If your looking for a cheaper option for materials try looking around some welding shops. Most will have tons of scraps/left overs (they don't like calling them scraps due to they think you want it free) and you pay a cheap price for it. I bought a nice 3/16 sheet plate 3x4' or something like that for $13. Also try machine shops and some metal supply shops will cut the size you need so you don't have to pay for a full sheet. Also try your local www.craigslist.org site. Heck if you have some of those metal sculptures in your area most likely the sculpture has a good stock pile.

 

the sheet of plate steel is for the skid plate, and we are figuring 8-9 out of each plate. as soon as it isn't labor day holiday i can find out better prices. have to wait and see what my guy comes up with to figure just material cost for the hook mounts.

 

I realize this thread has died, but I can't find where a newer thread talks about strengthening the front end. I was just going to buy these:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/pro-comp-un...=c2376d412u0j1

Mount them on the side of the frame just forward of the tire for clearance when fully turned. I hadn't given thought to the requirement to make sure the front end was tied together.

I will keep searching threads in case this one remains dead.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

I want one!

 

Because dodge doesn't make tow hooks I fabbed up my own. There's a bunch of pics on my profile page.

 

I took a look at the pics of your hooks and I like those...I like them a lot. They allow for the guard that you have on the front, which is something that I plan on doing to my truck.
Did you fab them yourself or have someone do it for you?

 

I made them myself, work at a fab shop. Used 3/8 t-1 steel for the strength and grade 8 fine thread bolts. Pretty sure they won't break or crack lol. Had to notch the bumper to get them in but its only plastic with no structural strength. Best of all was the price , $0 , including the powder coating. Perks of working at a shop...

 

it isn't that it died. i had twins born and currently my money is tied up in formula and **** ton of diapers. it isn't exactly a cost effective way to get tow hooks but if you want it to look minimally invasive and as stock as possible it will cost. i should be back on this soon actually.

 

Congratulations on the twins!

BC, your custom made do look good. Could you put a price on some if your boss would allow? Could you incorporate the locking spring to keep the rope in the ring?

PIA, I know... we all may just want something a little different. See if he'd mind and what price you'd want.

Thanks,
Robb

 

I can make more hooks from the crop that's left from the original sheet of steel we burn. Keep in mind their fairly heavy, about 6lbs a piece. My boss may not like if I started mass produceing tow hooks without cutting him in on the profits lol. I also had to weld in a plate in the end of the frame horns to box out the frame and for somewhere to mount the hooks. So it requires some welding and drilling to mount them.