Tow hook recommendations for stock TJ

[MountaineerTom]

I have the Curt tow hooks with the clip on my front bumper. I’ll have to look closer at them because I don’t remember them being rounded on the bottom. I’ve had them on there a little over 3 years.

I looked at them this morning (on the Jeep). Sure enough, looks a little rounded, I can see a slight gap on each side.

 

[B1Toad]

How many noticed before I pointed it out?

I may not have noticed looking at the package but I would have seen it as soon as I tried to bolt them to a flat surface. But you're right I wonder how many would actually just bolt them on and be happy with it?

I have a story about an Eaton electrical product that has been manufactured for over 10 years in Mexico that has a flaw which complicates installation to a large degree, but to this day complaints have gone un-heeded and it is still manufactured to those specs and we still keep buying them because there's no other legal alternative when using the Eaton service equipment.

 

[JMT]

My 99 has no rear hooks. What did it have from the factory?

No rear hooks. The Rubicon came with a rear hook.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I guess it was an option? This is on the build sheet of my ‘06 Unlimited.

XEWS 2 Front & 1 Rear Tow Hooks

 

[B1Toad]

I wanted an OEM rear hook but I'd need to lose my receiver hitch.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Interesting. Did only some years come with them?

Maybe only "Trail Rated" ones? I think that started in like 2003 or 2004 maybe. Could be wrong on the year, but I think I remember reading that part of the "Trail Rated" requirement was recovery points front and rear.

 

[mrblaine]

I have a story about an Eaton electrical product that has been manufactured for over 10 years in Mexico that has a flaw which complicates installation to a large degree, but to this day complaints have gone un-heeded and it is still manufactured to those specs and we still keep buying them because there's no other legal alternative when using the Eaton service equipment.

I've mentioned this but look at the reviews for the Dorman 924-271 body mount. Dorman copied the mistake in the Mopar parts guide at the dealer which mixes the rear mushroom stem from a rear mount with the top and bottom isolators from a side mount. They do not fit or work together in any conceivable manner yet there are a lot of stellar reviews. When I looked a couple of years ago, there were no bad reviews at all, now they are starting to show up.

We have idiots making stuff and then idiots buying stuff and installing it completely wrong and then screwing everyone else by saying how good it is. https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-271-Wrangler-Body-Mount/dp/B00Z7O7RVY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[bmcgc]

I just checked my 99 Sahara build sheet. 2 Front & 1 Rear Tow Hooks

I had a 1" tow hitch, so I'm guessing the PO removed the hook when he installed the hitch.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Interesting. Did only some years come with them?

Good question, someone here likely knows.

 

[mrblaine]

Good question, someone here likely knows.

They were an option at least back to 99.

 

[RocknLJ]

How many noticed before I pointed it out?

I sure as heck didn’t…
Many thanks!

 

[Jayramble]

There are OEM Tow Eyelets and OEM rear Two Hook - from my understanding the tow eyelets which are sometimes installed on the front and/or rear are designed as tie down points for the TJ onto a recovery truck or transporter but have found they bend if used for recovery.

Along with many TJ's owners here in Dubai, I have the OEM rear tow hook (question mark shape) which has been great for sane dune recovery (rains typically once or twice a year so we don't get the suction resistance from mud) and have on occasion had to tow other 4x4s out of the desert with my TJ.

I notice comments that the OEM tow hooks are not rated as strong as after market hooks, so am curious what OEM is rated for?

 

[B1Toad]

I notice comments that the OEM tow hooks are not rated as strong as after market hooks, so am curious what OEM is rated for?

FWIW the OEM front hooks are marked 7,000 lbs. each.
Now for the Chinese after market hooks, they all seem to claim 10,000 lbs., but how much is that rating really worth? I mean, you have the Warn after market hook, a well respected and more expensive brand, rating theirs at 8,000 lbs. then you have Chinese copies selling for 1/3 of the price claiming 10,000 lbs.?

 

[mrblaine]

FWIW the OEM front hooks are marked 7,000 lbs. each.
Now for the Chinese after market hooks, they all seem to claim 10,000 lbs., but how much is that rating really worth? I mean, you have the Warn after market hook, a well respected and more expensive brand, rating theirs at 8,000 lbs. then you have Chinese copies selling for 1/3 of the price claiming 10,000 lbs.?

Whatever Warn rates theirs at, I promise the actual breaking strength is much higher. They have way too many lawyers who won't let them rate something near actual.

 

[RED97SE]

I had the OE rear tow hook that has been PIF'd around here onto a few jeeps. From @NashvilleTJ to me until I swapped to a Barnes low profile bumper and from me on to @RED97SE and who know from there. Would be interesting to track it.. Like a tagged Grizzly. Or a Great White. um... sorry.. got a little carried away.

Switched to frame mounted like many others. It was a HF purchase and the bottom didn't need any attention.
View attachment 499453

View attachment 499454

It’s mounted in a safe place under the rear left side of my jeep.

 

[mrblaine]

We'll know if they have fixed it shortly.

Last set is good to go. Buyers from Amazon.