Tow Hooks

[Jester966]

Where is the cheapest source (online or otherwise) for tow hooks for my 2004 explorer?
I'm in Ontario.

Thanks

 

[Black92LX]

junkyard. mine were like $10

 

[easy2no]

Found mine on E-bay, $12 + shippng...

 

[Jester966]

Thanks
Do they have to be specifically for a Ford Explorer, or are there others that would fit?

 

[easy2no]

Look for ones for an F-150... Usually be from owners who have replaced their hooks with a grill guard... Hooks had to be removed to install grill guard... Hooks from a F-250 or larger wll not work... If possible and to make the job easier, try and get the bolts and receiving nuts that go with the hooks... If you don't get them be sure and use grade 8's when installing... You may also want to try a local Truck Accessory shop... They may have some take offs...

 

[jrford]

The Expy/Nav are the same thing too, i got mine, F150 hooks, for $25 on fleabay plus shipping.

 

[Curtis]

Take a look at my write up...
You want them from 97-03 F-150
You can get the bolts at a hardware store - at least grade 5, grade 8 is better
I used grade 5 because Lowes was all out of grade 8's. Still plenty strong.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220875

 

[focimus]

One more for eBay...

Hi all, first time posting here but felt I should chime in. I actually just put mine on today. $18 on eBay from an '04 F-150. Grade 8 bolts and hardware $10 from Home Depot. I went the extra step and took the bumper off; just felt more comfortable doing it that way.

So, thanks all for the detailed installation steps/suggestions!

 

[Jester966]

Well I visited 4 junk yards and called 3 others, and nothing.

I did get one lead though - one guy said he is getting 2 '99 F150's next week though, so he said to call back then to find out if they have hooks or not.

There are a few on E-Bay as well, but with shipping to Canada... I'll just wait for now.

Curtis that's a geat write up. Would there be any reason to use washers under the bolt head?

 

[Curtis]

Well I visited 4 junk yards and called 3 others, and nothing.

I did get one lead though - one guy said he is getting 2 '99 F150's next week though, so he said to call back then to find out if they have hooks or not.

There are a few on E-Bay as well, but with shipping to Canada... I'll just wait for now.

Curtis that's a geat write up. Would there be any reason to use washers under the bolt head?

Yeah I imagine shipping to Canada would make it not worth it. I ship a lot of parts to my Dad (Canada is home for me) but sometimes its just not worth it. Of couse I find this out after I package stuff up and get to the post office

I dont see harm in using washers.. as long as they fit into the small indentation you see here

 

[Shotgun]

Will the hooks from a 2006 F150 also work? They look a little different from the 97-03 hooks, as the loop itself appears to be thinner and longer, but the mounting holes appear to be in the same place.

 

[02explorerxlt4x4]

well you could try www.partstrain.com or order a catlog from lmc truck from lmctruck.com the catlog is free but partstrain is proabably cheaper not sure if they deliver in canda but its worth a shot to take a look at good luck

 

[High_Order1]

Mine came from a newer Expedition. I was *shocked* to see they aren't even truly bolted in - it used, uh, what do you call those little things with the points you jam in wood to make a threaded surface? The expedition used a sheet metal variant of that.

I will say it was a HUGE PITA initially to assemble. I wound up using a pair of bent nose forceps to load the washer and nut onto the bolt shaft inside the frame rail box. There is an extra nut somewhere in there as part of my learning curve.. lol

 

[bluemarble]

hooks

try harbor freight they have them. brand new about $10.00 each.:exp:

 

[bergerwm01]

try harbor freight they have them. brand new about $10.00 each.:exp:

Maybe if you want grade 1 metal haha