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

New Tow hook deisgn

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 01:08 PM
  #1  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
New Tow hook deisgn

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!
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #2  
Natey's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,484
From: West Coast
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.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 01:07 PM
  #3  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,766
Likes: 794
From: Bay Area CA
Nice fab work. Total overkill with that steel thickness.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 02:16 PM
  #4  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
I used 3/16 steel, 1/8" just seemed to thin. Thought about making out of 1/4" Aluminum... Maybe next round.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 05:18 AM
  #5  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
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.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
$lacker's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 15
From: Canada
Nice, but you need ducting
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 07:34 PM
  #7  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by $lacker
Nice, but you need ducting
Patience little grasshopper.. more to come... Need these first, now time to play with fiberglass....
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2014 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
silentblu's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 764
Likes: 1
From: california
Any designs for FMIC people?
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2014 | 08:55 AM
  #9  
t-von's Avatar
Rotor Head Extreme
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,719
Likes: 26
From: Midland Texas
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.

New Tow hook deisgn-forumrunner_20141225_085157.jpg



New Tow hook deisgn-forumrunner_20141225_085306.jpg
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2014 | 06:53 PM
  #10  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Finished the other side and got everything powder coated and installed.









Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 08:18 AM
  #11  
Cosmo_TT's Avatar
BRAAAAAP pssh BRAAAAAP
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1
From: cali
I would love these for the FC, I would buy full sets for both my FC's
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:12 AM
  #12  
DriftDreamzSS's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 5
From: Ventura
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.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:41 PM
  #13  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,766
Likes: 794
From: Bay Area CA
Originally Posted by wickedrx7
I used 3/16 steel, 1/8" just seemed to thin. Thought about making out of 1/4" Aluminum... Maybe next round.
Ah, I see. Looks much thicker in pics.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 07:49 PM
  #14  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by DriftDreamzSS
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.
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.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 09:25 PM
  #15  
craaaazzy's Avatar
Slowly but surely
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 10
From: GA
That looks great. Where did you buy the tow hook and corresponding piece it screws into, if you don't mind me asking?
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2014 | 07:44 AM
  #16  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by craaaazzy
That looks great. Where did you buy the tow hook and corresponding piece it screws into, if you don't mind me asking?
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.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2014 | 08:42 PM
  #17  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
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??
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2015 | 10:37 AM
  #18  
tt7hvn's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: New Bern, NC
I think it's great!

This is some really good work.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2015 | 11:38 AM
  #19  
ATX-RX's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Austin tx
I'm in for the tow hooks. Group buy please!!!
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2015 | 11:49 AM
  #20  
DriftDreamzSS's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 5
From: Ventura
I like the first placement location best.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2015 | 12:37 PM
  #21  
briansfd's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 354
Likes: 46
From: Plano, TX
I would absolutely get this for a license plate relocate, tow hook is a definetly a plus though!
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2015 | 01:23 PM
  #22  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Please don't mention group but, this thread will get deleted.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 09:38 AM
  #23  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
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.







Reply
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 12:18 PM
  #24  
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
needs more track time
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,766
Likes: 794
From: Bay Area CA
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.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 02:04 PM
  #25  
wickedrx7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
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.
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.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:13 PM.