3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Front tow hook

Old Mar 14, 2009 | 02:42 PM
  #1  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
Front tow hook

I have the rennenmetal.com tow hooks. The rear went on OK. For the front, do you need to remove anything? My AC seems to be in the way?
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2009 | 03:44 PM
  #2  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,750
Likes: 787
From: Bay Area CA
I think there was a mention to the a/c the instructions but I no longer have them
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2009 | 05:59 PM
  #3  
Natey's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,484
From: West Coast
The FEED hook I bought bolted right up. I'm not familiar with the ones you have and I'm kinda having trouble finding them at the site you mentioned. Got any pics or a direct link to the hook you're trying to install?
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2009 | 06:32 PM
  #4  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
from what I can tell its similar to the feed.

http://rennenmetal.com/proddetail.asp?prod=2120



found this too:
11-18-08, 03:16 PM #17
afterburn27
Oh yeah, one note on the RennenMetal hooks:

They are not a direct bolt on if you are still running AC. You will have to modify the AC condenser bracket to install the front tow hook. It isn't a huge deal, but be warned that it will take longer than 2 minutes to install.

If you don't have AC anymore then it bolts right up.
__________________
'93 RX-7 Base (GT3574 track toy)
'74 Triumph TR6
[
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 09:47 AM
  #5  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
Took a better look today - do you cut away the black plastic duct that covers part of the radiator opening on the sides and do you remove the ac bolt, put the hook under it and then bolt it back. Or is ther some other way.
thanks
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 04:52 PM
  #6  
Julian's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Longview, Texas
Don't cut the black plastic thing just remove it
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 06:01 PM
  #7  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,159
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
Appologies to BillM, but if anyone has installed pictures that would be appreciated. I think I'm missing something for the rear. Stock tie-down is missing.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:10 PM
  #8  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,750
Likes: 787
From: Bay Area CA
I think I have the instructions for the rear. PM me if needed and I'll look for them. I just sent the Rennen people an email also seeing if they have it in electronic form.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:13 PM
  #9  
FDNena's Avatar
I
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: In your dreams!
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Appologies to BillM, but if anyone has installed pictures that would be appreciated. I think I'm missing something for the rear. Stock tie-down is missing.

Sgt....this should help you out....

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?p=8243089
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:31 PM
  #10  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
I'll throw this in for the rear:

1. Get the driver side rear factory tie down plate.
2. Get under the car and remove the three bolts
3. Slide up and bolt in the factor tie down plate (a pain to reach the top bolt).
4. Bolt the rennenmetal eye, washers and backing plate.



Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:33 PM
  #11  
Natey's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,484
From: West Coast
Yes, you 'll need the stock tie down to install the rear. Here's a couple pics of my FEED front hook installed. I hope I was able to get a 1/2way decent angle, and pardon the dirty car.
It's wintertime and I've been DD'ing the FD. Also, the tape's under the hook to protect my new paint..


EDIT: Looks like Bill's got you covered for the rear. Good luck!
Attached Thumbnails Front tow hook-p3160156.jpg   Front tow hook-towhook1.jpg  
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:49 PM
  #12  
MuRCieLaGo's Avatar
Forever blown!
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 13
From: Trois-Rivieres (QC)
Why is there aftermarket tow hooks !?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 09:11 PM
  #13  
Natey's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,484
From: West Coast
The tow guy at buttonwillow bent the **** out of my JIC strut tower bar before I got my hooks.

My RX-7 had absolutely no where to hook up to when I bought it.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 09:35 PM
  #14  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,159
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
Thanks guys. That part number helps. I'll call Ray tomorrow.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 09:43 PM
  #15  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
so for the front hook do you just unbolt and move/remove the black duct. Do you unbolt the ac bracket and then put the tow hook under it??
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2009 | 10:27 PM
  #16  
Julian's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Longview, Texas
Originally Posted by MuRCieLaGo
Why is there aftermarket tow hooks !?
SCCA and NASA require tow hooks with 2 inch openings. To pull your broken down car off the track out of danger
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:06 AM
  #17  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,750
Likes: 787
From: Bay Area CA
Received an email from Rennen today:

"I am updating the instructions and adding a new rear eye to my mix for those who do not have the factory rear eye. It seems like some dealers removed the stock tie down eye during dealer prep. I have a new eye that combines the FD rear tie down and the 2" eye in one piece. A client is beta testing that for me now.

