Tow hook installation issues!!!

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:11 pm

OK, here's the deal; bought some tow hooks off of a fellow LOST'er and i've got some hardware issues...

First off is the rear hook: I'm missing one of the bolts and nutzerts and i was wondering if i could substitute one of the ones from the front?

Second is also inolving the rear hook: I'm not sure that the two bolts supplied with the rear hook were the right size...they don't seem to thread into the holes in the frame rail. Here's a pic of the bolt (i know it's not great) if you look closely, you can see that it says "WT" on top, and "8.8" on the bottom, is this the right bolt? I've tried all the bolts that you will see in the picture below, and none seem to fit correctly.

Third: for the front end i've only got three of the four bolts that attatch to the supplied bolt plates (eww, no m-bolts) Does anyone know where i can get another one of these, or should i just use some 2.25" u-bolts and some lock nuts, as i've heard can be done???

Here's a pic of all the hardware that i've got, which brings up my fourth issue: See those little bolts with lock nuts and lock washers there at the bottom? Any clue what they're for, or are they just mistakes.

Thanks for all your help,
-Savage-

Note, All the parts are laid out as it seems that they would go together, please let me know if anything is wrong, thanks...

m0th · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:03 am

I seem to remember that the rear hook shares a bolt with the gas tank skid plate.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:58 am

looks like the little guys are extras... Also it does look like you have everything laid out properly, the only thing I can say about your fitment issue is do not force them, it would be better to just go buy the right bolts.

As for the u bolt idea, I would recomend against that, the bolt plate you have is probably the strongest way to go, remember you are going to pull the entire front of you rig with those things.

dkcase · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:57 am

That rear hook doesn't look like mine on an '02. Is yours for an '03, in your sig ? Should be the same.

I wish I had a picture, but I remember there are two bolts that thread into the frame, and a third that used a clip that captures the bolt in a hole in the frame.

The rear two that you are asking about should be M12x1.75x40mm. THe 40 isn't critical if you are just attaching the tow hook. I think I used 35 mm long. If you need the
length to also attach the tank skid plate, it may make a difference.

First, I would double check if that is the right application for that rear hook.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:01 am

Yes, that rear hook SHOULD be using the two bolts that are shown in the picture AND a bolt and nutzert, but the bolt and nutzert are missing. What i was thinking about doing was just buying one of those front towhook install kits and using that and then using one of the extra bolts and nutzerts for the rear. Ahh, almost forgot, it seems like the bolts that are there (the ones that seem too big) will thread in for about 1 or 2 threads before they stop, it seems like the threads in the frame rail are just all clogged/rusted, which isn't impossible considering that there's never been anything in them. How should i go about REALLY cleaning out those threads so i can see if the supplied bolts will finally fit.

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:37 am

On my rear i had to "make up" the back bolt. The two that are in line i had nutzerts. THe rear i had to just take a grade 8 bolt and use some heavy washers and lock washer.

I know that the nutzert nuts were REALLY rusty. I had to use lube and screw the nutzert in and out quite a bit before it started to go in easily. Also be sure that your not using course thread where you should be using fine, or vise versa. I think the nutzerts are course thread???

-Nick

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:42 pm

A tap would be best Savage to clean out those holes. When I put my hitch on I sprayed them real good with some pb blaster then put the bolts all the way in then backed them out to help clean them out, mine were not back at all since my jeep was fairly new then.

I do not think those are the right bolts that go into the nuts welded into the frame.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:23 pm

I think i remember someone here offering me some bolts and some pictures of the right ones, is that offer still up, if so please PM me. I'll probably be going to the stealership today to pick up one of the bolts and nutzerts, and hopefully i'll be able to get one of the tow hook installation kits for the front.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:13 pm

I dont remember anyone saying anything about giving you bolts. :wink:

Anyway, pics.

These are the bolts that came with my hitch, they look alot strong+bigger than the stock mopar bolts that came with my skid. So I used them instead of the mopar ones.

Heres what the bolts look like with the skid.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:46 pm

OK, well, I just got back from the hardware store. I splurged and spent $3.20 on new bolts of the specs. mentioned above....and as it turns out, the original bolts WERE the correct thread, (even thought they're 5mm shorter) but the nuts in the chassis are just rusted to all get out...So, i went on a nice little shopping spree and attempted to buy a 12mm tap....umm....yeah, wish me luck with that...i can't find one anywhere...i tried all the local hardware stores, and noone's got one. So, looks like i'm up "the" creek w/o out a hole tap. Any suggestions? Maybe if i'm crafty i can make a tap out of the old bolts???

dkcase · **Posted:** Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:41 am

SavageSS27 wrote:

...... Maybe if i'm crafty i can make a tap out of the old bolts???

I would try just that.

Do you have a Dremel tool ? Hacksaw ?

Cut a slot longitudinally along the bolt through the threads for a length of 5 or 6 threads. If you look at the flutes of a tap, this slot will be like a narrow flute.

Use an abundance of a penetrating oil like PB Blaster sprayed into the hole and turn the bolt into it just like it were a tap -- advance a quarter turn , back off a half turn, or the like. The exposed edges you created with the slot may clean the crud from the threads.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2007 6:49 pm

Hey Savage:

Do you have to take the front bumper off to install those bolt-plates? I have an '05 and very cool L.O.S.T. member Fulltimer sent me a free set of Tow Hooks that has that type of plate. My bumper is different than yours, but any advice on saving effort on the install would be appreciated.

ps. Fulltimer rocks!

humptyjumped · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2007 8:54 pm

Bolts for rear tow hook are 12mm 1.75 thread if that helps

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2007 9:50 am

Try naval jelly rust dissolver and a bottle brush in those threads it works great, used it when installing my hitch. I hope you bought grade 5 or 8 bolts and not cheap ones.

Tow hook installation issues!!!

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