Front Tow Hooks

[bighammer]

I'd like to add a set of tow hooks up front. Just wondering what others have come up with. (this place is FULL of good ideas!)



Thanks

 

[illflem]

I just copied the brackets from a friends truck and made them myself, couldn't see paying $100+ for $15 worth of steel. As for the hooks themselves, they are less than $15 each most anywhere, even from DC.

 

[John]

Well, I purchased a set of the Mopar tow hooks from my Dodge dealer, and if that wasn't punishment enough, I had the complete kit powder coated gloss black to match my black Sport.

 

[Wcr25]

Originally posted by John

Well, I purchased a set of the Mopar tow hooks from my Dodge dealer, and if that wasn't punishment enough, I had the complete kit powder coated gloss black to match my black Sport.

John,



I was under the impression that you could not add front tow hooks to the sport package without some serious mods to the front fascia. I had a 1995 Black Sport and now the 2001. 5 Black Sport. How did you do it? Black Sports look wicked (when they're clean! ).



Thanks,



Todd

 

[bighammer]

I haven't looked at how or where DC intends for them to be mounted.



I have some rubber tractor lights (with aircraft landing lights in 'em ) mounted below the bumper on the frame rails. Maybe I should move them up into the bumber openings and put the hooks there. The lights are kind of vulnerable there, but mounting them was easy. (They are cheap too)



Maybe a stop at the dealer will give me some mounting ideas.

 

[BV]

I went with a front mount receiver hitch which has tow loops at each end plus with the 2" receiver you can add a tow hook, clevis, snatch block, winch, bike carrier or a ball mount to park a trailer in tight spots.



The bad part is #3 on the footnotes:

FOOTNOTES

1. Uses all existing attachment holes no drilling required.

2. Rubber Air Deflector/Fascia MUST be Removed or Trimmed to Install Hitch.

3. Extensive Fascia Trimming Required on Sport Models.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hey BV



Where did you get the front hitch from?

How much?

What brand?

Thanks!

Dan

 

[Cariboo]

My Draw-Tite front receiver was about $150 and took half an hour to install. No drilling required; you only have to temporarily unfasten the torsion bar mounts so that the receiver can fit between them and the frame. I had to take off the air dam and raise the license plate, but I think it looks better that way anyhow. I have a stinger with a large shackle for a hook (as well as the two hooks on the receiver), and can carry my 8274 on a portable mount with it as well. It's one of the more useful additions to my truck.

 

[Thomas]

DrawTite receiver number 65003 was a no-drill install on my model year 2000 4X4 Ram. The install requires the replacement of the existing sway bar bolts with longer bolts and the cutting of a hole in the air dam under the front license plate. I didn't have to relocate anything. It takes a bit of looking to notice the business end of the receiver as it is up against and behind the front license plate holder.



It is rated at 9000 pounds maximum pull and 500 pounds cargo capacity. I use the receiver for spotting my travel trailer with a tongue weight of 700+ pounds.

 

[johnrv4]

J. C. Whitney sells Hidden Hitch brand class III front-mount receivers for our trucks for $99. 95. Depending on the catalog you get, you can usually get either free shipping or 10% off ( I have two currrent catalogs that have these offers). The only notation is that you have to trim a square hole in the airdam for the receiver hole.

 

[jgil104]

Originally posted by johnrv4

J. C. Whitney sells Hidden Hitch brand class III front-mount receivers for our trucks for $99. 95. Depending on the catalog you get, you can usually get either free shipping or 10% off ( I have two currrent catalogs that have these offers). The only notation is that you have to trim a square hole in the airdam for the receiver hole.

ditto that on a 01. 5 3500 2/wd went in ez and only minor triming req.

 

[GFoley]

I also found the Draw Tite model to be about $150. In the end I decided to mount a Warn Trans4mer with a 2" receiver set up in it. Looks good and provides another nice foot step when working up front. I am disappointed in Warn for not locating the cross pin hole in a slightly different location. I'll have to have about 3/16" off each drawbar I decide to mount up front, even the Rhode Gear (?) bike rack. If you want more details send me a message and I'll elaborate. I still haven't finished my letter to them even though Customer Service rep was understanding.



Glenn

 

[Archive]

Hey Todd,



I have a 2000 Sport that I put the Mopar tow hooks on. Cutting the plastic airdam was much easier than I first thought.



I placed masking tape over the outside area that need cutting. There were convenient lines already marked on the inside of the airdam. I just used a jig saw and made the cut following those lines. It helps if you have someone who can pull the airdam out a bit while you are doing the cut.



To clean everything up, I sliced some plastic sprinker tubing (1/4" , 3/16" something like that) lengthwise and placed the tubing over the cut plastic. I have since hot-glued the tubing on since it kept coming off when I washed the truck.



Using the tubing gave it a very nice finishing touch and covered up one or two minor blemishes (read mistakes).



HTH... ... . Hal

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Good info on Mopar Tow hooks (the best) from Dave fritzs' web site:



http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/4x4/tow_hook/tow_hooks.htm





#ad

 

[David Muench]

I put a drawtite 65003 hitch on the front of mine. It has tow loops too, and was cheaper than the mopar hooks. I'd be willing to bet it's stronger as well. And moving my trailers around the yard is a breeze with the front hitch. Mine was $106 plus $10 shipping from www.miley.com.



http://www.miley.com/frontmounted.htm



BTW, expect on putting a new coat of paint on it when you get it. Drawtite just slaps a UPS label directly on the hitch and ships it with no box. I got the labels off mine (including the drawtite one) and painted it with some black hammerite. Looks like a million bucks.

 

[bighammer]

Thanks everybody. I'll check some prices and get something going. I have other mods that have become a higher priority.