Is it okay to use trunk sheet metal as a mounting location for a front tow hook

5:04 · 09-07-2011, 11:16 AM

Hey guys,

I know the 964 cup cars had tow hooks coming out of the front bumper, and since I'll be running 964 bumpers I was hoping to use a tow location similar to what they had. I don't know what it is mounted to since the pictures all have the bumper cover on. Is the tub where the sheet metal is an okay mounting point for the tow hooks?

Here is a picture of what I'm talking about on the 964. I'm not sure if the location is reinforced on 964.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5:04

Hey guys,

I know the 964 cup cars had tow hooks coming out of the front bumper, and since I'll be running 964 bumpers I was hoping to use a tow location similar to what they had. I don't know what it is mounted to since the pictures all have the bumper cover on. Is the tub where the sheet metal is an okay mounting point for the tow hooks?

Here is a picture of what I'm talking about on the 964. I'm not sure if the location is reinforced on 964.

The bolt to the front vertical sheetmetal piece which on the Cups and Rs is reinforced by an additional layer of metal

JohnJL · 09-07-2011, 12:40 PM

Do not bolt through just plain sheet metal, it will pull out.

Evan Fullerton · 09-07-2011, 01:08 PM

My 993's tow hook was bolted through the front trunk wall with a large backing plate. Seemed to work ok.

5:04 · 09-07-2011, 03:06 PM

I didn't plan on bolting it just to the metal, i was going to put a plate behind it like Evan is mentioning.

Do you have a picture Evan?

I have a TRS tow strap in the back bolted to where the left bumper shock bracket used to be, and I can do the same in the front. I just liked the hard mounted front hook and how easy it is for workers to access if I do ever need it.

Evan Fullerton · 09-07-2011, 04:59 PM

Sorry, don't have any pictures of my car specifically as most of the ones I had of the car died with my old computer but it was a hook just like the one Bill posted pictures of bolted to the front wall of the trunk with roughly a 4"x6" backing plate on the inside of the tub. There was a little distortion in the vertical sheet metal of the trunk from tow hook use but nothing I would be concerned about.

Cory M · 09-08-2011, 08:34 AM

You can do it. Mount it low so you are going through multiple layers of the front pan stamping, not just the thin metal at the front of the car, and back it up well with a plate or some big washers. I have pulled the car from this point with a winch many times with no problems, an impatient tow truck driver might screw it up though. My first pic shows the hole location from the inside of the trunk (ignore the oil cooler), the other pic shows the outside of the car when it had a 964 bumper.

Craig T · 09-08-2011, 09:12 AM

With a large backing plate, it will hold for a "gentle" pull off the track. Cory's is a good example, pulling along a horizontal plane against the sheet metal through multiple layers.

It WILL NOT hold without sheet metal damage if you get stuck in the mud off-track at Buttonwillow, or buried deep in the kitty litter at Laguna Seca.

I've seen both examples where it took fairly aggressive pulls to get the car out. I was stuck in the kitty litter at the top of the Corkscrew so badly, the tow truck had to use a “snap line” with a running start to pull me out. That kind or tug would certainly bend the sheet metal if not tear the whole plate out

5:04 · 09-08-2011, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the info I needed guys!

Also do you have any other pics of your car Cory?

RichardNew · RichardNew's Garage

A gentle pull off the race track? When does that happen? The tow guys want you off the track right now. They're very good at what they do. Not sure about using the term gentle though. I have little experience on the end of a tow rope and I've never had a problem. Just don't assume it's going to be gentle.

Richard Newton

campbellcj · 09-08-2011, 08:33 PM

Case in point re. Craig's reply -- the tow rig broke their strap 2 or 3 times trying to pull a stuck Boxster out of the Corkscrew gravel in the recent POC event there. They were pulling very, very hard.

My car is a 914 so not directly comparable, but my front hook is the type made of flat steel vs. rod steel or aluminum. It is bolted flat against a boxed section in the front trunk, so there is a lot of surface area over which to spread the load. I would have preferred it to be oriented horizontally vs. vertically but had to do vertical for this application.

It's been used a number of times with no issues. I can post a pic this weekend if it might be helpful.

KTL · 09-08-2011, 08:42 PM

I agree mounting it low at the turn in the tub is best if you're going to mount it in the middle of the tub. Otherwise mount it to the side where the bumper shocks fasten to the side of the tub. Chassis is much beefier on the side.

I have a middle mounted tow hook and I don't like it there. I can flex it up & down rather easy, despite it being welded in place with a very large plate to spread the load. It's a bit more flexy than typical because the front sheetmetal has been cut away and replaced with a recessed piece of thin sheetmetal to provide backside clearance for the oil cooler.

I have a Rennline side mount front hook that I plan to install instead. However i'll keep the center mounted one in some manner because it actually acts as part of my bumper mounting.......

Craig T · 09-09-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campbellcj

Case in point re. Craig's reply -- the tow rig broke their strap 2 or 3 times trying to pull a stuck Boxster out of the Corkscrew gravel in the recent POC event there. They were pulling very, very hard.

Mine is mounted very securely to the original bumper support. Still, I was a little nervous when the tow driver walked up to my window and said..."HANG ON! I'm going to need a running start". A sheet metal only mount would have had the tow hook tear loose and go through his back window.

Of course, that deep kitty litter at Laguna is an extreme situation.

campbellcj · 09-17-2011, 07:27 PM

Here is a pic of how mine is mounted. It is sturdy and has been used several times. This is a 914 not a 911.

bullethole · 09-19-2011, 08:28 AM

Where does one get the tow hooks shown in the early pictures...

KTL · 09-19-2011, 08:53 AM

Well I installed my Rennline tow hook to the bumper shock location and slotted my bumper accordingly. Turned out pretty good, despite looking stoopid with two tow hooks on the front.....

Not sure if I cursed myself or not. Because I got to put the new tow hook to use yesterday. Tow was easy since I was only being pulled thru the paddock. However the reason for the tow was engine failure- oil pressure related. Boo hoo.

But I am glad that I got around to installing the new hook, since I don't need to add insult to injury by wrecking the front of my tub on account of the flimsy center eyelet. I added enough insult by forgetting to remove my front bumper when going up on the trailer (mind was a bit elsewhere on engine fail) and tore off the front splitter and nearly split the bumper in half........ That blows (pun intended- engine fail).