Afrojoe
Active Member
- Joined
- June 5, 2016
- Messages
- 95
- Reaction score
- 15
- City, State
- Ringgold, GA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Ford Explorer XL 4WD
I know others have touched on the topic of tow hooks, but I figured my solution might help others and I think it looks great. (Plus this will let me test out imgur) I purchased my hooks off an Expedition and F150 at the junk yard and used hot rolled steel as spacers to drop them to whatever height I wanted. Used 1/4 inch in front and 1 inch in back that way I didn't have to cut any of my bumper. Only problem I could forsee with this is in the rear and the fact of how close my shackles come to the hook. Although I'm sure them bumping wouldn't be to bad. I used the existing hardware except for purchasing longer Class 10.9 bolts (only for the back because of the 1 inch spacing). Process was fairly easy. The front only requires removing 4 bolts for the bumper and 8 for the plastic valance (I took my valance off to cut it with tin shears). My brackets slid into the box frame fine, others might have difficulty. The rear was simple cutting the brackets in half and drilling the half inch holes.
Primed and Painted mine. Automobile Primer and Flat Black Rustoleum paint. If I had it I'd probably do bed liner paint but anything will work.
Spacers and the amount of bolt thread left.
My rear holes were behind that rivet and slightly behind the factory hole, I forgot to take a picture of the front, but basically took the valance off and placed the hook with spacer up the the frame and marked where the front holes would need to be. Mine are as forward as possible in front and as far back as possible in the back. If you spaces the front a half inch and the rear 1 and 1/4 you could move them slightly further, but I'm happy with my placement.
How close the shackle is to my hooks on a downward inclined driveway
Front hook mounted directly behind bumper mount, forgot to paint those spacers, but they're never coming off anyways.
Valance trimming, I did lose one mounting point per side, but it's pretty sturdy with the 6 remaining.
And what I'm actually proud of, how good I think it all looks done.
I feel pretty confident in these hooks, I understand rear mounting isn't ideal, but I think it'll work and I'm glad I got the 2 bolt hooks rather than 1 bolt. My spacers were cut at 5 inches in length (4 inch would have turned out better I now realize) the only reason I used them to begin with was to avoid cutting my bumpers and I feel that mild steel will provide plenty of support to keep them from twisting or pulling down and out. Total cost was about 40 dollars, 30 in hooks and 10 in steel (1/4 inch 1.5 inch wide 4 ft long). Thoughts and opinions welcomed. I'll try to answer any questions the best I can and hopefully the post will help someone else or at least give others ideas. Ps. Let me know if the links don't work or if there's a better way to share images.
Primed and Painted mine. Automobile Primer and Flat Black Rustoleum paint. If I had it I'd probably do bed liner paint but anything will work.
Spacers and the amount of bolt thread left.
My rear holes were behind that rivet and slightly behind the factory hole, I forgot to take a picture of the front, but basically took the valance off and placed the hook with spacer up the the frame and marked where the front holes would need to be. Mine are as forward as possible in front and as far back as possible in the back. If you spaces the front a half inch and the rear 1 and 1/4 you could move them slightly further, but I'm happy with my placement.
How close the shackle is to my hooks on a downward inclined driveway
Front hook mounted directly behind bumper mount, forgot to paint those spacers, but they're never coming off anyways.
Valance trimming, I did lose one mounting point per side, but it's pretty sturdy with the 6 remaining.
And what I'm actually proud of, how good I think it all looks done.
I feel pretty confident in these hooks, I understand rear mounting isn't ideal, but I think it'll work and I'm glad I got the 2 bolt hooks rather than 1 bolt. My spacers were cut at 5 inches in length (4 inch would have turned out better I now realize) the only reason I used them to begin with was to avoid cutting my bumpers and I feel that mild steel will provide plenty of support to keep them from twisting or pulling down and out. Total cost was about 40 dollars, 30 in hooks and 10 in steel (1/4 inch 1.5 inch wide 4 ft long). Thoughts and opinions welcomed. I'll try to answer any questions the best I can and hopefully the post will help someone else or at least give others ideas. Ps. Let me know if the links don't work or if there's a better way to share images.