David Lee - RennenMetal"
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 04:09 PM
  #18  
Julian's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Longview, Texas
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
Received an email from Rennen today:

"I am updating the instructions and adding a new rear eye to my mix for those who do not have the factory rear eye. It seems like some dealers removed the stock tie down eye during dealer prep. I have a new eye that combines the FD rear tie down and the 2" eye in one piece. A client is beta testing that for me now.

David Lee - RennenMetal"
Good news! I had to make an adapter for my Rennenmetal tow hook since I did not have the rear tiedown eye. I can not remember if I removed years ago for weight savings or it was missing to begin with.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #19  
M104-AMG's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 6
From: FL
Originally Posted by BillM
so for the front hook do you just unbolt and move/remove the black duct. Do you unbolt the ac bracket and then put the tow hook under it??
BillM:

Did you ever get your front tow hook from rennenmetal installed ?

If so, any pics ?

How did you "modify" your front A/C bracket ?

What did you have to do to clear the stock foglight and A/C condenser ? How do you remove the black plastic ?

Please take a look at the attached photo.

I have circled the area where I think it mounts, could you please confirm.

TIA,
:-) neil
Attached Thumbnails Front tow hook-rennenmeta-rx7-front-tow-hook.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #20  
M104-AMG's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 6
From: FL
Originally Posted by Natey
Yes, you 'll need the stock tie down to install the rear. Here's a couple pics of my FEED front hook installed. I hope I was able to get a 1/2way decent angle, and pardon the dirty car.
It's wintertime and I've been DD'ing the FD. Also, the tape's under the hook to protect my new paint..


EDIT: Looks like Bill's got you covered for the rear. Good luck!
Natey,

any tips for install ? Did you remove the A/C condenser bracket ?

How did you even get in there ? From the bottom ?

:-) neil
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #21  
BillM's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX-7's since 1980
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 59
From: NYC
I never did put the front one on. Just went to the track with the rear only.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2009 | 04:51 PM
  #22  
M104-AMG's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 6
From: FL
I did manage to get the rennenmetal front tow hook installed on a Touring with the stock A/C condenser.

However I did have to lose the right-side fog-light.
I'm thinking about making two new fog-light brackets so the move is symmetrical.
Until then, I'll just have one fog-light.

Some notes:

You need to drop the lower plastic panel to access the two A/C condenser mounting brackets on the right-side.

By removing those two brackets, you are able to carefully move the A/C condenser just enough to install the tow-hook with the supplied hardware.

However, you must grind away the corner edges of the A/C condenser so the tow-hook can lay flat against the A/C condenser bracket.

You must also ENLARGE the slotted hole, since even with the edges ground-off, the provided slotted hole seems designed without the A/C condenser bracket in mind.

Regardless, it's installed, fits well, clears the stock A/C condenser, and I only had to lose one fog-light.

:-) neil
Attached Thumbnails Front tow hook-fd-touring-tow-hook-1.jpg   Front tow hook-fd-touring-tow-hook-2-ac.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2010 | 08:07 PM
  #23  
beckrx's Avatar
Cosmo's Factory
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I recently purchased the tow hooks from Rennenmetal.com. The rear install was plug and play. As did Neil, for the front tow hook I dropped the undertray and disconnected the upper/lower AC condensor brackets but I could not get the front tow hook to line up because the bottom of the tow hook eye was pressing against the bumper cover. I figured that the front tow hook was designed for a front end that had a larger opening, such as the 99spec, and concur with Neil that it must have been designed for use without an AC condensor. I called David Lee at Rennenmetal.com and discussed this with him. After a few email exchanges with photos and measurements, David then tilted the tow hook eye upward and made a prototype with a 2cm lift on the eye portion to give me the clearance needed on the bumper cover. As you can see from the picture, it fit perfectly. I then sent it back to David and he since modified his jig and made a batch of 50 front tow hooks. I installed my new black powdercoated front tow hook this afternoon in half an hour following Neil's directions except I did not need to enlarge the slotted hole as it bolted in cleanly. Many thanks to David for taking the time to work with me on this. My wife, on the otherhand, hates when Neil comes over to the house because I end up buying something new! However, many thanks go to Neil for what he has helped/taught me do and for our future projects.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2010 | 08:10 PM
  #24  
beckrx's Avatar
Cosmo's Factory
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Florida
...and the photo.
Attached Thumbnails Front tow hook-rennenmetal-prototype-mod.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 09:58 PM
  #25  
Hi Im Simon's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 2
From: so cal
Sorry for bringing back an old thread. I really need a front tow hook that goes through the oil cooler side. I purchase the Rennmetal tow hooks, but my front mount is way too big.

any suggestions?
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:22 AM.