| From | Message |
Hawkeye
*GenIII*
 
1/14/2002
10:20:26
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 Subject: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Thought I'd post this here as well as the open board.
For those of you with 00's and a 3 inch body lift there is a way to have front tow hooks. I just put 2 on mine Saturday. Just regular black tow hooks. Just drilled 2 holes and mounted them right to the frame. Trimmed about a 2 inch square notch in the bottom of the plastic on the front bumper but you can only see it if laying on your back looking straight up. Cant see it from the front, You can see the hooks sticking down and it does look good. Since they are mounted on the frame they are very solid and also high enough up that you will still be able to get to them fairly easy if you happen to bury the from end. I'm not sure how this would work for those of you with 01's since you have the cutouts in the front plastic. I need to look at one up close with the lift to see. For those with non-lifted trucks there is always Knobbymans brackets. Non-lifted 00's could probably use the brackets but would have to cut out the slots in the lower part of the bumper like the 01's. I will try to get the pictures of mine up as soon as possible and explain the install a bit more in detail. Had to put a very thin (1/8 to 1/4) piece of aluminum bar in between the hook and the frame. Will explain it when the picks are up. These are not going anywhere though.
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
1/28/2002
16:37:53
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a couple of pictures in. Will try to get them posted tonight.
Urban Warrior
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
1/28/2002
21:19:41
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
See my post in the open off road board.
Urban Warrior
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/01/2002
17:15:12
| RE: Tow hooks
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Message:
I went to the dealer today to try and buy a set of towhooks, and they told me that they don't even make them for my 2001. I guess not i have to buy a aftermarket set and drill/install them myself.
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/02/2002
13:23:27
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Nope.. Dodge doesn't make tow hooks anymore for ANY Dakota.. They used to for the older ones but not anymore. If you go to this link
http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/off/147-3.html you can see the part I made for my truck so that the tow hooks will mount threw the holes on the front bumper.
Hawkeyes will work if you have a 3" body lift... I don't so I did this instead. I think Hawkeyes is a stronger way of doing it though.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/02/2002
17:56:46
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Not making front tow hooks available at all kind of half defeats the purpose of their offroad package, since the skidplates they offer are a joke. I was wondering why i even have those two square cutouts below my foglights then? Guess im just gonna drill and bolt on the set that i have. Oh well.
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/02/2002
22:06:44
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Actually The skid plates they have work quite well. The problem is with the actual mounts not the plate material.
Just thought I'd let you all know that.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/03/2002
12:54:36
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Im not sure where you wheel, but i broke mine already. Not the mount, but the plate itself. Slid off of a log and came down hard on a sharp rock. Steel would be much better, but what are you gonna do.
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Halo3
GenIII
5/04/2002
09:19:26
|  RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, figured I'd throw in my two cents. I have tow hooks mounted on the winch plate of my Trans4mer grill gaurd (Warn). The nice thing about them is that I can hook a tow strap to them to do those quick pulls...don't have to dig out the winch remote, unwind cable...blah blah blah. In fact, this past winter I yanked a couple people out of ditches on the side of the road....one being a full-sized Chebby. hehe
As for the skid plates, I have to agree with Knobby there. Yeah, I've got some cracks in mine. Yeah, I've got a corner missing out of one (about the size of a dime). But, you know what? They've held up.
Let's be really serious here. If you hit something HARD, the OEM composites will flex, absorb the impact, and likely crack/splinter, but in the end, they'll go back to their original shape/position. A metal skid plate (as most are using 3/16" or 1/4" metal), will bend/buckle...decreasing drivetrain clearances and any number of other things. Bottom line is that in both situations you have a messed up skid plate that threw itself in front of the "bullet" to save your Dak.
One other thing I've noticed with the composites is that they don't absorb & trap the heat as bad as metal skid plates do. And, I don't care what kind of vehicle you drive, minimizing heat is a good thing.
Just my two cents...
