installing tow hooks...
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 51
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installing tow hooks...
i really need some tow hooks on my 91 f150. im not really sure where to mount them. i see where they could be mounted, but im not sure if this is a area that is strong enough.? i have a standard bumper, so not much in the way. any help? thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: South Central Boise
Mount your hooks to your frame if you can. I have seen many a bumber torn right off. It's kinda funny as long as it isn't yours. My bumbers cost about 20 bucks. But I would rather spend the money elsewhere. Have you thought about a D-ring? I think I am going with a combo hooks and rings. Just cause ya never know.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
ahhh no! not tow hooks. bad bad...stay away, i have seen waaaaay too many straighten out enough to cause the chain/strap to slide right off the open end. D-rings are pretty sweet but they can limit it your choices. the best way to go of all is to get a shackle mount....you actually unscrew a pin and it comes apart so you can put it through a strap and then re-install it back on the truck.
this is what a shackle looks like and the mount http://rockstomper.com/catalog/recovery/shackles.htm
this is what i did and it all cost me about $30 for the materials!
in answer to your question your best bet is gonna be to either bolt something to your frame that you make or weld to your existing bumper! trust me, i had a 93 f150 and i know what it's like.
good luck to ya
-cutts-
this is what a shackle looks like and the mount http://rockstomper.com/catalog/recovery/shackles.htm
this is what i did and it all cost me about $30 for the materials!
in answer to your question your best bet is gonna be to either bolt something to your frame that you make or weld to your existing bumper! trust me, i had a 93 f150 and i know what it's like.
good luck to ya
-cutts-
Last edited by fishmanndotcom; Sep 25, 2004 at 02:49 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
As Cutts said mount your hooks or shackles to something that's bolted to the frame. Mounting them to the frame itself is a good way to twist or bend your frame = BAD! You just want to make sure that if something gives it'll be a piece you can replace rathe than a frame rail. Of course this also has a lot to do with how much you're pulling but better safe than sorry.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
best I idea I have seen is to mount a reciever hitch in the front, and back then you can pull on either end, I have seen it done both ways but using a shackle with a 3/4 pin allows you to use any hitch without the ball, or you can buy a hook that will slide into the reciever, and use on either end this also allows the pulling force to be equalized on both frame rails instead of just pulling one side
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
I forgot about those but they are a good idea and simple to do PLUS you don't have to worry about some jackass coming along and stealing your shackles. These are on ebay for $50 or if you have the materials and a few tools you can build them yourself easy enough.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
No, it's a wheel chock . . . I just didn't get it lined up right. They come with a convenient handle on the back and can be found left in alleys downtown. Only problem is they only seem to be good for one use.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by highboy1975
u've seen hooks straighten out? thats pretty crazy. if i would have had that experience i wouldnt have recomended hooks either, thats wild though
only 2 problems i have found with pulling with a hitch is they can be detrimental when it comes to every lil inch for departure angle and also, a lot of idiots (no offense to those who have done this and that includes me) chain around the ball of their receiver hitch! BAD BAD BAD! those things are not rated for a shock load and can pretty easily shear off and become a missile into someones forehead. always always ALWAYS wrap around a few times around the bar that goes b/t the frame rails.
people....these forces are greater than you think! literally, if someone is snatching another truck and something breaks whatever comes loose can be faster than a bullet...not to mention if it is a winch hook or clevis they weigh in 100's of times heavier than a bullet. this is NOT something you wanna toy with
-cutts-
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
fishy, I agree with you about hooks, or atleast the ones you buy from any auto parts store, for installing on your truck those things are for appearance purposes only, expecially chrome ones (once again Ivan sorry but I am not a real big fan of chrome either expecially on tow hooks or other high stress components) if you have to run hooks go to a farm supply store, and buy them for that type of application. IN the racing I do they require tow HOOKs and clevises aren't allowed so had to quit using mine, and put on hooks but they have the safety clips on them and are much stronger than what is bought at autozone.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by monsterbaby
if you have to run hooks go to a farm supply store, and buy them for that type of application.
-cutts-
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
I get my shackles at the logging supply store. They have beefier than you need, trust me. I agree that the best setup is the front and rear hitch point with a central shackle as shown in the pic, but I also have hooks mounted. I don't know what they sell at autozone, but there is no way the ones I have will bend. My frame would tear in half first.