Front tow hooks and bull bars

Harold1950

Harold1950

New member
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
 
Register to hide this ad
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.
 
jdmaccord6 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Wow...interesting never tought about that. Is this possible with the 4th generation also?.
 
Last edited:
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
Slvr RnR said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 (???).
 
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.
 
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.
 
manhunter said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
Slvr RnR said:
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.
Click to expand...

Correct!...the steelcraft bull bar comes with a removable skid. And they say it connects in 4 different places.
 
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. "
 
manhunter said:
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. "
Click to expand...

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.
 
manhunter said:
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.
Click to expand...


Gotcha!...
 
Not sure how much this will help...

But the brackets for the Westin have a "dog ear" and when installed this rests on the tow hooks. This provides a little bit better stability for the bull bar.

I didn't have to remove the tow hooks though they are pretty much unusable with the bullbar in place. I don't think you even could remove them if you wanted to.
 
Not sure which bullbar others in this thread are using or going to use. The Strona and T&H bullbars don't require removal or modification to the front tow/tie-down loops. Those loops are welded onto the frame.

If you look at the sides of where the loops are located, there is a threaded hole and a non threaded hole above it. The Strona and T&H bullbars utilizes these holes for the lower attachment brackets. It is very similar to how the OEM accessory skid plate mounts.
 
Hey guys I appreciate the input....I am looking at the SS (#Wt-509) Hunter bull bar sold by Truck Gear Direct on Ebay Motors (parts & accessories) it shows it on what appears to be a Tacoma and looks like it mounts on the side of the frame but states the hooks have to be removed. I am just putting them on for looks not function but hate to lose the tow hooks.
 
jdmaccord6 said:
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.
Click to expand...


Hey im installing my brush guard and i ran across your post, i have a 3rd gen and the tow hooks need to be taken out before i can attach the brush guard. However, i do not have that L shaped bracket that mounts on the frame then the brush guard attaches to it. (b/c i bought it off craigslist) do you know where i can get it? and what it is called?

also, how hard was it for you to take out the 2 sets of bolts? b/c it was on pretty tight on my ride
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 811 (members: 0, guests: 811)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top