has anyone installed tow hooks to the front of their dakota? I wanna do some offroading this summer and I would feel a lot more comfortable with some tow hooks up front.

 

A few people have, Hardest part is getting the Body mount bolts they use out.

 

If the bolts are seized in the body mount bushings prepare to do some cutting/grinding to get the original bolts out.

 

If you look at the front of the truck, you'll see that the two extensions from the frame stick out a fair bit. If you don't put a substantial bumper or cross member across there to hold them apart, you could pull those extensions together should you add tow hooks and start pulling on them. This could affect the frame to which those round extensions are attached, your engine mounts, as well as your alignment. You can tie all this together with something like a piece of 3/16 or 1/4" (thick) angle iron (mild steel) - I'd probably use something like3 or 4" (wide) angle and bolt that to the face of those extensions. While you're in the process of making such a cross member, you could enhance the design somewhat and make a winch mount for yourself.

 

Be prepared to replace the body mounts that must be remived. I had a *******ly rust free truck but destroyed the mounts removing them when I installed my tow hooks. They are about $40 each and only available from the dealer.

 

If the bolts don't come out of the body mount nut, just cut the heads off the bolts using an angle grinder and pull the rest out through the top of the mount. The shaft of the bolt is then easier to remove. Once the shaft is removed, drill out any remaining threads with a 1/2" bit and replace the bolt with a 1/2" SAE bolt & nut. For the bolt, use grade 5 minimum - I used grade 8. For the nuts, you can use lock nuts or use 2 nuts on each bolt, one as a jamb nut. I used the 2 nut approach since I couldn't get any hardened lock nuts. Also, you'll most likely need some heavy duty 1/2" fender washers (they're fairly thick, the standard fender washers are quite thin and will cup on you when you pull the nuts tight) top & bottom.

 

They are cake once you get the old bolts out... I did have to persuade the pucks off with a hammer and vice. Good luck! It seems to be a common occurrence