Low Price Tow loops for 944s
 

Low Price Tow loops for 944s



I have been a bit bored lately and when I saw the rear tow hook that was on B&B Track Car Rental B&B 1.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252026965.jpg

So while at the local Home Depot picting up a few things, I started thinking, 1st I looked for a big stainless U bolt, but they didn't have anything bigger than what already was on the car.... The I noticed the Trailer tie down loops, less than $10 each:eek: Now I had my replacement Loop, next was hardware, well, some 3/8X1 Stainless allen bolts were the largest that would fit through the mounting holes in the tie downs, after grabbing some washers & nuts (They didn't have nylocks, so I will be replacing ASAP, but these are OK for now with lock washers..
Only simple hand tools needed to install, I went ahead & bough a 1/8s tap & bit ($8) since mine are metric & I wanted to play today..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252027355.jpg Tape measure,
Drill, punch, tap, 8mm allen wrench & 14mm deep socket are all the tools need to do this to do this job...

OK, here we go...

1) measure where you want to mount the loop, there are ribs behind the bumper, so make sure you drill around them..

2) Mark your hole & drill.

3) Tap that hole!!!!! The bumper it's self isn't strong enough to hold, so this is just to give you a bit threads with the large washers in the back, small one up front.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252027915.jpg

4) Screw the bolt in, with the loop plate mounted, mark the 2nd hole & repeat the process. Add your washers, lock washers, you may need to bend the back washers to fit under the rib in the back of the bumper.

5) Clean up the bumper, either paint or powder coat the loops RED and either tough up the bumper or place a decal behind the mounts...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252028409.jpg

The front mounds the same way, but you will need to remove the bumper to fit the washers & nuts... I'm going to powder coat the front loops.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252028634.jpg
Now you can sit back & enjoy a nice Arogant Bastard Ale knowing that you have a solid tow loop at each end for a bit over $20:D

Now, there is one more thing, you may want to put something behind the loops so they don't bounce & bang on your bumper, I using pieces of Astro Deck, a foan decal for surfboard(I just happen to have a few peices around, will update when installed..

nice looking...but how strong is it really. what size bolts are u using? they look like maybe M8's? would hate to see the bolt just snapping when being towed.

3/8, stainless, but the bumper is threaded as well. That was the biggest that would fit through. The real plan is not to use them, but you saw what I replaced:p
I plan on later putting a stronger grade bolt. They are larger than the ones holding the bumper shocks...

lol yea def an improvement from before.

GAH! No stainless, too brittle!

If I were running safety (which I sometimes do), I would not hook up to that contraption. People have been killed when tow straps or loops let go.

Our safety truck no longer pulls cars for that very reason. They had one let go on them while they had a guy riding on the back of their truck. Now they push cars instead, often messing up the rear bumper. :rolleyes:

I use the SafeQuip soft "bump draft" style tow straps... They've gotten me out of the mud a number of times.

Tapping into the aluminum rear bumper - not the best. I'd at least put a through bolt, washers, and nuts on the back of it.

You used a beefy bolt and thread, and would probably be 'ok'.. but I don't know if that would pass CCW regs.

Look at step 3

Sorry, I thought that it was pretty clear when I washers in the back & that a 14mm socket was needed...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252092579.jpg

I'm only looking at track use, not pulling other cars & being towed, I have a trailer for that:D I do plan on upgrading to at least grade 3 bolts..

Would a flat steel backing plate make sense so you are not pulling on the soft aluminum? Just a thought.

My mistake. Those big fender washers should distribute the load enough to be rather strong.


I still think some CCW rules require tow hooks to be bolted or welded to a main structure on the car, i.e. steel frame rails. But it's been awhile since I've read up on that.

This car is mainly used for DEs, and to Green Students and an occational race.

I though about that & may still do it when I pull them back off to have powder coated.. The problem is there are ribs behind the bumper so the washers were used..

Maybe you should paint them on.

:D

:eek:

I mean only to be used if I have to be pulled off the track, not towing other cats from place to place. I have seen much worse at PCA races....http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252188842.jpg

If you get stuck off the race track and have to be pulled out, that tow hook is going to see a lot more stress than if you were simply towing on pavement. If it's not good enough for street use, then it's definitely not for the race track. And on top of that, you'd likely have guys standing nearby when the towing starts... if something gives out, that tow hook is going to go flying and possibly hit someone.

Yeah, coming from the world of Jeeps and off-road towing, that things bad. Don't hook to that...