mikegmang

Finally got time to do this to my truck. the factory tow hooks look so good that I had to get my friend to weld me a custom bracket. already sold 3 of them to friends.
this is very thick metal and he welded all the way around on both sides


He even welded underneath it for extra support


grinded down the welds so that it looks clean and OEM


Painted it black


AND HERE IT IS!!!

Tejasandre

makin any more?

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

Got any pics of how the whole thing is attached to the frame? Not to be a nay sayer but all that extra leverage with those hooks mounted on that plate is really going to stress the mounting points in ways it wasnt designed for.

mikegmang

yes I have two more orders for next week. Texas Trucks need tow hooks lol.

My friend has been welding for years so Im not one bit concerned about these hooks ever coming off. Unless I take em off

BassAckwards

This, the bracket the bull bar came with would need to be beefed up too. I have a Westin and I just helped my bud put an Aries on his and neither of them are strong enough brackets to handle something like that.

I'd be interested to see it in action though.

The bracket he welded on the tow hook looks to be plenty strong. It's the bull bar bracket that it is bolted to that I would be worried about.

surelly09

Yeah i doubt those two 3/8 bolts(maybe smaller) are going to with stand a yank.. like pulling someone out of a ditch...

BassAckwards

But I definitely give the guy props for trying. I have a bull bar and desperately want a way to reattach my tow hooks but the best chance you have I believe is mounting them in the rear if your going to have any at all.

Scottsred11FX4

Looks good!

surelly09

Oh no arguing here.. it looks awesome... but as far as being functional.. i dunno.... i use my tow hooks...

FirstFtruck

I sure wouldn't want to be standing anywhere near those hooks if they were subjected to the strains imparted on them by the forces created when pulling someone out of a ditch or being pulled out of a mire.

The welds are not the issue nor is the vertical plate which has been added.

The problem arises with the angular forces with the increased length of the leverage arm which will almost curtainly shear those bolts.

I would advise a minimum of a pair of 5/8" structural bolts to offset the imparted load which has been increased by the lengthening of the leverage arm.

Edit - They look good, to help the angular forces you should shorten the vertical plate as much as possible up to within 1/4" of the bull bar.

Mark