Greetings all,

I just picked up a nice pair of tow hooks at Fleet Farm for $10 ea.. They even came with grade 5 bolts instead of grade 8 and have a 10,000 lbs. capacity.

I'm mounting them on the bottom flange of the frame in the front of the truck. However, the frame seems a little thin to me. It's not rusted out or anything, it just looks kinda whimpy.

Should I put a thicker steel plate on there to stiffen it up a bit?

I'm thinking about a 1/2" thick by 8" long flat piece of steel to put on the top of the flange, and run the bolts up through it.

Is that necessary or is the frame strong enough?

Thanks in advance!

Kevin K.

 

Your frame will be plenty strong, no need for a plate

 

unless you made a typo, you seem to be happy with the grade 5 bolts over grade 8.

8 is way stronger.

 

>unless you made a typo, you seem to be happy with the grade
>5 bolts over grade 8.
>
>8 is way stronger.

True. However, there is a post a little further down on this board where I asked about what kind of tow hooks to get. A few people said to replace the 8s with 5s since the 8s were more brittle. The kit I got came with 5s and a 10,000 lb. rating. If the bolts fail, I guess I'll have to get 8s (and probably a new rear window for the pulling vehicle).

Kevin K.

 

I put my tow hooks on a cuople of weeks ago, and didn't put any plats in but I havent pulled anything with them yet, so I guess I'll find out when I use them.

 

you dont need any plates, mine are right to the frame and i have been pulled and pulled many out and they are still standing strong.

 

The difference between a grade 5 and a grade 8 bolt in a tow hook application, are that a grade 5 bolt has a much stronger SHEER strength then a grade 8.

At least that is what I was told when i mounted my tow hooks.

 

Grade 5 bolts do have a higher shear rating than grade 8. Grade 8's have a much higher tensile rating along the main axis of the bolt and are more resistant to elongation and bolt stretch, but at the same time they are more brittle. For out application (tow hooks) you want a grade bolt that is tough. Not like FORD tough, but refering to the toughness of the metal and it's ability to absorb forces and shock loading. Grade 5 will also stretch out and you will SEE the bolt giving way before it breaks, allowing to to back off the winch if necessary, 8's will just explode, and yes, I have seen both cases out on the trail, which is why everything I mount is Grade 5, or metric 8.8.

 

i put mine on those lil hangy metal things that come off the crinkly part of the frame. i whnt wheeling the next day, truck got caught in some deep ruts. had 4" of water in driver side on cab i hooked a come a long to the hook and i nearly ripped it off. i got my truck out but the thing the hook went on to is totally screwd up.
i ws thinking that that thing hanging down might have been for a plow undercarage to bolt to. but i figured it woulda been stronger

red topper

 

I think your talking about your front sway bar assembly.
You should never hook up to that I did and I regret it.

 

just bolt them straight up to the frame, the only thing that you would have to worry about breaking is the bolts for the tow hooks, unless you or the person you are trying to pull out is that stuck to where you rip your frame apart.

 

>i put mine on those lil hangy metal things that come off the
>crinkly part of the frame.>
>red topper

God...stop...you guys are killing me <wipes tears from eyes>.

 

I've designed an attachment for the front of of our 92-96 F-150's. Anyone who's interested email me and i can get you plans.

Ryan50hrl(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Ryan

 

I've posted a basic plan in my gallery

Ryan

 

they use grade 5 to save a few pennies on each hook they sell.

Grade 8 is supior in ever aspect than a grade 5 or grade 2.

Spend some times reading the SAE Specs and you will find this out.

http://www.ggmfg.com/catalog/63.htm