Tow Hooks

[Chux01Cherokee]

Hi all,

Maybe a fellow Jeeper can help a frustrated XJ owner. I am dying to attend my first Jamboree, and have an issue regarding the installation of front tow hooks. I have a Manik brush guard on the front of my XJ and as all of you know it gets mounted to the frame. The problem is since Jamborees require front tow hooks, I dont know how, where or if I can mount some hooks to the front of my Jeep in addition to the brush guard--and make sure that in the event I need to use them they wont damage the frame in any way. I would assume that they mount in the same place but if any of you have ideas I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Its a Jeep thing......

Chuck

PS: if anyone needs to see a pic of my XJ it is on the Jeep Cherokee Club (on MSN)--in the photos section--"my pride and joy"

 

[Island XJ]

After looking at the pics, i would think you could mount them on the sides of the large vertical brackets that attach to your frame. Are the brackets strong enough to be pull points? How thick are they? If they are thick enough, you could drill holes through the side of each one and mount a towhook on each with a couple of grade 8 bolts on each.

 

[RichP]

Sell the manic brush guard and buy a Custom4x4 or Tomken front bumper. Other than that you could put a 2" front receiver hitch under there and a shackle insert, same with the rear, tomken bumper with 2" receiver or just a 2" receiver.
Unless you luck out and find a factory rear tow hook bracket....I don't know if the dealers still have them. You will also need a nutcert plate or two for the back.

 

[sbxj]

It can be done. I had a Manik Brushguard on a 93 Jeep and installed a set of Rusty's tow hooks side by side. You only need to get some longer grade 8 bolts. I don't think it's a good idea to attach tow hooks directly to your brushguard without more reinforcement.

 

[dogtired]

I really considered installing tow hooks for my jeep for a front recovery point, but I ended up doing this to my jeep... installing a FRONT HITCH!!! :viking:

positives:
1. recovery angle from mild to severe, it spreads the load on both rails on a total of eight points where it is bolted at, unlike a tow hook (I think 4-5 bolts for each tow hook)which can get ripped off the XJ frame if the towing angle is severe enuff, especially if using only one hook
2. two loops built in addition to the front hitch, total of three recovery points especially when you get a hidden hitch
3. the front hitch can do many additional duties like: it can carry a portable winch, a fishing rod holder, a spare tire carrier, a bike rack, ready to being towed behind an RV and etc...
4. sorta acts like a strut tower brace on a mustang (mustangs are unibodies too at least the 80's and early 90's are), that actually ties the frame rails together and stiffens the chassis, especially good when used in conjunction with a rear tow hitch
5. it depends how you look at it... spending a few bucks more for a front hitch... I got mine for about 95 dollars, versus about 80 bucks for tow hooks, I think it is a great deal for a front hitch, especially considering how versatile it is!
6. this is kinda stretching it but it also acts as a secondary bumper for the lower part of your jeep

negatives:
1. slightly front heavy
2. after installing said front hitch, the XJ looks like it has a peepee in front :laugh3:
3. must punch a hole through the plastic front air dam so the hitch can stick out or you can rip the dam out altogether
4. must take out the front bumper and may have to slightly modify the holes on the hidden hitch with a big @ss drill (mine didn't line up to well - 2000 XJ)

so there you have it... the positives outweigh the negatives, the negatives are very minor in comparison are the slight cosmetic issues (who cares about cosmetics - it is a freakin Jeep) :jester: , a small weight factor and a little elbow grease to take care of the hole alignment issue

 

[sbxj]

I really considered installing tow hooks for my jeep for a front recovery point, but I ended up doing this to my jeep... installing a FRONT HITCH!!! :viking:

positives:
1. recovery angle from mild to severe, it spreads the load on both rails on a total of eight points where it is bolted at, unlike a tow hook (I think 4-5 bolts for each tow hook)which can get ripped off the XJ frame if the towing angle is severe enuff, especially if using only one hook
2. two loops built in addition to the front hitch, total of three recovery points especially when you get a hidden hitch
3. the front hitch can do many additional duties like: it can carry a portable winch, a fishing rod holder, a spare tire carrier, a bike rack, ready to being towed behind an RV and etc...
4. sorta acts like a strut tower brace on a mustang (mustangs are unibodies too at least the 80's and early 90's are), that actually ties the frame rails together and stiffens the chassis, especially good when used in conjunction with a rear tow hitch
5. it depends how you look at it... spending a few bucks more for a front hitch... I got mine for about 95 dollars, versus about 80 bucks for tow hooks, I think it is a great deal for a front hitch, especially considering how versatile it is!
6. this is kinda stretching it but it also acts as a secondary bumper for the lower part of your jeep

negatives:
1. slightly front heavy
2. after installing said front hitch, the XJ looks like it has a peepee in front :laugh3:
3. must punch a hole through the plastic front air dam so the hitch can stick out or you can rip the dam out altogether
4. must take out the front bumper and may have to slightly modify the holes on the hidden hitch with a big @ss drill (mine didn't line up to well - 2000 XJ)

so there you have it... the positives outweigh the negatives, the negatives are very minor in comparison are the slight cosmetic issues (who cares about cosmetics - it is a freakin Jeep) :jester: , a small weight factor and a little elbow grease to take care of the hole alignment issue

How about some pictures...please :wave:

 

[dogtired]

How about some pictures...please :wave:

your wish is my command, this site tells how to install and also lists good and bad on a front hitch:
http://www.jeep-tech-tips.com/front-hitch-install.html (installation article)
http://www.jeep-tech-tips.com/jeep-tow-hooks.html (front hitch versus tow hooks)

as you can see in the articles, the negatives are very minor, and the benefits are fantastic! arty:

correction: I have a draw-tite installed on mine, better clearance than a hidden hitch, take a good look at the yellow XJ with a draw-tite front hitch installed, that is what it looks like for mine, but picture mine in a black color :viking:

some samples on what a front hitch and rear hitch can do, the possibilites are endless:
http://www.tonnocover.com/products/snowsport_mounts.php (snow plow baby)
http://www.hitchesonline.com/front_end/jeep_front_end.htm (winch)
http://www.etrailer.com/y-50.aspx (different adapters: bike rack, tire rack, license plate, a step, and etc...see? the possibilites are endless!!!)
http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/FrontHitch/on_beach1.jpg (great for FISHING) WOOHOO!!!! atriot: