3rd gen rear tow hooks w/broken bolts removal?

[hawkcharmer]

I have an 99 SR5 that came with the two tow hooks in the rear instead of tow hitch. I'm in the process of removing the tow hooks so i could install a factory tow hitch. I have had luck removing 2 of the M12 bolts from the frame and the other two cracked off!
Question is.... Are there nuts welded onto a plate inside the frame for the tow hooks? I know this is how the tow hitches are installed from factory.
If so, that means the nuts are in there rusted out with two of my broken bolts screwed in them and I cant install hitch until these are removed.
Any suggestions on removing these broken threads/nuts/plates???

Thanks guys!

 

[thor999]

That was the case with my '01, real PITA to remove... I drilled 'em out but took forever!

 

[hawkcharmer]

Is there just a rusty nut inside the frame or is the nut welded to the actual frame or is it welded to a steel plate inside the frame?

Thanks

 

[rjaudi]

The tow hook nuts are welded to the frame. 2 of mine snapped off and the bolts weren't even the originals. I had replaced them with OEM bolts a few years prior when I removed the hitch. Anyway if there is some of the bolt left sticking out you may have some luck if you can get a welder to weld a nut onto the end of the bolt.

 

[rideexileex]

The rear-most two bolts for the factory hitch go into tack-welded nuts on the frame. The two bolts in front of those go into the frame rail inserts

 

[hawkcharmer]

Damn!
It looks like I'll have to try to be very careful when drilling these broken bolts out without destroying the existing nuts that are welded in there.

Thanks guys

 

[Qyota]

If you do damage 'em...tap 'em!

 

[Qyota]

Update - I replaced my OEM hitch today. Mostly went well, but I came armed with an arsenal of tools. Big-time IR impact, PB blaster, MAPP gas, and SawzAll! Those bolts didn't stand a chance. Actually, all but 2 came out with little trouble. However, 2 others weren't so friendly. Lucky for me, they were the ones attached the the insert on the passenger side.

Check out what my impact gun did to the insert inside the frame rail! I love that thing. That's why I ended up having to cut that last bolt off. The twisted up insert was just rotating inside the frame rail when I turned the bolt.

Everything came off though, and the new Curt hitch is on. Looks much better!