Tow hook Question

[Bethewaz]

I work for a cast iron foundry and I am considering repopping the tow hooks for 1967-1972 trucks (both versions). I would like some feedback on price point for our engineers. Is there a big demand for these in your opinion? If so, what would one pay for a set? Sorry if this post belongs elsewhere.
Cheers

[noco-k5]

I'm the new owner of a 1970 Blazer and would really like a set. With that being said I'm not sure I would pay anywhere close to what they are going for which is at least a couple of hundred dollars from what I've seen. I would definitely pay in the 100-150 dollar range for a set.

[gmc 2500 4x4]

prob should be in the message board section. i will b looking for a set soon for my '68 rebuild

[Bethewaz]

Originally Posted by noco-k5

I'm the new owner of a 1970 Blazer and would really like a set. With that being said I'm not sure I would pay anywhere close to what they are going for which is at least a couple of hundred dollars from what I've seen. I would definitely pay in the 100-150 dollar range for a set.

Thank you for the input. I cant believe them costing more than $100 / pair

[29od1]

I think the tow hooks were drop forged, but I'm not sure. Does your foundry have a post process that can do that? I'm not sure a casting alone would be strong enough to actually use?

Although at $450+ for the extreme bend 72 only hooks, I'm not sure you'd want to "pull" to hard on them either

[Bethewaz]

Originally Posted by 29od1

I think the tow hooks were drop forged, but I'm not sure. Does your foundry have a post process that can do that? I'm not sure a casting alone would be strong enough to actually use?

Oh. Not sure on that one. Thats a bit above my pay grade.

[PT'S 70 CST]

I can tell you this. I was looking to do this a few years ago and posted the same question as you and got the crap kicked out of me by members that are sitting on these OE ones. If you repop these the price of the OE ones will fall like a hot rock. I am neutral to the idea but do not be surprised if you have some hate mail . I say if you have the means and can afford it then go for it but you have to think about selling something like this. If someone were to tow something, try and pull up a stump ect. and one of your repops breaks and someone were to get seriously hurt there could be some serious legal issues involved. I would maybe speak to someone that has their own business and see what you would need to do to make it legit to keep from having any legal issues should someone get hurt by one of your tow hooks. Just my 2 cents.


Good luck PT

[71swb4x4]

An engineer at your foundry really needs to take a look at this. Make sure they can do what they are supposed to do.

If they are a good reproduction I would consider a set of the pre 69 hooks. I probably wouldn't pay over $100 shipped for them.

[Drewbee]

I'd definitely be interested in a set of 72 extreme bends. I work for an FAA repair station and can tell you we stress test a lot of components and I've seen others that get into selling parts for the airlines by going through a BUNCH of stress tests to ensure that they wont give out under the load. If you have an engineer they should definitely follow suit in testing the bajeebees out of it. Please understand I say it because I don't want anyone to get sued for trying to do well.

[PT'S 70 CST]

Yeah there is alot more to doing something like this then just getting some hooks poured. You could make a good lick off of this but I would dot my i's and cross my t's before I jumped into doing it.


PT

[72supermike]

I once looked into having re-pops made since I have owned all 3 styles at one time. the thing you would have to consider is are they for the look or could you actually use them. Cast iron would look good but wouldn't be strong enough for real pulling. You would need cast steel or better to be usable. It costs a lot to reproduce these hooks (and need to do it in quantity to lower costs of production) and for the lower price you would be able to get for them, you would need to sell a LOT of them. You might end up with a lot of tow hooks sitting in you garage for a long time. But, I could be wrong though. Maybe just try it and let us know how it turns out

[Bethewaz]

Originally Posted by 72supermike

I once looked into having re-pops made since I have owned all 3 styles at one time. the thing you would have to consider is are they for the look or could you actually use them. Cast iron would look good but wouldn't be strong enough for real pulling. You would need cast steel or better to be usable. It costs a lot to reproduce these hooks (and need to do it in quantity to lower costs of production) and for the lower price you would be able to get for them, you would need to sell a LOT of them. You might end up with a lot of tow hooks sitting in you garage for a long time. But, I could be wrong though. Maybe just try it and let us know how it turns out

We do Gray Iron, which I agree may not be enough, but we do Ductile iron as well, which is much stronger. We actually do transmission housings for GM and engine blocks etc., so we can get the requirements of the hooks from GM (Tensile strength, proof loads, etc.) I will ask tomorrow. Thanks!

