New replica tow hooks!

[72ironmike]

Originally Posted by B. W.

New 69-71 tow hooks on e-bay. Close copies of the originals, the curves aren't quite right. (Not mine)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1972-C...FaZCNI&vxp=mtr

B.W. is right. They just aren't quite right in appearance to OEM. That says it all.

[Coley]

For all the use I would actually put them through, in all reality (ie zero)....I think I'll just get some pics of some and keep them in the glovebox.

lol

Coley

[Killer Bee]

^^^

[jocko]

I don't think the issue is as much whether they are less strong or more strong than factory hooks - the issue I have is that they ARE different (one way or the other) yet they are made specifically and on purpose to be indistinguishable from GM hooks (aside from the bogus bend) to include part number. So in the future the third hand buyer will think he has the safety of GM factory hooks. And he might have even more, or he might have much less. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the $50 hooks that more than meet the actual need have been fully proven to actually be that strong. They're just inexpensive because they're not a rare part. Whether originality is important to a specific truck owner is a matter of personal preference and the intended use of the truck. But all that aside, misrepresentation of a GM part (and its inherent strength with the engineering behind it to give you the warm fuzzy that it's "probably pretty strong because GM for dang sure protected itself against liability") is just flat wrong. Given the various reasons we like trucks, I'm not sure there's gonna be a long line of folks to buy hooks with, at the very least, unknown strength. If the background engineering proof were present to claim a certain strength level, then many folks would probably accept these as a substitute that's "good enough" in the looks department. Until that time when the engineering data is shared, the part number is removed, and they are proven to be more than just cosmetic, they are a huge risk to an uninformed buyer that thinks any tow hook "must" be strong if it's being sold to the public"... The seller is taking a pretty big risk too. If they are indeed strong, then the info to prove a product should be included - otherwise, it might as well be plastic.

[mike16]

no... the issue is that:
they are not stronger
they are castings
the cost more
they are dangerous
it is a deceptive practice.

[Hotcorner]

Are there any good quality aftermarket hooks available? Could've used some last weekend.

[hjewell2]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/07-12-Chevr...8AAOSw9OFZJYM7

we better start snagging these maybe

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Hotcorner

Are there any good quality aftermarket hooks available? Could've used some last weekend.

Post #49 shows the same type hooks I have used for decades. Cheap and very tough, I have abused them a lot and they just take it, no damage.

[davepl]

Someone should 3D Print a bunch in black plastic. You'd have the look and no one would try to tow off it, because it'd be obvious once you touched it!

[B. W.]

Except, knowing the human condition, someone would try to use it!

[Coley]

Originally Posted by B. W.

Except, knowing the human condition, someone would try to use it!

...true, but the good news is that the hook would fail before any people or equipment was damaged...which is a good thing.
Sort of a mechanical fuse...


Coley

[B. W.]

Well, I just clicked on the original link, that listing ended but the item was re-listed. Price was dropped to $375 and that listing was sold. So.... we might see a YouTube video shortly of someone attempting to use it!

[fecklessgadfly]

Complete novice on this, but does the "ductile" cast iron make a difference? Is that somehow better than regular cast iron, or is he just adding random words?

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by fecklessgadfly

Complete novice on this, but does the "ductile" cast iron make a difference? Is that somehow better than regular cast iron, or is he just adding random words?

Ductile iron has a different alloy composition than gray cast iron...
in simple terms "ductile" means that the material can bend and flex somewhat without breaking...
cast iron cannot bend and flex...
neither are as strong as forged steel....

[harpo231]

Originally Posted by fecklessgadfly

Complete novice on this, but does the "ductile" cast iron make a difference? Is that somehow better than regular cast iron, or is he just adding random words?

Ductile refers to a more malleable steel which allows for the hook to bend and not snap off when reaching limit....

The purpose of the recovery hook is to provide a safe and secure point from which to
recover a stuck vehicle. The hook should be strong enough to enable the recovery
of a stuck vehicle, but more importantly must be designed so that if recovery forces
exceed the design forces, it fails in a safe manner. To do so the hook must bend
and release the rope. If the hook fails by breaking, the loose metal becomes a
potentially lethal missile.

[fecklessgadfly]

Thanks, ya'll makes sense.

[dmjlambert]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Post #49 shows the same type hooks I have used for decades. Cheap and very tough, I have abused them a lot and they just take it, no damage.

I think those are interesting. Could you post pictures of where you have them mounted on your truck? Did you have to drill holes in the frame?

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

I think those are interesting. Could you post pictures of where you have them mounted on your truck? Did you have to drill holes in the frame?

No luck yet, sorry. I'm using my wife's camera and took a few pics but can't figure how to download them to the computer. Wife can't find the manual.

The front hooks are mounted on the bottom of the frame rails, just under the bumper. Had to drill holes in the frame and make a spacer (about 1/4" thick) so they'd clear the bumper. The single rear hook is mounted to the step bumper.

If we get this camera business figured out I'll post some pics.