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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
 
1/13/2002
08:19:02
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 Subject: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
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 yesterday. 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*
1/16/2002
16:33:49
|  RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Should have a few pictures available in a day or three.
Urban Warrior
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
1/28/2002
16:42:25
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Finally got some pics in. Will post them tonight.
Urban Warrior
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
1/28/2002
21:16:13
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Here they are.
Urban Warrior
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Dakota
GenIII
1/28/2002
21:32:01
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Sweet! Nice job Hawk.
-Dakota
3" Body Lift
Quick D Intake
Dynomax Race Magnum Exhaust
Http://dakota.4mg.com
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/28/2002
21:49:36
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Hey, those look pretty good Hawkeye. Good idea, I think I'll take a look at my front bumper and if the holes in bumper line up with frame so I don't have to cut anything. What did you use to make the holes for bolts?
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
1/29/2002
10:27:20
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
A drill! Hehehe. Sorry, couldnt resist.
Just drilled to holes and bolted them on. Its kinda tight as the frame starts to curve a little bit. The silver pieces between the hook and the frame are hard aluminum. Used those as spacers to help out with the curve. You can see it just slightly at the very rear of the hook. When you tighten the hooks down, the aluminum bends just enough to conform to the curve in the frame. The lower part of the plastic on the front bumper will flex up when you put a strap or rope on the hook, but it only moves up about an inch or 2 until it hits the frame, so it doesnt get damaged at all.
Urban Warrior
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
1/29/2002
17:24:24
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Drill bit, I was only asking for the less informed patrons of this site:) I think it will work on mine without any cutting of bumper with the factory holes.
Flowmaster stainless cat back, Air Raid CAD and homemade TB connect, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs
3 inch body and 1.5" block lift, 33x11.50-16's, Superlift Truspeed Recalibrator
Powerslot Rotors, Ceramic Brake Pads
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
1/30/2002
11:30:52
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Nice Job Hawkeye... jezz.. how long were those hooks laying in your floor board? Your almost as bad as me.... Almost.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
2/14/2002
10:46:19
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
BTT, since the question seems to be resurfacing, again.
Urban Warrior
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ogreboy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/14/2002
11:33:53
|  RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Since this is coming up again, I have a question. Looking at the frame rails up front, they are (essentially) square section tubes. When mounting tow hooks in the front, do the bolts go all they way thru the frame rail, or do they bolt only onto the bottom side (with the nut inside the tube)? It seems like if the bolt goes all the way thru, you could crush the frame rail tube if it's tightened too much. On the other hand, it's only a pretty thin peice of metal to bolt to if you don't go all the way thru.
Thoughts?
Knobby - which way did you go?
Thnx,
OB
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
2/14/2002
12:35:15
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
I built my own mounts because I don't have the body lift... But I'd only go threw the first side w/ the nuts in the middle of the frame either that or use something to take up the space in the middle of the Tube.. like stacking washers on top of eachother, but.. that'd take a whole bunch of washers so I'd try & find something else. But that's just me.
What about u Hawkeye?
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
2/14/2002
14:37:32
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
You couldnt get to the other end of the bolt if you went all the way through, not to mention, thats a long way to drill a hole. I dont know of any that go all the way through, even factory ones on other brands. I dont think you are giving the metal enough credit for its strength.
Urban Warrior
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ogreboy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/14/2002
15:12:40
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
OK. Fair enough about not having a bolt long enough and underestimating the strength of the material. So I guess the solution is to just use the bottom side of the tube, which will likely be just fine. Or (since I am a glutton for over-building) fabricate some long bolts and machine some columns or braces to span the inner distance in the frame tube. Hmm.
Thnx for all the input,
OB
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
2/14/2002
15:33:02
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
I really don't think it's worth it to do all the fabing work.. Just bolt it to the bottom.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/14/2002
17:24:23
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Hi,
Just bought a new 2002 Dakota 4x4-v8 with skid plates - will receive it in 2 weeks! I am trying to find tow hooks that would fit on it, but those from the Dakota 97 (I had a 97 before) do not fit anymore! You all seem to build your own tow hooks, but is there a company who builds a kit to install? Chrysler is telling me if I do any modification on the frame, I lose my waranty! It has to be done by a Chrysler dealer... So I need to provide them a kit... Any suggestions?
