front tow hook

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04/09/2007, 07:52 PM
etlsport

front tow hook

i was lookin for skid plates in a scrap yard (apparently every trooper from '92 on is still on the road) and noticed the tow hooks off the back of older troopers match the ones on the front of our VXs so i decided to add a second hook in the front of my VX, also running some errands i came across a spray paint that gives the 'hammered' look, pretty sweet, looks nice, heres some pics

still having trouble getting the bolts all the way in.. tried running a tap through and the tap broke off :mad: so ill be trying to remove that tomorrow and getting a new tap :rolleyes: just cant be easy i know ive got the right size bolt, they came off the stock hook and the ones from the trooper are holding on the stock hook now

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../hooks_002.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../hooks_001.jpg
04/09/2007, 09:20 PM
Baxman

Nice work. Sure looks clean and unscraped under there!
04/10/2007, 05:35 AM
Ldub

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baxman

Sure looks clean and unscraped under there!

Come to Moab...we can fix that ! :p
04/06/2009, 08:44 PM
CrnCnn

Hey etl,

Do you trust these for a recovery situation? The junkyard here had some troopers and some rodeos. I would like to do this if its strong enough.
04/06/2009, 08:50 PM
JoFotoz

It'll be strong enough...

...but Dub is right.

Looks like a rock snag just waiting to happen.

jo
04/06/2009, 10:28 PM
Sprey

Hmm the 4x4 clubs over here are real specific, basicaly i have to have rated tow hooks, so off come the stock vx one and gonna make up a bracket on the rear or get a tow hitch one,
most likely go for the towhitch hook so i can have either a tow bar or a hook.
04/07/2009, 01:05 AM
etlsport

yea ive used em many times to pull and be pulled

lol jo.. its the stock hook.. i just painted it and added a second to the other side

clint, i also saw some on a trooper that were the same size/style, but had a spring loaded clip to prevent the strap from slipping off
04/07/2009, 04:54 AM
crotchrocket

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprey

Hmm the 4x4 clubs over here are real specific, basicaly i have to have rated tow hooks, so off come the stock vx one and gonna make up a bracket on the rear or get a tow hitch one,
most likely go for the towhitch hook so i can have either a tow bar or a hook.

Theres a member on here with a front reciever hidden behind the bumper, cant remember the name but its white with 285 tyres on stock rims and roof lights etc
04/07/2009, 06:18 AM
CrnCnn

Quote:

Originally Posted by etlsport

yea ive used em many times to pull and be pulled

lol jo.. its the stock hook.. i just painted it and added a second to the other side

clint, i also saw some on a trooper that were the same size/style, but had a spring loaded clip to prevent the strap from slipping off

cool, thanks eric. I will probly head to the salvage yard this weekend.
04/08/2009, 12:07 AM
Sprey

Quote:

Originally Posted by crotchrocket

Theres a member on here with a front reciever hidden behind the bumper, cant remember the name but its white with 285 tyres on stock rims and roof lights etc

Yea the one with the reciever and you can see it come out where the numberplate is.

Hmm not really too keen on cutting any holes
Already had one 4x4 shop say yea we can cut the plastic here for a tow hook
me wtf hell no
04/08/2009, 06:43 AM
VehiGAZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by etlsport

i came across a spray paint that gives the 'hammered' look, pretty sweet, looks nice,

Ah, yes - the Rustoleum stuff. It really looks great! I've used it on some radiator grills in my house, driveway railing poles, etc. It really works beautifully!
04/23/2009, 01:49 AM
AK Falco

Etlsport, did you use any type of washers or spacers on your second hook? i got one off a 90 something rodeo,but it doesn't look like yours? it looks more "hidden"
04/23/2009, 05:28 AM
etlsport

nope, just used the bolts pulled from the donor vehicle (back of an old trooper) and it bolted right up
04/23/2009, 05:02 PM
kodiak

Crap! Last week I found a totaled 99 TOD Trooper that had everything but the engine. I could have pulled the hook for you.:( It was so tempting, it still had the tranny and the TOD transfer case. It would be nice to have a spare tranny just in case.:rolleyes:
04/24/2009, 02:37 AM
AK Falco

Went to pull a part. penty of hooks for all! if any one wants i can pull and ship. look at my install, safe from snags but might hurt cladding.? http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/P4231375.JPG http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/P4231374.JPG
great idea Etlsport!
04/24/2009, 03:57 AM
crotchrocket

Yep think your right, a tow rope would foul the bumper. I just put some shakles on the tie down eyes at the front. Much safer than a hook in my opinion. Means you can have a bridle attached at all times when off roading, making easy recovery

shackles
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...DSC01366-1.jpg

Bridle attached
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...s/100_5014.jpg

for times like these :D
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...s/100_5072.jpg
04/24/2009, 05:02 AM
Sprey

hey crotch out of interest could you get some pics of how you mounted the shackles.

thanks
04/24/2009, 06:37 AM
crotchrocket

Will do, there are two tie down eyes on the front end as standard. Normally these wont do for off roading and if your in a 4x4 club they wont recover you with them......However our's are about 4-6mm plate thats welded to the chassis and MORE than capable than taking the pull. Put it this way, last time out in the mud i had a discovery pulling me out a hole with his winch, he had another disco and a nissan patroll tied up to his 4x4 as anchors and all 3 were being pulled along the ground (before using a rather large tree as an anchor :D ) So it deffo takes the weight !!

this is a bit cleaner

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...100_4980-2.jpg
04/24/2009, 10:10 AM
CrnCnn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprey

could you get some pics of how you mounted the shackles.

thanks

x2 some close ups would be great.