tow hooks

[Adam]

I have seen the tow hooks that you can buy from magazines, and honestly I wasn't impressed. I have heard some of you talk about putting the GM hooks on your Explorers, but I have a question. Has anyone thought about putting on the tow hooks that are on the 2001 Sport and Sport Trac? They look good, but I'm not sure if they will fit my 95 frame. Any thoughts?

Thanks
adam

 

[Ray Lobato]

Adam,
You would have to get a steel block that measures 3.5" in order to move the hooks down under the bumper and through the opening in the air dam. I think that the only thing wrong with the Sport and SportTrac towhooks is you will have to use a clevis ring or D-ring to attache a strap to it, where as the GM tow hooks, which I might add is alot cheaper($20.00) and is easier to use. Your 95 is just like my 97. Here are some pictures of how I had my GM tow hooks put on.
The bolts for the towhooks are 8" long and grade 8 bolts and nuts. They go all the way through the frame. Some people have used square steel that is hollow and it seens to work, but I used a solid steel piece with the holes drilled to match the tow hook. Go to a machine shop, they will sell you some scrap. use the metal bracket that comes with the tow hooks as a template and make sure that it is at least 3.5"thick. If you do a search for GM tow hooks, you can get the part number from on of the threads. I would bet that you are not going to pay $20.00 for the Ford tow hooks. If you still wanted to use the Sport Trac tow hooks, it would be the same thing basicly, just substitute one tow hook for the other.

This is the steel block. I actually made it 3", but had to put another plate to get it to just go under the bumper. Needs to be at least 3.5", or you wount be able to get the strap end around the hook

There is just enough room between the tow hook and the bumper to get the strap around the hook.

 

[jgriffin]

Hey Ray, When you did your body lift did you just make the block smaller or did you do something different?

 

[Ray Lobato]

jgriffin,
I used different blocks, actually they are three 1/2" steel plates and attached them right under my grill guard/winch mount. I only need 1.5" now.

 

[Adam]

ray,
just wanted to say thanks for your help!