Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

So I have been trying to get these done, and the pics posted for a while. Most people find the factory tow hooks on the Ram's inadaquate, so I decided to make my own. I don't know how many of you have made your own hooks, but here's a link to mine and they seem to work very well. I used them twice bewteen christmas and new years. Once you look at the pics, you'll see that I have to use a shackle (D-Ring) with them. There are some other pics there too, of my flag mount for when I go to the dunes. Anyway, hope you guys like them. My next project is some heavy duty skid plates, because my truck didn't come with any. Later!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/motorh...2000/my_photos

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

Just curious, did you have to do any modifications to install your front receiver hitch? By the way the tow hooks look great.

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

where did you get that front reciever or did you make it?

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

Can you tell me how to do front tow hooks? Also how are you going to skid plates?

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

First off, I made the front reciever hitch. I started to make it thinking that I would use it as my tow hook, then I came up with the idea for the ones in the factory location. Now I am just going to use the hitch for the flag mount until I plan on mounting a winch, then I'll remove it.

The front reciever hitch was easy to make. I bought some 1/4" inch plating, cut into squares (6"x6" or 5"x5"... can't remember exactly). Then, I welded a piece of 1/4" steel tubing (2"x2") to the front receiver. I bought the reciever tube the way it is. The store I got it from sold them in different lengths for such a project. After welding the 2 pieces of tubing into a "T" I then aligned the "T" between the square plating that I bolted to the frame, using the stock bumper bolts. For the final touches, whenever I get around to it, I'm going to use some 2"x2", 1/4" angle iron to gusset the "T" for strength. I'll take a few more pics, and post them on that link above.

The Tow hooks were easy. I bought 2 chunks of steel, (8"x4"x3"), cut them so that the thickness against the frame was 1" thick, and the thickness between the eyes of the shackle (D-Ring) is also 1". After I made the rough cuts and it looked like a "T" (as you can see in the pics in the link) I then clamped it into place on the truck, and marked where the stock bolt holes were. As you can see that I only have 2, grade 8 bolts in for now. Thats because I need to go back and trim some washers down, so that they do not over lap each other. The stock bolt holes are so close together that the washers will be on top on each other.

The next project is skid plates. I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do yet. I'm thinking about using 1/8" steel plating, and some 1" tubing for framing. I'd like to cover up and protect as much of the drive as possible. I was looking at a new 06 power wagon my stepdad had home, and I'm not sold on the idea of the brackets they are using. I wouild like to keep the attaching bolts as flush to the frame as possible. But I'll post some pics whenever I get the drive to get those done.

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

Those are some seriously beefy hooks. I agree with you that you'll need more than the one bolt...those things look like they'd tow a train.

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

Tough enough to handle any job. Are you thinking about painting (or get them sprayed with bed liner spray) them? They looking good they way they are, was just curious.

RE: Tow's Hooks finally completed!
 

actually now that you ask, I did pay extra attention to that topic, rather than just using a rattle can and painting them. I don't know how many of you are familiar with 'POR-15'. But thats what I used. This stuff is the toughest paint I've ever seen. The only problem I've noticed since I installed them, is that the sharp edges/corners of the hooks did not cover well. I can start to see very little rust forming on the edges. Oh well, I'll just go back and touch then up.