In a message dated 99-07-07 19:11:04 EDT, you write:
<< Just some generic 10,000 lb. hooks. $30 for the pair at Canadian Tire
(that's about $20 in US dollars). They even came with the bolts, washers,
nuts and strap clips.
I just need to figure out exactly where I'm going to mount them. Somewhere
on the front frame rail. I'll just drill a couple of holes and bolt them
up. I'll probably have to cut out part of the plastic air dam to get easy
access to them as well. I'm trying to decide between the bottom edge of the
frame (puts the hooks lower, plus there's not as much space to work with) or
on the outside edges (puts the hooks further off center).
Another '95 Dakota owner I met in the Central Ontario 4x4 club has two 2"
receivers mounted under the bumper (cut out the air dam) that he uses for an
A-frame. However, his extra cross bar for these receivers is welded to the
bumper brackets, and he says he's found out that these brackets aren't
strong enough for recovering a Dak stuck in mud. He wants to move the
receivers up to behind the bumper and cut holes in the bumper for them.
You guys who own Daks with the sexy new body style that uses $160 tow hooks
can think about the fact that sometimes simpler is better. :-) Don't get me
wrong, I love our '98, but the changes aren't without drawbacks.
>>
Jason,
I took the lower air dam off, for added front end clearance/appraoch and also
to mount my hooks in order to have better access to them. I put some 10,000
pound hooks(Jeep style) on. I ended up putting them on the outside(towards
the tire) of the front frame rail/hornm, similar to what it seems you want
to. After 3 small tugs from being pulled on, the front frame rail/horn was
bent up pretty good. I took the hooks off and put the air dam back on. Until
I can think of a better way, a stronger way, no tow hooks up front for me. I
was thinking of having a local shop weld up a brace for the front end out fo
1/4" thick plate, creating almost a thinker front end frame horn/rail; but
still not sure if this will work either. I do like those hooks the Chevy/GMC
Blazers/Jimmy's use becuase they are very long and would stick out nice past
the front bumper for easier access, junk yard should have plenty. I think
these are similar hooks that the newer body style Daks use. I also do like
the solid loop hooks(very stout looking) the new style Ford 4WD F250-350 use,
they look extremely solid; just have to reinforce that front end of the Dak
better, somehow. Hope this helps. Let me know how things go for you.
Kyle
93 Dakota 4x4 V6
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