Bus tow hooks-Settle it! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

robby · 10-31-2003, 11:59 PM

It has come up again on the parts board about the Bluebird bus tow hooks. They do look like 69-72 tow hooks but will they work or are they the same? I have heard here before that they are not the same. Does anyone know?

**Canadian694x4** · 11-01-2003, 12:00 AM

if this is true I could get my hands on some around here...there pretty common on buses round here...

sakohntr · 11-01-2003, 01:49 AM

they are not. they bolt on differently. they are the same size and curl roughly.

**Canadian694x4** · 11-01-2003, 01:51 AM

is it hard to modify them to fit do you think? I would like to have functioning "Hooks" that I guess look close enough to stock and not stick out like a sore thumb kinda thing...

lux hauler · 11-01-2003, 01:53 AM

You can bet that IF they were the same, the people that are, or will be, trying to sell originals are going to swear they're not the same.

nu2-72 · 11-01-2003, 10:06 AM

sakohntr is correct. But for those that don't believe him, crawl under a bus. Moving or still is your choice. LOL

teeitup · 11-01-2003, 10:21 AM

Sakohntr and NU2-72 are CORRECT!!! NOT the same.

robby · 11-01-2003, 11:35 AM

How about Canadian's question. Could you make them work? Anybody ever try it? If I remember the last time I looked they appear to bolt onto the flat surface of the bus frame one way only whereas the correct ones could bolt on from either side. What do you think?

BLAZERMAN · 11-01-2003, 12:43 PM

The bus hooks are made to bolt to a flat surface, the problem with mounting them to a truck of our style is there is very little room between the bumper and the leaf spring perch to mount flat against the frame. About the only way to mount a descent size hook is to mount it on the frame side like the original hooks, for someone who cant find originals or does not want to pay the price the best bet would be to use 73-87 style hooks. They can be found cheap at about any yard, there are about 3 different styles of these hooks also but all will work with some drilling and I believe there was a hook on the mid to late 80s that will bolt right up.

BLAZERMAN · 11-01-2003, 12:51 PM

Heres a pic of the mid 70s style that I used on my 69 that I sold to board member Bernie [ hope he doesnt mind the pic ]

BLAZERMAN · 11-01-2003, 12:53 PM

oops

**Canadian694x4** · 11-01-2003, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the info Blazerman...can you give me a guess how much can I expect to pay for a 73-87 style hook if I end up finding one compared to $200-$300 for originals?

Rod · 11-01-2003, 01:09 PM

The big one is the typical bus tow hook.

*Gee_Emm* · 11-01-2003, 02:10 PM

Throw it in the dryer, it might shrink.

Hooter · 11-01-2003, 05:25 PM

those are some pretty beefy tires you got on that frame there

**Canadian694x4** · 11-01-2003, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod
The big one is the typical bus tow hook.

Rod What is the one on the right from?

robby · 11-01-2003, 09:04 PM

how about this twist. Are the bolt centers the same on the bus hooks? If so, with some grinding on the mounting surface will it bolt up? By the way,what is the small hook in the picture? Thanks for the info BLazerman, are the trees turning in Missouri yet?

casey · 11-01-2003, 10:26 PM

thanks blazer man I'm heading to the bone yard tomorrow lookin for hooks!!!!!

**Canadian694x4** · 11-01-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by casey
thanks blazer man I'm heading to the bone yard tomorrow lookin for hooks!!!!!

Hey, hey me first! LOL...

nu2-72 · 11-02-2003, 03:20 AM

The trees in Mo. turned two weeks ago at least. They are all in my yard now.

*Phillip Johnson* · 11-02-2003, 03:45 AM

Rod, The buss hooks on the bus I saw were not that big. Next chance, I will taks a digital with a tape measure and see for myself. then Im gonna search the GM parts book and see where they came from since these bus's have GM chassis.. We may find that NEW tow hooks could be worth $15 each. Now, wouldnt that be a real pisser! Has anyone ever thought to see if they were still available?

junkyardjohn · 11-02-2003, 10:49 AM

I SURE DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE HYPE & HOOPLA OVER $200 , $300 OR MORE TOW HOOKS. (SORRY JERRY) BUT AFTER PAYING THAT MUCH FOR A SET, ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO HOOK A CHAIN OR STRAP ON THEM & PULL ON EM WITH ANOTHER TRUCK?? I THINK I'D HAVE TO CARRY A GUN FOR FEAR OF BEING TOWHOOK JACKED.

I GUESS IF I HAD A 99 POINT SHOWTRUCK, & NEEDED FACTORY TOWHOOKS FOR THAT LAST POINT, I'D SPRING FOR THE HIGH DOLLAR FACTORY MODELS, BUT NONE OF MY TRUCKS ARE WORTHY. JOHN

Blue_71 · 11-02-2003, 11:20 AM

thats excactly why i dont want a set of originals junkyardjohn, i'm not paying $200 for something to hook a chain too... when i get tow hooks they'll be wal mart ones or 88-98 ones

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-02-2003, 11:43 AM

That's unbelieveable!!! That much for something to hook a chain on!!!????? Why so much money for them??? Also do they hook on to the bottom of the frame rail?

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-02-2003, 11:43 AM

That's unbelieveable!!! That much for something to hook a chain on!!!????? Why so much money for them??? Also do they hook on to the bottom of the frame rail?