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Bethewaz

I cant believe them costing more than $100 / pair

What a and less than a hundred bucks to boot , once reproed the V76 factory OE tow hooks will no longer be a sought after option or have the cool factor anymore due to being found on everybodys uncles, brothers, mothers, cousins, father-n-laws, nephews rigs. Heck @ $100. or less they're would be no need in stopping there, I'd put a set or two on the duramax and could also probably get my sister talked into a set for her dodge 3500, now Mel

[PT'S 70 CST]

Stainless would be cool that way you could polish them.


PT

[Bethewaz]

Originally Posted by Classic Bowties

What a and less than a hundred bucks to boot , once reproed the V76 factory OE tow hooks will no longer be a sought after option or have the cool factor anymore due to being found on everybodys uncles, brothers, mothers, cousins, father-n-laws, nephews rigs. Heck @ $100. or less they're would be no need in stopping there, I'd put a set or two on the duramax and could also probably get my sister talked into a set for her dodge 3500, now Mel

LOL! Would you be one of those "Hook Hoarders" ??

[PT'S 70 CST]

Mel NO !!!!!! He does not have any cool stuff




PT

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Bethewaz

LOL! Would you be one of those "Hook Hoarders" ??

Who me? I am still looking and trying to find me an original set yet and I have been into these trucks pretty heavy for twenty years now. Maybe someday soon... Mel

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by Classic Bowties

Who me? I am still looking and trying to find me an original set yet and I have been into these trucks pretty heavy for twenty years now. Maybe someday soon... Mel

Me too...

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by PT'S 70 CST

Mel NO !!!!!! He does not have any cool stuff


PT

Whatcha talkin bout willis ? ? ?

[viking427]

Originally Posted by Bethewaz

We do Gray Iron, which I agree may not be enough, but we do Ductile iron as well, which is much stronger. We actually do transmission housings for GM and engine blocks etc., so we can get the requirements of the hooks from GM (Tensile strength, proof loads, etc.) I will ask tomorrow. Thanks!

Just do what all the other reproduction parts houses do with their chinese junk and add the disclaimer "for display purposes only" to get around liability. Heck you won't even have to worry about paying GM licensing royalty fees for repoping their parts if you make them "discernably different" in appearance from originals, like say for instance, adding your own forging mark/insignia/embossment on the mounting flats ..where it'll never be seen once the hooks are bolted onto the frame In any case, with originals flipping for $300-$400/set, Id bet $150-$200 is in range for excellent repops (identical shape, part numbers, grain etc.).

[Bethewaz]

Originally Posted by viking427

Just do what all the other reproduction parts houses do with their chinese junk and add the disclaimer "for display purposes only" to get around liability. Heck you won't even have to worry about paying GM licensing royalty fees for repoping their parts if you make them "discernably different" in appearance from originals, like say for instance, adding your own forging mark/insignia/embossment on the mounting flats ..where it'll never be seen once the hooks are bolted onto the frame In any case, with originals flipping for $300-$400/set, Id bet $150-$200 is in range for excellent repops (identical shape, part numbers, grain etc.).

And these would be made in the good ole USA!

[nbrfd007]

Made in the USA, I will need 2 sets.
Good idea!!
Tim

[1972RedNeck]

I need two sets for a '72.

[bignbad]

if you can make them then make them. I think people on here are asking way to much for the tow hooks on here.They buy from a bone yard for around 20 bucks or so then sell them for 200.00 or 300.00 yeah they paint them and make them all pretty and so on but thats still way to much for a set of hooks... thats my opinion

[s_nova69]

It is a great idea to repop these hooks. If you have your engineer involved I am sure he would consider the tensile stress and shear if they were to be used for pulling etc. The price of others hooks would drop but this site is all about preserving these trucks for future generations and what a way to do it by making a part that is almost extinct available to everyone.

There is no reason not to get this done if you can arrange it. You would sell LOTS of them at 100-200 per set. I would want a couple sets for things I am working on.

DO IT!!!!