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/04/2002
22:31:38
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, i'm man enough to admit when im wrong, so maybe i gave the 'plates a bum wrap. Your definitely right Halo about it throwing itself in front of a bullet for me, could have done some serious and pricey damage. I really just wish i could get a set of towhooks without cutting a hole in the lower valence.
Hey Knobby, how is that lift coming for your truck? Seriously, im not trying to rub it in. Im really intersted in how its going to turn out since the offroad shop near me told me they could "modify anything to fit with realative ease". Id like to see how your comes out first before i go throwing my money at tuff country(I know yours is a Truckin' Suspension, but the Tuff country 5.5 is the one that they suggested modifying for me) for a lift that will cost more in the end for the custom work that will have to be done.
~~Tom
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/05/2002
10:29:52
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Last I checked.. Tuff Country didn't have a suspension lift for the 4x4.. only for the 4x2. If that's what you have cool.. If not you might want to double check...
One of these days.. I'm just going to post a picture of my truck riding around on 42's and be like.. THERE IT"S DONE! ;-) lol seriously though Mikes figured out the steering and they are going to start on that on Monday they don't think it's going to have any bump steer but only time will tell.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/05/2002
21:04:08
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm looking at the June 2002 issue of Four Wheeler at the Tuff Country/Suspension Connection ad on page 61, lists 97-99 Dakota 5.5" EZ-Ride lift. It doesnt say anything about 4x4 or 4x2.
I hope its for a 4x4, or else i have to look for another company. Ever see the ad for Desert Rat, they lift a Rancho 3" lift for a 99 and newer 4x4 Dak, even though it doesnt exist(YET[fingers crossed]). Stuff like that just kills me, because every time i see it, no matter how many times i correct myself, i think its for real. D@MN I NEED A LIFT!!! Sorry 'bout that.
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/06/2002
10:45:14
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
LoL .. u do realize you posted on a Tow Hooks post right?
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Halo3
GenIII
5/06/2002
12:14:09
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Think of it as "diversifying the forum thread" hehe
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/06/2002
22:26:13
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Guess I'll stop here then.
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/06/2002
22:34:29
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah, Knobby said something about Tuff Country, and i kinda got off on a tangent. Happens quite often with me, ill try to keep it under control.
I've been known to argue to the end about things, to later find out that im really wrong, so just correct me where ever need be.
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/07/2002
09:20:52
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
YOUR WRONG!!! ;-) I'm just playin.. not upset or anything just saying you'll probably get more direct attention if you post on a thread that has to do with the topic your talking about..
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
5/07/2002
12:27:26
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Are you guys mucking up my thread?
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/07/2002
16:26:20
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
What fun is making a new post to talk about nothing important on? ... Yes .. of course we are.. but it's all in good fun.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Halo3
GenIII
5/07/2002
18:39:05
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah, I'm mucking up a thread, but your thread?!? Show me some form of proof that it's your thread, Hawkeye!!
I think it's our. After all, I have intellectual property residing herein!!
8^)
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
5/08/2002
15:32:03
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
It mine because I started it and I say it is!
Do you WANT me to run over your face?? :-P
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/08/2002
15:51:38
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Hawkeye, your truck ROCKS. Think you could get a closer picture of where you installed the towhooks?
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
5/08/2002
16:20:22
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Like these??
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
5/09/2002
08:22:54
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
LoL
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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TommyBoy
Gen III
5/09/2002
12:35:24
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
HAHAHA,...yeah, i think thats close enough. Looks good though.
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swish
DakotaEnthusiast
7/05/2002
18:36:40
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
Hawkeye,
do you think your set up will work on a 98?
Swish
98, 4x4, cc, 5.2, 5-speed
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
7/05/2002
19:59:36
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
If you have a body lift it should.
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swish
DakotaEnthusiast
7/06/2002
11:44:56
| RE: Tow hooks
IP: Logged
Message:
good. gonna get some when i get home and see if it works. need some up front. thanks, swish
98, 4x4, cc, 5.2, 5-speed
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