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Erod
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/15/2002
23:57:37
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Pro Comp makes a tow hook and is available from Summit Racing.
Evan
'97 CC 4x4 4.7L
Love the truck!
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
2/17/2002
11:01:24
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Erod .. Tow hooks aren't the problem it's mounting them to our frame.
Martin - Unfortunatelly there are NO kits available. I will have blueprints of the mounts I made you don't have to drill any new holes it uses the mounts for the bumper. But I THINK if you pulled hard enough it would pull your bumper also.. But I haven't pulled it that hard ;-) YET!
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2002
10:35:52
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes, tow hooks on the bumper might be ok, but I would think the bumper might leave if you tow someone from snow or mud...??? I would definitly prefer installing them on the frame, but how??? I am also trying to get an answer from Chrysler on this, but... So far... Nothing! They are only suggesting me REAR tow hooks! (which is not exactly what I am looking for! :-) )
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
2/21/2002
13:57:26
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
NO NO you don't bolt them to the bumper. You use the holes in the frame where the bumper bolts to the frame.. Your bumper,frame & tow hook all bolt together.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2002
15:48:51
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
But isn'it high where the bumber is fixed to the frame? If I understand correctly, you have installed a kind of "L" metal piece to bring down the point where you can fix your hooks?
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2002
17:56:07
| Tow hooks without a body lift
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Message:
Knobbyman,
would you mind emailing me the plans for those tow hook brackets? I was going to get down with some scrap cardboard and make a template, and have someone fabricate me some... I can't persuade you to make some for me for $$$, can I ; )
thanks,
jim
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2002
18:12:50
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
I'd be very interested too! Either the plans or the kit! Maybe you should consider starting a business!!! :-)
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
2/22/2002
18:44:58
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Um, in case you cant tell, mine are bolted directly to the frame. Not the bumper. I know its a little hard to see in the pics.
My Site
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jsanz11
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/26/2002
20:32:25
|  RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
what about grill guards? if i were to put a 3 inch body on my dak wouldn't that mean my grill would be sitting 3 inches low??
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
2/27/2002
08:25:21
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Probably yes.. But it depends how it's mounted. If it's one of those bolt to the bumper mounts... Then no. But if it's the kind that bolt to the frame then yes it would be low. You could fabricate some mounts to lift it though.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2002
16:27:33
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
This is what I did on my 2001 QC:
I was going to build a bracket (sort of like a bracket for a receiver) and bolt the hooks to it. Then my dad asked me why not mount them directly to the bottom of frame. Well, that is what I did. I had to use a 1 in spacer so the hooks would be alligned with the openings on the valence. They are about 2.5-3 inches inside the valance, which makes towing on with too much of an angle impossible without messing up the valance,however, it was easy to do. All I did was bore out an existing hole and drill another one for each hook. It's an idea worth looking into!
Truck on...
2001 QC 4x4 SLT+
4.7 auto LSD 3.55
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2002
17:44:02
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Do you have skid plates? With skid plates, it seems quite difficult to reach the frame...
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/02/2002
20:01:54
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Martin: Yes I have the skid plates. If you put your hand in through the tow hook opening on the bumper, you'll be able to feel the frame. In my case, I was able to do all the work easyly without taking anything apart on the truck, from underneath. If I can get a hold of a digital camera I'll take pictures and post them.
Truck on...
2001 QC 4x4 SLT+
4.7 auto LSD 3.55
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Martin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/03/2002
13:11:47
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
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Message:
Great! Which hooks did you use? From a previous message you are saying they are 2-3in. shorter to get out of the valence; but I know the hooks for the RAM are about 12in. long... Maybe those ones would get out of the valence? I hope I can see those pictures!!!
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/03/2002
15:46:56
| RE: Tow hooks with a body lift
IP: Logged
Message:
Martin: I used a set of standard tow hooks that I bought at a parts store, You're right, if you can get a set of longer hooks, they will stick out from the valence. Keep two things in mind tho: first, the hooks have to be with a 90 degree twist to them in order to come out of the bumper in a horizontal position. Second, the longer the hooks, the greater the torque applied to the bolts and frame in case of an angle tow. This can mean breaking the hooks (or blots) or bending the frame.
Good luck!
Truck on...
2001 QC 4x4 SLT+
4.7 auto LSD 3.55
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