Front tow hook recommendation
- Thread starter Creakydoor
- Start date
The top of the pad is maybe 1/8” higher than the plate. So I have some options like you are describing.
Thanks for the pictures. If I went this route, I’d probably want to remove my bumper pads. Which is also an option.
That's a lot of leverage extending past the nearest bolt. Seems like a hook is preferable.
I don’t know about that, and I won’t pretend to have any failure analysis calculations, but it would take a pretty outrageous 90 degree side pull to even begin to stress a 1.25” chunk of billet aluminum. I have the option of tapping the front bumper and adding a third bolt closer to the shackle but you’ll notice that, if I somehow managed to break that piece of billet aluminum, I actually have a secondary mounting option for a shackle on the front bumper (normally used for the tow bar).
The other issue I had with a hook was that in a side pull situation, the recovery strap wouldn’t clear the fog lights. I’m pretty comfortable with this MetalCloak solution and I really prefer connections with shackles instead of hooks, especially if I was ever in a situation where the pull would need to come from an elevated location. Think about getting stuck in some sort of hole and having to use a snatch block from an anchor point higher than your Jeep, where the winch line comes back down to essentially lift your front end upwards; would you prefer an open hook (pulling up on the tip of the hook) or a closed shackle? Or look at this video, where the truck that’s stuck is pointed down and the recovery strap is really pulling up on the tow hooks:
Tow hooks are for straight line pulls, not side pulls. Great for a quick recovery with a strap. Not so great for winch work.
Mounts/tabs for 3/4" bow shackles or soft shackles allow pulls from multiple directions and angles.
I have both shackle tabs and hooks on my Rockhard 4x4 front bumper:
Mounts/tabs for 3/4" bow shackles or soft shackles allow pulls from multiple directions and angles.
I have both shackle tabs and hooks on my Rockhard 4x4 front bumper:
WDE
TJ Enthusiast
The type of hooks Jerry posted work fine with aftermarket lights installed in the stock position.
WDE
TJ Enthusiast
PO had a front end wreck somewhere along the way. I never bothered to replace the fairlead. I probably will when I replace the cable.
I got the hooks @Jerry Bransford mentioned. Other options would have worked, but this was the fastest, least amount of work, and cost effective solution.
I re-used my factory mount bolts. They looked long enough to be fully engaged in the nut on the bottom (see picture), so I think I'm all good.
Overall, I think it looks fine.
I re-used my factory mount bolts. They looked long enough to be fully engaged in the nut on the bottom (see picture), so I think I'm all good.
Overall, I think it looks fine.
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Why the washers under the hooks?
Do they sell just the springy piece that holds the chain/strap from coming off?
Do they sell just the springy piece that holds the chain/strap from coming off?
You could just use the existing hooks and drill a new hole for the light tabs about 1/2" further out.
Nice! those look really clean!
To clear the bumper guards, because they sit just a little higher than the bumper.
Yes, @fuse is right. I could have probably squished the hooks on the top of the pads. But with the washers I didn’t have to.
Stop making sense.
True, I could have moved them out. Probably would have had to do a few inches though so that the hooks had enough gap from the fog lights. However, the wiring is pretty short since I did the body lift. Moving it too much might have meant having to rewire them. So I took an easier route. I may revisit it in the future if I’m not happy with it. Only $20 total for what I did.
Looks great! Did the hooks have the little safety clip? If it did I'd throw them on. No good reason I just find them useful. The one weakness of the factory hooks is they don't have that little tab to keep your rope in place. If there's a reason not to have them I understand, I'm no expert.
They did come with the safety clip. I may opt to put them on. Stay tuned.
Based on some feedback, I tried 2 things.
I tried putting the hooks on without the washers. It wouldn’t fit. The bumper pad wouldn’t compress enough to allow the hook to make a solid connection to the winch plate. I could possibly adjust the pads down a bit, bit that would require taking off the bumper and enlarging the holes. Possible if I get some time.
I also took a look at the retaining clips. They seemed ok, but a little flimsy. Not sure how they would hold up. Also, since I didn’t take the washers out, that would further shorten that bolt connection. All solvable, but for today, I’ll stop.
I tried putting the hooks on without the washers. It wouldn’t fit. The bumper pad wouldn’t compress enough to allow the hook to make a solid connection to the winch plate. I could possibly adjust the pads down a bit, bit that would require taking off the bumper and enlarging the holes. Possible if I get some time.
I also took a look at the retaining clips. They seemed ok, but a little flimsy. Not sure how they would hold up. Also, since I didn’t take the washers out, that would further shorten that bolt connection. All solvable, but for today, I’ll stop.
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