IL Gauging interest in 1972 extreme bend tow hooks

[c3vette4spd]

I just bought a set of genuine GM 1972 extreme bend tow hooks at $600.00 for the pair. I know there is a market for these and I'm not the only one out here that wants them. That being said, I've reached out to a local foundry and they've agreed to make these for me. Now obviously, they will be copies and non GM but I'm looking at setting the price at $300.00/pair. That's half what I paid. I can't go any lower than that and make it worth my time.

As far as I know, no one is making these at this time and I'd like to be able to offer these to you guys at a more affordable price. I'm looking at having 50 poured. That's 25 pair. If interest in these is extremely high, I'll be able to get the price down even lower.

Thanks!

[4X4GMC1972]

Are they forged? If so, what alloy?

[Blazerowner]

I would be interested depending on the material.

[OhioChevy]

Depends on material used and if they are forged.

[indymachinist]

Sounds cast to me by the description.

[bronze 72 super]

I wonder if these are going to have a high nickel content. Is the raw material from the U.S. or imported material?

[c3vette4spd]

I'm working on getting the answers guys. I've got a call into the foundry. As soon as he gets back with me I'll tell you what the process is going to be and what the material is.

[pat english]

Originally Posted by indymachinist

Sounds cast to me by the description.

Agreed.I would be very interested in these if they become available.The sand casting process would be the most affordable.

[a1vintage69]

the 72 extreme bend hooks are rare and yes very desirable and spendy. I think they were a 6 month run and one year only. more people would be into the 69-72 regular hooks seems like and might possibly sell like hotcakes. great idea and please keep us posted.

[c3vette4spd]

Here's the requested info guys...

As discussed we are a Gray and Ductile cast iron foundry and we offer several grades of each. For your application with the tow hooks, I would recommend a standard 65-45-12 Ductile iron. I have included the mechanical properties below.

[gmc 2500 4x4]

in line for a pair

[wahl4m]

would these fit other years ? and 2 wheel drive ?thanks

[c3vette4spd]

Pretty sure these would work for any year 4x4. I need to look at one of my 2 wheel drives and see if the frame is drilled for the hooks. I can't remember for sure. I think this is a go guys. I'm going to put the order in next week. I'll let you all know when I have them.
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[Kennuck]

Are you sure you want to accept the potential liability for these?

[c3vette4spd]

If the foundry will guarantee me that the grade 8 hardware will fail before the hooks, where's the liability exactly?
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[gmc 2500 4x4]

wtf, mine will b for show. how many of us are going to put them to the test??? get real c3vette4spd pm me when ya figure it out. 2 thumbs up

[Kennuck]

Just pointing out a potential issue. Structural items such as these go through extensive engineering and testing for not only the design geometry but the material as well. Substituting a different material won't give the same results. Grade 8 fasteners have 150,000 psi min. tensile strength, the material you are specifying is 65,000 psi. This does not necessarily mean the bolts won't fail first because it also depends on cross section of the material and how it is loaded, but it would have to be tested under controlled conditions to be sure.
Car manufacturers sometime still don't get it right and people are injured or killed but they have billions of dollars and high priced lawyers on their side.

I think its great you want to help out the community with a scarce item such a this, I just wanted to bring it to your attention.

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with a don't worry its only going to be used for show mentality. There are still lots of people using these trucks to work with.

Good Luck

[indymachinist]

Ever seen all the 10 dollar pot metal "tow hooks" the ricer crowd uses? I'm going to say these will be fine.

[leddzepp]

If I had a show truck I would pay $300 for "factory correct" tow hooks and make sure they didn't get scratched.

If I had a work truck I would buy $20 generic hooks that I see on work trucks and in parts catalogs all the time and use the crap out of them.

[jerry moss]

sounds like a great idea to me since the price has gone crazy again. i have the extreme bend hooks on both my trucks and i've used them many times, if they get scratched i repaint them. as for frames being punched for the bolts, not all frames have the holes, my 72 super 4x4 has holes, my 69 suburban 4x4 did not, one of my blazers had them and the other did not. i'm not sure why some had holes and others did not, maybe depended on where the frame was built. sort of like some 4x4 frames had a factory steering box brace and some did not.

[Nitis]

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[gmc 2500 4x4]

Kennuck YOU ARE CORRECT

[The Rocknrod]

Since you will be buying these and using them at your own risk, the liability will be with you the buyer. Do you ask what liability AMD has on their products? and their a large company. Some guy is trying to help the community out and you (some internet lawyer) try and stop him in his tracks. Thanks.
Use em at your own risk. If you buy them and beat your wife with them over the head is he liable?

[Joesjunk]

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[57taskforce]

I'd possibly be interested as well.