Front tow hooks on a YJ

[geopig]

Hi there,

This may sound pretty stupid, but something is not clicking for me and I need help/advice. I picked up a pair of Reese tow hooks today that I intended to install on the front of my '91 YJ. In terms of the front end, the jeep is totally stock, but I can't figure out exactly how to mount these tow hooks. They have two holes, but the front has no two holes to match.

Do I need to drill into the bumper?

Or do I install them where the bumper attaches with the Torx bolts? I did take off the plastic JEEP cover and noticed that there was another hole in line with the bumper mounting hole.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[L33TJ33P]

you Will have to remove the Plastic. they will mount to the Frame Through the Top mounting holes of the Bumper.

 

[bryanjeep]

I have got a great idea. It is not hard, you just have to do a little thinking for this one. This is a perfect spot for them. I put two on my YJ right here. Everybody tells me that they are a great idea. Yeah, go me, go me!

OK in the front of the YJ on the side frame rail, you will see two holes about 3/4" wide (on each side). This is where you slide the provided bolts through to get them where they need to go. About 2 inches down, drill the holes for the provided bolts.

Now the tricky part. Get some fishing string or whatever and tie it to the end of the bolt (threaded side). Send the string through one of the holes that were already on the Jeep and get it to come through the rear drilled hole.Pull the bolt threaded end out of your new hole and put the tow hook on with the nut but loose. Now do the same for the front hole you drilled. And then tighten the hell out of them. You can get a wrench in the frame to hold the head of the bolt.
Now do the same for the other side.

I know it sounds hard, but you will like it and it will not interfere with aftermarket bumpers. The kind you get from Jeep stores that are made for the Jeep on top of the frame will get in the way of most bumpers.

I will try to get pics if you'd like so that you can better understand the idea...Good luck.

 

[hi_c]

What? I stopped ready that about 30% in. Just bolt them to the factory location. As far as the plastic "Jeep" frame cover, you can either do a cut out to make it fit, or just drill a hole the same diameter of the bolt. I drilled the hole. Then mount the hook to the TOP of each frame rail. You seem to have common sense in knowing that a hook needs 2 bolts securing it to be effective. Do not use with only one bolt.

C

 

[jps4jeep]

AH, Should bolt up, if not you need a different hook. Another option would be to weld them on, this will give you the more "perminent look"

If all else fails, don't get stuck!

 

[Joopin]

I just put tow hooks on the front of my yj (finally) I drilled holes in the frame cover, looks much nicer than taking it off. One thing I would do if i were you is clean those holes under the frame cover out really good... mine were full of junk and I eventually just screwed a tap in to clean out the welded nut all the way down.

 

[88Wrangles]

I wouldn't recommend welding on the tow hooks!! It won't be as strong as bolting it on. As for the location, sorry I can't help.

 

[MerkL]

I just put some on my YJ, and the two hook usually have 3 holes, on YJ's you're only supposed to use the first and last hole. Drilling a hole in the frame cover does look a lot better than taking it completely off.

 

[jps4jeep]

If welded properly, should be stronger than bolting down.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

If welded properly, should be stronger than bolting down.

I'd bet that the welding heat will greatly reduce the strength of the hook. I wouldn't do it or recommend it.

YJ tow hooks bolt to the two threaded holes on the top of each frame rail. The front hole is the bumper mount. The hooks have to have the holes spaced far apart, not like TJ tow hooks or most hooks that come from the parts store. Most common hook from the parts store that fits has 3 holes.

I had cut my frame cover with a dremel tool to fit around each hook.

Here's a pic of my OEM chrome YJ hooks in the OEM location, which now holds my winch plate.

 

[geopig]

Sweet, thanks for all the tips. I'm gonna throw them on the bumper, just need to get that bumper Torx bolt out. Couple days with PB Blaster should do!

 

[bryanjeep]

Ok the reason I told you to do it on the sides was because you made it seem like you got the universal tow hooks and not the Jeep tow hooks which line up to the front mounts. The universal tow hooks like from a local part store will usually not fit and then you would need to figure out your own mounts. There is no need for cocky little smart asses here.

 

[geopig]

No problem, sorry 'bout the initial confusion regarding the hooks! It's all good!

 

[TwistedCU]

Can anybody tell me the distance between the 2 factory bolt holes? I have a set that is too short by the looks of Bounty's pic, and want to make sure I get the right size. I would drill a hole, but if I don't have to, I wont.

By the way, Bounty, that's a BMF winch!

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Roughly 2 7/8" from center of hole to center of hole.

I've seen the shorter hooks used on YJ's. They used the upper bumper mount, and drilled through the tubular frame crossmember for the back bolt. The bolt goes all the way into the tube crossmember where it gets a nut.

 

[geopig]

Roger that, I did indeed get the shorter hooks (Reese). I drilled through no problem, need a slightly longer bolt than what was provided with the hooks. All told about $20 for the hooks and 2 longer bolts and about 20 minutes worth of install time. Would have been nice to have the longer hooks and use the factory frame rail holes but the shorties worked out fine.

 

[TwistedCU]

Snow Fun

Yeah, that's where mine line up and would need to be drilled. I'm going to sell them and buy some that are stock length. I like the idea of having them secure the winch plate. Bounty - is that a plate that you made or did you buy it and just drill holes @ the tow hook mounts?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I made that plate, had help of fellow jeepers as I don't have a welder or plasma cutter. Design is 100% BH 8)