I was getting ripped off when I bought a set years ago for about 1/5th of the asking prices nowadays. So, alternatives are great things, and function is all the really matters. Speaking of function, keep in mind that when these hooks were mounted on T400 trucks, they were mounted horizontally. As far back and vertical as yours are mounted, if you had any up angle at all on a chain that someone was using to pull you out (which would almost always be the case), I suspect you'd damage your bumper as the chain will ride all the way up to the root of the hook - just because holes are there doesn't mean they provide the best mounting angle for later year truck hooks.

[71gmcC15]

Thinking about it. your right about the meaning of rare joko.I drilled my own holes. As for the chain hitting the bumper I tested it just by rapping the chain around them and pulling up as much as I could and my grill gaurd uprights get in the way of the chain to hit the bumper.other wise yes it would rub on the bumper a little. But not enough to worrie about.

[jocko]

Glad you tested it a little, sounds like it will work just fine then. I've got a set of these sitting around the barn somewhere too, and had a set on a 92 I had once. Nice to have when you need em - and think of the money you saved!

[dmjlambert]

Originally Posted by jocko

....Speaking of function, keep in mind that when these hooks were mounted on T400 trucks, they were mounted horizontally. As far back and vertical as yours are mounted, if you had any up angle at all on a chain that someone was using to pull you out (which would almost always be the case), I suspect you'd damage your bumper as the chain will ride all the way up to the root of the hook - just because holes are there doesn't mean they provide the best mounting angle for later year truck hooks.

For those of us who don't have grill guards, what is your recommended mounting if drilling new holes? I don't follow what you mean about the angle.

[jocko]

My feeble attempt at photoshop below... ha. What I mean is that if anyone is snatching you out of a ditch from a pull point that is above the height of your frame rail (or, I guess what I really am trying to say, in a way that the chain, once in tension, angles up from the frame and wraps under the bumper), the chain will likely ride up to the top of the hook and under your bumper when it is in tension, putting a lot of force on the bottom lip. (the yellow line would be the chain, the red arrow would be where it could damage the bumper. Maybe not, not sure. Looks like it could to me though - primarily because the hooks are pretty far back on the frame rail, that's all. The goal would be to locate them more forward. If someone were snatching you from a pull point at or below the level of your frame, it wouldn't be an issue - but real time when it's happening, you probably don't have much of a choice.

My only recommendation, and you'd have to tinker with it to see if it would work or not, is to mimic the T400 approach and mount them horizontally (pics 2 & 3). Note how much more forward the hook is relative to the bumper - your chain could be in tension at a 45 deg angle and still not hit the bumper. Pic 4 kinda shows where you could drill in the bottom of the C channel for mounting points (rather than using the side of the C channel's existing holes. Not sure if you might need a block or wedge spacer to get the right angle, etc - but the goal would be to get them further forward so the bumper isn't impinged when a chain is under tension.

Not that big of an issue - but as depicted (and if you didn't have something like a grille guard to help protect as OP mentioned), then I'd be concerned you "could" damage the bumper. Not sure if it would for certain or how much, but this sounds exactly like something I would do and then wish I'd thought it out a little more afterward when it was already too late. Just thinkin out loud - when looking at it in person, probably easier to tell if it would really be a problem or not.

[dmjlambert]

Excellent pictures and explanation, thanks a bunch!

[71gmcC15]

Great way of explaning it jocko. As for mounting them horizontaly you could but the would not be able to get a chain on them vary easly. The hook part tuches the bumper making a complete loop. And you would need to space them off the frame. To clear the frout bumper overhang. It could be done but I dont think you could mount them far enough foward that way either. I was going to mount them that way but looking at how the factory mounted them I went with this. Yes I I know the factory had them farther foward.and whare smaller and thicker.so they had more room.

[In The Ten Ring]

My truck is 2WD also and at some point I'll put on some tow hooks. Unless I can luck up into some free originals, no way I am dishing out $500.00 per for what has to be an excellent item for someone else to steal.