Hey all,

I don't currently have access to a second gen to measure, but I have a 1996 1500 4WD with a blown trans that I need to tow out of a parking garage. I'm planning to get a tow bar (probably a 10klb Blue Ox) but need to pre-fab some receiver plates to fit on the front frame. This won't be anything fancy, I'll just be cutting up some old scrap steel plate with some provisions to attach the Blue Ox.

My question: Can anyone measure the bolt pattern used for the factory tow hooks? Attached are some pics of some aftermarket units I've seen fabricated online, this would make a great boltable tie-in point for my custom Blue Ox receivers. It looks like there's two bolts on the frame rail and two on the front cross member? I plan to oversize the holes a bit, but I'd rather not need to bring my welder to the parking garage...

Thanks,
Alex

 

Here's a set you may want to consider purchasing - https://www.ebay.com/itm/306020536383

 

Thanks for the link, but that's crazy expensive for something I'm only going to use once especially since I have the steel and ability to fabricate my own.

Alex

 

Why not just rent a tow dolly?

 

I'm looking for a one way rental, to the best of my knowledge/research I can't seem to find a company that will rent me something heavy duty enough for a 4WD 1500 and allow one way return. I was originally considering a U-Haul dolly but that seems like it would be pushing it. I'll be hauling it with my 3500 dually, I'll have plenty of truck and if I absolutely have to rent something that doesn't allow one way I'd probably just get a tandem axle hauler, although that would add a ton of wasted time and money. Pre-fabing some brackets that bolt on to the 1500 front frame and attaching it to a tow bar seems like the path of least resistance, I can get a 10klb Blue Ox on marketplace for under $200 and I already have the steel for making brackets, I just need to know the bolt pattern so I don't have to fabricate anything on-site in the parking garage.

 

Tow hooks were pretty rare on these trucks, I think the only one that came with 'em stock, was the 'off road' edition 1500's. However, they were a bolt on addition for all of 'em..... No modification necessary. You *should*..... be able to measure the whole spacing on any second gen ram, to get the measurements you need..... Either that, or do a 'best guess', and make the holes slots, so you got some wiggle room. I'll go out and look at my frame in a bit here, and see if those holes are there, or not.... see if I can't get some measurements.

 

Had a quick look.... Forgot those were two-pieces.... Bracket, and hook. Gimme a bit, and I will have another look. (due to health reasons, crawling under the truck is a real exercise for me.... )

 

Thank you! It's the bracket bolt pattern that I'm really interested in, the hooks just attach to the bracket and I won't be using them.

Alex

 

How many of the bolt holes do you need?

 

Just two on the frame and two on the cross member (perpendicular) would be more than enough. It looks like the two on the frame require a notch to clear some metal, possibly the bumper bracket?

Alex