10-31-2003, 11:59 PM	#1
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	Bus tow hooks-Settle it! It has come up again on the parts board about the Bluebird bus tow hooks. They do look like 69-72 tow hooks but will they work or are they the same? I have heard here before that they are not the same. Does anyone know? __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

11-01-2003, 12:00 AM	#2
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,307	if this is true I could get my hands on some around here...there pretty common on buses round here... __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

11-01-2003, 01:49 AM	#3
sakohntr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Floodwood Minnesota Posts: 1,057	they are not they are not. they bolt on differently. they are the same size and curl roughly. __________________ 1967 K30 Napco 292/SM420 original paint 30k miles 1968 K60 Napco 396/5spd. dbl frame 52" michelins 1969 K10 SWB GMC 454/4spd 6" 35's posi,hooks 1972 C30 longhorn,BB/AT,A/C,Tilt,Toolbox,lokr 1987 K20 Chevrolet Suburban. 6" lift. 5.7L/TH400 1979 K60 GMC Coleman 4x4, 427/Allison.

11-01-2003, 01:51 AM	#4
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,307	is it hard to modify them to fit do you think? I would like to have functioning "Hooks" that I guess look close enough to stock and not stick out like a sore thumb kinda thing... __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

11-01-2003, 01:53 AM	#5
lux hauler Psycho-billy Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: about 40 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,591	You can bet that IF they were the same, the people that are, or will be, trying to sell originals are going to swear they're not the same. __________________ '72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207/213, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian).

11-01-2003, 10:06 AM	#6
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	sakohntr is correct. But for those that don't believe him, crawl under a bus. Moving or still is your choice. LOL __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

11-01-2003, 10:21 AM	#7
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Sakohntr and NU2-72 are CORRECT!!! NOT the same. __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

11-01-2003, 11:35 AM	#8
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	How about Canadian's question. Could you make them work? Anybody ever try it? If I remember the last time I looked they appear to bolt onto the flat surface of the bus frame one way only whereas the correct ones could bolt on from either side. What do you think? __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

11-01-2003, 12:43 PM	#9
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	The bus hooks are made to bolt to a flat surface, the problem with mounting them to a truck of our style is there is very little room between the bumper and the leaf spring perch to mount flat against the frame. About the only way to mount a descent size hook is to mount it on the frame side like the original hooks, for someone who cant find originals or does not want to pay the price the best bet would be to use 73-87 style hooks. They can be found cheap at about any yard, there are about 3 different styles of these hooks also but all will work with some drilling and I believe there was a hook on the mid to late 80s that will bolt right up. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

11-01-2003, 12:51 PM	#10
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Heres a pic of the mid 70s style that I used on my 69 that I sold to board member Bernie [ hope he doesnt mind the pic ] __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

11-01-2003, 12:53 PM	#11
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	oops Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

11-01-2003, 01:06 PM	#12
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,307	Thanks for the info Blazerman...can you give me a guess how much can I expect to pay for a 73-87 style hook if I end up finding one compared to $200-$300 for originals? __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

11-01-2003, 01:09 PM	#13
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	The big one is the typical bus tow hook. Attached Images __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

11-01-2003, 02:10 PM	#14
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Throw it in the dryer, it might shrink.

11-01-2003, 05:25 PM	#15
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	those are some pretty beefy tires you got on that frame there __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life



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11-01-2003, 09:04 PM	#17
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	how about this twist. Are the bolt centers the same on the bus hooks? If so, with some grinding on the mounting surface will it bolt up? By the way,what is the small hook in the picture? Thanks for the info BLazerman, are the trees turning in Missouri yet? __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

11-01-2003, 10:26 PM	#18
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	thanks blazer man I'm heading to the bone yard tomorrow lookin for hooks!!!!!

11-02-2003, 03:20 AM	#20
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	The trees in Mo. turned two weeks ago at least. They are all in my yard now. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

11-02-2003, 03:45 AM	#21
Phillip Johnson Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,579	Rod, The buss hooks on the bus I saw were not that big. Next chance, I will taks a digital with a tape measure and see for myself. then Im gonna search the GM parts book and see where they came from since these bus's have GM chassis.. We may find that NEW tow hooks could be worth $15 each. Now, wouldnt that be a real pisser! Has anyone ever thought to see if they were still available?

11-02-2003, 10:49 AM	#22
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I SURE DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE HYPE & HOOPLA OVER $200 , $300 OR MORE TOW HOOKS. (SORRY JERRY) BUT AFTER PAYING THAT MUCH FOR A SET, ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO HOOK A CHAIN OR STRAP ON THEM & PULL ON EM WITH ANOTHER TRUCK?? I THINK I'D HAVE TO CARRY A GUN FOR FEAR OF BEING TOWHOOK JACKED. I GUESS IF I HAD A 99 POINT SHOWTRUCK, & NEEDED FACTORY TOWHOOKS FOR THAT LAST POINT, I'D SPRING FOR THE HIGH DOLLAR FACTORY MODELS, BUT NONE OF MY TRUCKS ARE WORTHY. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST Last edited by junkyardjohn; 11-02-2003 at 12:21 PM.

11-02-2003, 11:43 AM	#24
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	That's unbelieveable!!! That much for something to hook a chain on!!!????? Why so much money for them??? Also do they hook on to the bottom of the frame rail? __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

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