12-17-2009, 09:40 AM
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#1
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Front tow hooks and bull bars
I have a question about bull bars. I know it has been beat to death and don't want to open it all up again. Most sites that sell bull bars say that the front tow hooks have to be removed to install the bull bars. My question is this: Do you grind them off? Chisel them off? Cut them off? Do you relocate them or put others elsewhere? If so, where is a good spot if the stock bumper is still in place (OEM look mostly street driving with light offroading) I know the importance of the tow hooks if one is offroading. I appologize if this is the wrong place to post his and appreciate it being moved to the right spot and the info you offer. Thanks.........Harold
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12-17-2009, 10:05 AM
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#2
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when i had the bull bar on mine (3rd gen) i left the tow hooks on, but just reversed them. if you look underneath you'll see that they are bolted on. Two heavy duty bolts unbolt and you can flip it or leave them off alltogether.
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12-17-2009, 10:10 AM
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#3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdmaccord6
when i had the bull bar on mine (3rd gen) i left the tow hooks on, but just reversed them. if you look underneath you'll see that they are bolted on. Two heavy duty bolts unbolt and you can flip it or leave them off alltogether.
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Wow...interesting never tought about that. Is this possible with the 4th generation also?.
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Last edited by JAC; 12-17-2009 at 10:49 AM.
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12-17-2009, 10:11 AM
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#4
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Bolted on
I'll have to look at the tow hooks again, I thought they were welded on......I have a 2005 Sport V-8........thanks
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12-17-2009, 10:47 AM
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#5
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I did not have to do anything with my tow hooks to install my 2002. That was not even mentioned or an issue. They are still accessible, and I believe they are bolted on.
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12-17-2009, 01:31 PM
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#6
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On a 4th gen it shouldn't be an issue. I guess it depends on what brand of bull bar you get, but mine clears the hooks easy.
Although, once you install a bull bar your hooks are blocked and pretty useless at that point.
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12-17-2009, 01:39 PM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slvr RnR
On a 4th gen it shouldn't be an issue. I guess it depends on what brand of bull bar you get, but mine clears the hooks easy.
Although, once you install a bull bar your hooks are blocked and pretty useless at that point.
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On my third gen, there is a tow hook on the passenger side sort of in line with the headlight, mounted on the outer side of the frame. It is accessible because I have used it two or three times to be pulled out. But that is the only one on there (???).
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12-17-2009, 01:58 PM
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#8
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I ordered a Steelcraft bullbar (black) havent got it yet and wont be getting it til the first week of january. Not sure how it suppose to be mounted but I was just wondering because if I can leave the tow hooks on together with the bullbar that would be great. I have read comments saying that when you need to be towed the bullbar is not strong enough.
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12-17-2009, 02:11 PM
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#9
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The bullbar is not designed for towing attachment. Some of them that are installed by attachment to the frame are probably capable of withstanding hooking up to for a light pull, but I would only suggest that as a last resort.
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02 Limited 4wd: Procomp MT's, Black Cragar Soft 8 wheels, 1.5 body lift, OME 891 rear coils, BudBuilt skid plate, 1" diff drop, custom made bumper, sliders, Rancho Quiklift system front and RS9000XL's rear, EBC pads and rotors, KC SlimLites, Smittybilt XRC8, 1.5 wheel spacers, SONY XPLOD double din cd/receiver with 280 watt spkrs.
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12-17-2009, 02:33 PM
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#10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manhunter
The bullbar is not designed for towing attachment. Some of them that are installed by attachment to the frame are probably capable of withstanding hooking up to for a light pull, but I would only suggest that as a last resort.
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Exactly!...thats why I am asking if there is anyway to keep the tow hooks on, along with the bull bar. Because most of the bullbars require the removal of the tow hooks in order to install.
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12-17-2009, 03:06 PM
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#11
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No, the bull bar shouldn't be used for any towing. I wouldn't even consider it as a last resort. It would immediatly start to bend and eventually (with enough force) snap off at the mounting points.
Honestly, I can't think of any bull bars that require the relocation of the tow hooks on a 4th gen 4runner. They just end up directly behind the bull bar and cannot be reached. Or I could be COMPLETELY wrong, which is usually the case.
Although, I think the steelcraft bull bar comes with a removeable skid plate. With the skid plate removed you may be able to use the tow hooks, but I can't say for sure. I guess it all depends on the mounting points.
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12-17-2009, 03:38 PM
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#12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slvr RnR
Although, I think the steelcraft bull bar comes with a removeable skid plate. With the skid plate removed you may be able to use the tow hooks, but I can't say for sure. I guess it all depends on the mounting points.
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Correct!...the steelcraft bull bar comes with a removable skid. And they say it connects in 4 different places.
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12-17-2009, 03:51 PM
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#13
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The WAAG grill guard, which incorporates a bull bar as the middle section mounts around the tow hooks. Below is from their web-site.
"Existing tow hooks
WAAG: Hooks are retained with most WAAG grille guard applications*.
Brand X: Competitive brands often require discarding tow hooks, therefore denying the vehicle an added feature, both visually and functionally.
* Except 96-99 Nissan Pathfinder, 88-02 Jeep Cherokee. "
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02 Limited 4wd: Procomp MT's, Black Cragar Soft 8 wheels, 1.5 body lift, OME 891 rear coils, BudBuilt skid plate, 1" diff drop, custom made bumper, sliders, Rancho Quiklift system front and RS9000XL's rear, EBC pads and rotors, KC SlimLites, Smittybilt XRC8, 1.5 wheel spacers, SONY XPLOD double din cd/receiver with 280 watt spkrs.
"There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those that have hunted armed men long enough, never care to do anything else." Ernest Hemingway
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12-17-2009, 03:57 PM
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#14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manhunter
The WAAG grill guard, which incorporates a bull bar as the middle section mounts around the tow hooks. Below is from their web-site.
"Existing tow hooks
WAAG: Hooks are retained with most WAAG grille guard applications*.
Brand X: Competitive brands often require discarding tow hooks, therefore denying the vehicle an added feature, both visually and functionally.
* Except 96-99 Nissan Pathfinder, 88-02 Jeep Cherokee. "
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Bump ....
Of course I realize that the steelcraft style bull bar is different from what I am talking about regarding the WAAG. The WAAG comes in separate pieces so you can get the middle section by itself if you just want it to use as a bull bar. Just wanted to explain where I was coming from.
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02 Limited 4wd: Procomp MT's, Black Cragar Soft 8 wheels, 1.5 body lift, OME 891 rear coils, BudBuilt skid plate, 1" diff drop, custom made bumper, sliders, Rancho Quiklift system front and RS9000XL's rear, EBC pads and rotors, KC SlimLites, Smittybilt XRC8, 1.5 wheel spacers, SONY XPLOD double din cd/receiver with 280 watt spkrs.
"There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those that have hunted armed men long enough, never care to do anything else." Ernest Hemingway
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12-17-2009, 04:02 PM
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#15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manhunter
Bump ....
Of course I realize that the steelcraft style bull bar is different from what I am talking about regarding the WAAG. The WAAG comes in separate pieces so you can get the middle section by itself if you just want it to use as a bull bar. Just wanted to explain where I was coming from.
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Gotcha!...
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