Tow hooks

[Mark E Speece]

I am almost ashamed to ask this question... so I'll explain myself first:
I live in Manhattan. I bought my Wagoneer while living in Manhattan. The Wag' is kept in a storage garage across town. I go weeks without seeing the Jeep. All work is done in Richmond, VA when visiting friends and family. So, any mod is done by first planning, buying parts, lining up help if needed - then knocking it out before the Jeep heads back up the interstate.

The question... What's involved with getting tow hooks attached to the frame up front? Will standard aftermarket hooks and 2" grade 8s do the job?

I'm going to an event (Jeep Jamboree) and found out that I must have tow hooks to play. This mod will be done on the street in front of my Apt!

Thanks,
Mark

[KENALL]

then i wood not get tow hooks..so to speak. the best technique i have found for the wags of any year is to use a 3ft section of 3/8s chain, a link repair kit, and a chain hook that is made for 3/8" chain.

the 'chain repair kit' is a type of link that will make 2 pieces of chain into one.

now study the front P side front frame rail. urll notice that the frame rail itself has a gusset when it attaches to the front xmember. urll also notice the body mount is in that same area.

now, take one end of the chain and pass it up the outside of the P side frame rail AFT of that body mount, over the top and down the other side only far enuff for a link or 2 to dangle below the frame rail.

attach the 'chain repair link' to the short end of the chain, bring the link under the bot of the frame rail and attach it to a convienent link of the long section. this will make the chain now part of the frame rail. if u want to..u cood even use a HD key lock to do this and make this a really 'on off' affair.

now grasp the other end of the chain on the long section, bring it on the inside of the rail and pass it thru the opening in the gusset of the side rail and the front xmember from top to bottom. pull the threaded section of chain tightly down so there will be no slippage. rotate the section of the chain that is wrapped around the rail so the chain passes on the inside of the body mount.

the long end of the chain hangs down from the gusset opening, attach the hook to this end, this is now ur tow hook. u can remove this assembly whenever u wish and requires no drilling.

when u have to use it, u will use a tow strap with an 'eye' at ea end. pass the hook thru said eye and then over a link on the chain. if u wish, u can cover the chain, behind the hook, with a section of bicycle inner tube to prevent scratches to the under side of ur bumper.



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1966 Super Wagoneer
'The Predecessor' http://home.earthlink.net/~kenns9/index.html

[JERRY88GW]

I bet all those taxi drivers get out of your way going down B-Way. http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/smile.gif

I use to live in the city. (Little D.R.) 175th & Ft. Wash. (Bad Neighborhood, Cheap Rent!)

I'm just curious, does it cost as much in the city to put a GW in storage as it does to pay rent?

[ClarkGriswald]

You must have incredible patience.. I hate big city's.. Although I pretty much do my work in my gravel driveway and thats dang near what your doin in the street.. just as bad. no shop, no solvent tank, no pit, no bench... ect.... I dont know how people can live all crammed together like that.. not that michigan isnt heavily populated in the lower part and around detroit. but I can only imagine what it must be like to deal with working on a project truck\toy. in the midst of the urban sprawl...more power to ya.. and cudo's on that roofrack. also did you hear from the jeep jamboree people yet?? do they allow FSJ's?? according to theyre website you need prior approval to bring a large jeep. (are you talking jeep jamboree usa or whatever that big one is?)

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88 Grand Wagoneer
D44's front\rear
AMC 360
TF 727
NP 229 (Funky)
Bone Stock (for now)
NO RUNNING BOARDS!

[Manhattan]

Kennall - Thanks for the detailed install guide!!! I've always said/been told to avoid chains in "unstucking" 4X4s. What do you think?

Jerry - The Wag' (now lifted) is a fair match for the cabs... the busses still win. I bet I could take any cabbie, give'em a day behind the wheel of a 4X4 and they would become an excellent wheeler... these guys just know where their corners/tires are within 1/2 inch!

Clark - I don't drive in the city except leaving and returning. The Wag' sleeps in a cozy gararge off Broadway. Prices for parking a car in a garage range from $150 - $500 per month. I do absolutely no work on the Jeep in the city. It is effectively based in VA and makes trips to NYC - a little backwards. The Jeep guys said my Wag' was allowed in the Jamboree... I think they want a winch anchor.

[This message has been edited by Manhattan (edited August 01, 2000).]

[scotty]

when people say to not use chains for extracting stuck vehicles,the mean do not connect the stuck vehicle to the rescueing vehicle with chain. if the stuck vehicle is not badly stuck,and can be extracted by a gentle pull,then its not as bad to use chain,just make sure everyone stands clear.

you should NEVER yank on a badly stuck vechicle with chain. you will bend/break parts on both vehicles,and if the chain come off or breaks,it will have lots of momentum-enough to badly injure or kill someone-so dont do it. the same goes gor straps with hooks-they will give,and prevent possible jeep damage,unless the hook slips off,in which case it,too, will have enough mementum to cause bodily injury and/or jeep damage wherever the hook hits.

the safest way to extract stuck vehicles is with straps with hoops that are attached to strong,well engineered and fastened frame mounted attachment points. again,if a tow hook breaks off,it can cause very serious bodily injury and/or jeep damage. the nylon straps can stretch and give,thus preventing alot of possible frame bending/breaking possible with chains. the stored energy in the strretched strap also helps free the vehicle by snapping back,like a big rubber band.

the chain idea is a good one-its a PITA to find somewhere to attach towhooks to a fsj in the front. just make sure that the chain you use is strong enough for all the yanking that it will take to remove a badly stuck 4500+ pound vehicle from a deep,soupy mud hole. i keep repeating my self,on this one,but again,you do not want a length of chain flying thru the air-serious injury,death,or severe jeep damage could result.

its just not worth the risk- i witnessed a broken tow hook fly thru a cjs windshield one time-it missed the guys head by about 5 inches.it had to be traveling at 100+ mph-it wnet right thru that windshield and didnt slow down a bit.

a word on tow straps-dont waste your money on 2" wide,auto zone $19.99 15,000 lb straps.youll be lucky to get 2 trips out of them,if you actually put them to use.i have personally broken more than id like to admit. get the biggest,fattest one one you can afford(at leas 3" wide,pref 4) from somewhere like tractor supply co.,or quality farm and fleet.it will save you in the long run.expect to pay $50 to $150 for a good one.they have up to 6" wide rated at 55,000 lbs. it also helps to spray them off at the carwash after an outing,and keep them inside-dont leave it wrapped around your bumper or grill gaurd-its convinient to have them there while your wheeling,but the sun will dry it up and make it brittle if you leave it there permantly.

happy wheelin'


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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258/904/twin stick dana 300/dana 44/welded amc 20
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

[KENALL]

yes scotty, that is y i recomend min 3/8 chain that has a working load of 2650lbs...thats half ur fsj...

also, i recomend only enuff length of chain so the hook will reach beyond the front of the bumper.

so far..this tech has worked for me. i have this type of attachment FnR.

also, when winching...u shood ahve ur hood up...



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1966 Super Wagoneer
'The Predecessor' http://home.earthlink.net/~kenns9/index.html