Aftermarket tow hooks

[Blakers]

Are there any good aftermarket tow hooks for the front bumper of an 03 RAM? For some reason my truck did not come with any tow hooks, so I bought a set from Dodge, but I haven't put them on yet. I've heard bad things about the OEM ones in that they are hard to hook to. I was told to check for aftermarket ones that may be better.



I'm putting my truck to work well tending gas wells, so it needs to be able to go through deep mud and snow, and be retrievable if it can't make it.

 

[SierraRam]

I would stick with the OEM, I have never had an issue with hooking a strap to them.

 

[Blakers]

Can you get a chain through them? When you use a strap, do you hook it around that thing in the middle?

 

[Blakers]

Has anyone installed their own (from Dodge) tow hooks? The instructions say the bumper needs to be removed. Any installation suggestions?

 

[RMachida]

Has anyone installed their own (from Dodge) tow hooks? The instructions say the bumper needs to be removed. Any installation suggestions?

Yes, it's been a while but I do remember removing the bumper.

 

[bheiting]

Check your local junk yards and get the Mopars for half price.

 

[AHofner]

You can do it with out taking the bumper off if you have patience and skinny hands. I have put a set on my truck and taken them back off without removing the bumper.

 

[Blakers]

Thanks. I assume you would just loosen everything up as if you were going to remove the bumper, but then just work on one side at a time getting the new brackets in there so the hook can be installed.

 

[RPosey]

If you get them from e-bay, make sure all the parts are there. There are additional brackets that go with them, hooks alone don't get it.

 

[Blakers]

If you get them from e-bay, make sure all the parts are there. There are additional brackets that go with them, hooks alone don't get it.

No, I bought them from the Dodge dealer about four years ago and never put them on.

 

[Bochuck]

Can you get a chain through them? When you use a strap, do you hook it around that thing in the middle?

Hi Blakers,

I have the OEM hooks on mine. They're very similar to a tow hook on a boat. I loop the strap around the outer sides then back around the middle nub with no problems. I've also used chains on them as well when pulling out bushes. I never had an issue with them holding. Aftermarket hooks of varying styles may work a little better, but the OEMs work just fine and they look nice and clean sticking through the bumper.

Bob

 

[KSears]

I took mine off when I installed a grill guard, I didn't have to loosen or remove the bumper, just takes some patience, I saved them for reinstall down the road, should go back on the same way without removing anything. They are probably more stout than most aftermarket ones

 

[rbattelle]

I've found I can't get the end of my tow strap into the OEM hooks because there's not enough clearance with the bumper.

Ryan

 

[Blakers]

I've found I can't get the end of my tow strap into the OEM hooks because there's not enough clearance with the bumper.



Ryan

My cousin has them on his truck and he hates them. Says he can't get a chain through them.



I wonder if it would pay to weld an extension on them before installing them on mine?

 

[mwilson]

They are tight but work very well. I push the loop up from underneath and then pull the loop forward over the center pin. If it wasn't 2 degrees here I would show you... .

 

[rbattelle]

I wonder if it would pay to weld an extension on them before installing them on mine?

Maybe, except I'd say there's no need to weld it. Just put a thick shim behind it. Maybe 1" steel plate would work, although you'll need to check other clearances with the bumper.



MWilson's photos capture the problem nicely.



Ryan

 

[Blakers]

Maybe, except I'd say there's no need to weld it. Just put a thick shim behind it. Maybe 1" steel plate would work, although you'll need to check other clearances with the bumper.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan... that's a good idea about the shims.

 

[mwilson]

There may be room for a shim, but there is one lower bolt that is tight to the bumper as it is. If you can loosen and slide just the bumper ahead to get the shim in and tightened, then slide the bumper back against the bolt head you may get away with it. Looks to me like a 1/2" spacer will work, 1" may be too tight.

 

[Blakers]

Yeah... have to see how tight it is up there. Might be easier to just weld a chain hook on each side of those Dodge rings. That way a chain could be hooked on the hooks, or a strap could be put through the center.

 

[Blakers]

Tow hooks installed

I finally got a day to work on the truck with my cousin. While he worked on front wheel bearings and u-joints, I worked on installing the new tow hooks.



I had ordered the OEM hooks several years ago, but never installed them. With the clearance issues of these hooks, plus the fact that they most certainly will be used on a regular basis, I decided to weld chain hooks on the side of each hook. I used American-made forged 3/8" hooks.



Installation went pretty good. I did not need to take the bumper off, but I needed to take the bolts out of the intercooler and pry it forward a fraction of an inch to clear the two bolts that go through the front of the frame.



At first look, it appears that the tow hooks could just be bolted in place, but for strength, you must use the provided brackets and install them next the existing bumper brackets. I did one side at a time and used Vise Grips to keep the bumper from moving while I did the other work. It was kinda tedious, and I needed to use about a half dozen different end wrenches and sockets to work in the tight places, but it all worked out.



Blake