Empty holes?

[kowski49]

For whatever reason (anonymity) I'm totally fine showcasing my ignorance on this forum...
I had the hood up today, looking for a suitable place to anchor a loop of strap to use as a bow tie down for my kayak and I spot these empty threaded holes.

Shot from the passenger side. The engine air filter is out of frame but immediately to the right.

Now, I'm no T4R engineer but it sure looks like there should be some bolts in there. That being said, I'm sure it's normal but just wanted to check with you guys. Anyone know these holes and their purpose?
Jokes/comments re: "filling holes" are welcome.

 

[sandcrawler]

there are a number of unoccupied, threaded holes which are normal. 1 or 2 are used to secure a tree-style cable tie mount for the TRD intake, iirc.

you should really be looking under the bumper—not the hood—for an anchor point for your kayak, though.

 

[cbielat]

Yeah, why would you be using the engine bay to tie down the kayaks? Here's how I secured mine.

 

[kowski49]

there are a number of unoccupied, threaded holes which are normal. 1 or 2 are used to secure a tree-style cable tie mount for the TRD intake, iirc.

you should really be looking under the bumper—not the hood—for an anchor point for your kayak, though.

Cool, thanks for the input.
Yeah, I've been using the recovery points up front for the last couple of years, but I'm starting to notice scratches in the paint; even with the protective plastic sleeve that fits over the strap. I'm either going to,
A: buy the aeroskin hood deflector and continue to anchor the bow up front hoping the strap will then rub the deflector and not my paint. Or,
B: mount a couple of strap loops under the hood for bow tie down. From the pictures I've seen the loops would only rub on the edge of the hood. I could just use a small strip of 3M tape to protect that area. I also like this option because I think it'll get that strap out of my main field of vision.
This isn't the best shot, but you get the idea:

 

[cbielat]

Cool, thanks for the input.
Yeah, I've been using the recovery points up front for the last couple of years, but I'm starting to notice scratches in the paint; even with the protective plastic sleeve that fits over the strap. I'm either going to,
A: buy the aeroskin hood deflector and continue to anchor the bow up front hoping the strap will then rub the deflector and not my paint. Or,
B: mount a couple of strap loops under the hood for bow tie down. From the pictures I've seen the loops would only rub on the edge of the hood. I could just use a small strip of 3M tape to protect that area. I also like this option because I think it'll get that strap out of my main field of vision.
This isn't the best shot, but you get the idea:

View attachment 86655

I actually do have the 3M film over my full bumper/grill and headlights. The rear straps I had hooked onto my rear hitch loops. Pretty solid.

Seeing the straps coming from under the hood is the first time that I have seen this I believe. Hey, whatever works!

 

[Stifler]

Not what I was expecting with that thread title!ound:

 

[Antman]

Not what I was expecting with that thread title!ound:

You definitely didn't get the "Belladonna Edition" T4R or all those holes would be filled for sure. :girl:

Yeah I said it. If you don't get it Google it, but don't blame me if you get in trouble.

 

[kowski49]

You definitely didn't get the "Belladonna Edition" T4R or all those holes would be filled for sure. :girl:

Yeah I said it. If you don't get it Google it, but don't blame me if you get in trouble.

Nice!
For those of you wondering, yes, it's that Belladonna. Starring in quality films such as, Weapons of Ass Destruction, Dark Meat, & My Ass is Haunted .
Well played Antman.

 

[Reata]

This is a family forum.....

 

[desertred]

Do you find that you need the front tie downs on those kayaks as short as they appear to be in the pictures? Those racks look pretty supportive. What affect does the wind have on them without the tie downs? I ask out of curiosity as an outrigger guy that doesn't use tie downs (but have a couple extra crossbars to support the 21 foot lengths of my canoes).

 

[Quentin]

I've been thinking about welding two threaded inserts behind my radiator grille so I could thread in what are basically tow hooks (like a low sports car would have that threads into the bumper) and tie the canoe off that. It would make a nice gap between the hood and the rope but still be secure.

 

[KidVermicious]

This is a family forum.....

Used to be, anyway. I think it's been defiled now.

 

[KidVermicious]

Do you find that you need the front tie downs on those kayaks as short as they appear to be in the pictures? Those racks look pretty supportive. What affect does the wind have on them without the tie downs? I ask out of curiosity as an outrigger guy that doesn't use tie downs (but have a couple extra crossbars to support the 21 foot lengths of my canoes).

I dunno about the kayaks, but when I'm carrying my canoe I wouldn't think of hitting the freeway without a bowstrap and two bellystraps. Just two bellystraps or a bow strap and bellystrap are not enough - all it takes is one of them to fail and the consquences would be disastrous. Why screw around? It takes an extra 2 minutes to rig that third strap.

 

[kowski49]

Do you find that you need the front tie downs on those kayaks as short as they appear to be in the pictures? Those racks look pretty supportive. What affect does the wind have on them without the tie downs? I ask out of curiosity as an outrigger guy that doesn't use tie downs (but have a couple extra crossbars to support the 21 foot lengths of my canoes).

I pulled the pic off the web but yeah, I don't go anywhere without 2 belly straps and the bow tied down. Most of my put ins are < 10 miles travelled on city streets. If I'm going to drive over 50mph I tie the stern down as well. It seems like the wind always blows at least 15-20mph here in Dallas so it's definitely worth the extra 5 minutes.