wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

This has been on my to-do list for some time now and finally decided to start fabricating it. IMO the stock hooks are worthless and can cause some damage to the bumper when they pull up on it. I am not a fan of any of the aftermarket ones on the market either. I have always liked the screw in type cause you can hide them but then when tracking, you can just screw them in. Here are some pics:






Obviously it is just tacked together currently. I am going to weld the top side of the seam below along with the underside.



I am going to make a bottom brace, thoughts on this design? I am cutting it away like this to clear the bumper on the front and also leave access to the bolt on the bottom.





More progress. I ended up shortening it by about 5/8" to tuck it up a little tighter under the bumper. Made the bottom brace and this thing is solid, probably overkill but I would rather have it that way.











And with the hook removed:



Next up is the other side and then I will clean them up and powder-coat everything!

Natey

iTrader: (19)

Looks like a good alternative to the FEED.
You're right about the OEM "hooks". Those are just tie downs from the trip over from Japan. They're not even really tow hooks.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

Nice fab work. Total overkill with that steel thickness.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

I used 3/16 steel, 1/8" just seemed to thin. Thought about making out of 1/4" Aluminum... Maybe next round.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Well done. Damn I envy you guys who can fabricate like that. And I really like the removable aspect vs. my Rennenmetal version. The only saving grace is it's red and so is my car. Besides, I had to cut and re-weld the front ring bracket so it would fit right.

$lacker

iTrader: (9)

Nice, but you need ducting

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Patience little grasshopper.. more to come... Need these first, now time to play with fiberglass....

silentblu

iTrader: (1)

Any designs for FMIC people?

t-von

iTrader: (8)

Hmm I use that same spot to mount my undertray. I've been looking for something to do for a tow hook. You give me ideas.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Finished the other side and got everything powder coated and installed.

Cosmo_TT

iTrader: (11)

I would love these for the FC, I would buy full sets for both my FC's

DriftDreamzSS

iTrader: (4)

Great design. For people that have to worry about front plate laws this would be perfect for integrating an easily removable license plate bracket that screws into the same thread as the hook, similar to whats offered for many of the new cars with this type of hidden tow hook oem.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

Ah, I see. Looks much thicker in pics.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

This is actually a great idea... We have to have them here but I have never gotten bugged but thing I am going to make a bracket! More welding ahead.

craaaazzy

iTrader: (9)

That looks great. Where did you buy the tow hook and corresponding piece it screws into, if you don't mind me asking?

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

I got the eye hooks from McMaster Carr, they are forged steel. the hex rod was just solid and I tapped it with the 5/8-11 thread.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

So it was mentioned that it would be nice to use this as a license plate mount. Also, I have started a group buy feeler thread and seems most people want this. What this leads to is more fabrication.

I originally thought I could just make a bracket and weld it to a bolt and done... Not so simple. Because the plate is off-center, angled and I wanted it somewhat tight against the car, it won't screw on. So I had to go to plan B.

I will use a threaded rod and then a sleeve that slides over the rod and will use a locking pin like this: McMaster-Carr

So here is what the back looks like:


And then I have a couple placement options: I like this, tucked and angled down:




This is slightly more towards the center and also more straight up and down:



So what is your opinion on location??

tt7hvn

iTrader: (5)

I think it's great!

This is some really good work.

ATX-RX

iTrader: (5)

I'm in for the tow hooks. Group buy please!!!

DriftDreamzSS

iTrader: (4)

I like the first placement location best.

briansfd

iTrader: (4)

I would absolutely get this for a license plate relocate, tow hook is a definetly a plus though!

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Please don't mention group but, this thread will get deleted.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Here is final iteration, threaded stud with a sleeve that slides over. I will offer a bolt to go through or a quick release pin. Pic below is with the quick release pin. The nice thing about the threaded design is it will allow users to adjust it for different bumpers. The quick release pin is nice it you want to take on and off frequently.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

What are the dimensions of the hook part? SCCA, NASA and most other organizations require it to be 2" inner diameter. Here are a couple for reference:
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...asp?RecID=5178

Nice fab work. I'm too OCD to install an uncentered license plate but that's my problem.

If you want to do a group buy follow the proper process.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Great call! I didn't know there was a 2" size req, mine is only 1 1/4". I was actually designing the thread size (5/8-11) based on Rennlines universal screw in type. But that OMP one is inexpensive. But that is a much smaller thread size, m12. Looking around, there are a lot of different tow hooks out there is different thread sizes. I am going to look around and maybe redesign a little to accommodate a wide array of hooks.