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Old 03-30-2016, 03:23 PM
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Whats with the one tow hook?

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Old 08-26-2005, 10:33 AM
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Whats with the one tow hook?

I have recently noticed that my lack of a tow hook up front wasn't just my runner. When I bought my runner it only had one tow hook up front, and a perfect place for a second one, but it just wasn't there. So like I said, I thought it was just me. But I started looking at other trucks and runners, 1st and 2nd gen, and they all have only one. So whats up with that?
Old 08-26-2005, 10:42 AM
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I'll send ya an extra with the hardware for $5 + shipping. just PM me if you're interested.
Old 08-26-2005, 10:45 AM
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Toyota's don't break down so front tow hooks are really just for decoration. What you actually need is 2 on the rear, for hauling all the broken Jeeps

It's easy to add another on the front if you want.
Old 08-26-2005, 10:53 AM
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whats also kinda funny is that I've seen this one hook be one either side, whatever... well ya i know i can add an extra one, just haven't got around to it yet, and just another one of those random things that don't really make any sense...
Old 08-26-2005, 11:19 AM
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tow hook

From what I was told. It was from when they were shipped over here on the boat. They only needed 1 hook in front to chain down. I don’t know if this is true or not.
Old 08-26-2005, 11:47 AM
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my truck had 2 loops on it.. not hooks, but actual L shaped brackets with a hole.... all the first gen runners only had one, the 4x4s also... look at their valance, it has a cutout for jsut the right side hook
Old 08-26-2005, 12:55 PM
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Mine had two on the front, but i knocked one of them off wheeling.
Old 08-26-2005, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 2003mikem
From what I was told. It was from when they were shipped over here on the boat. They only needed 1 hook in front to chain down. I don’t know if this is true or not.
I wonder if my 01 Tacoma came by boat from Calif. to West Virginia and that's why mine came with a hook,lol.
Just funning with you mikem. I really don't know why they only have one hook but I bet you figure all the Toyotas that are built and they left one hook off of each one then it would amount to allot of money saved! Mike
Old 08-26-2005, 02:37 PM
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Mine had one cast hook and one stamped steel loop, you can see them in this pic. My 85 had only one hook, on the pass side.
Attached Thumbnails Whats with the one tow hook?-p8240102sm.jpg  

Last edited by Flamedx4; 08-26-2005 at 02:40 PM.
Old 08-28-2005, 01:25 PM
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I have noticed this too, but have been unable to figure out a reason or pattern for it. Both sides are tapped to accept a hook, and from what I can tell they almost always have one. Even advertisments showed them with only one.
Old 08-28-2005, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 2003mikem
From what I was told. It was from when they were shipped over here on the boat. They only needed 1 hook in front to chain down. I don’t know if this is true or not.
Don't forget when they load them on to the transport trucks when they arrive in port and are trucked to the dealers.
Old 08-28-2005, 02:49 PM
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Its because for 99% of the time, you'd only need one tow hook.

Perfect excuse to get sonorans.
Old 08-28-2005, 03:48 PM
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All you need is one. The loop is just a tie down for ropes and such.

I removed the loop (with penetrant, heat, and a 3ft breaker bar mind you) and tossed on another hook from the junkyard. Problem solved.
Old 08-28-2005, 04:19 PM
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the loops were for shipping purposes, they'll break if you use them as tow hooks.
Old 08-28-2005, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by kyle_22r
the loops were for shipping purposes, they'll break if you use them as tow hooks.
Exactly.

Besides aesthetics, what would you need 2 tow hooks for?
Old 08-28-2005, 05:59 PM
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Depending on what angle you are at when you need to get rescued it may be easier to get to one side than other...rather than having to go the whole way across the front of the rig you can just attach it to the correct side, this limits the possibility for problems.

Fink
Old 08-28-2005, 06:03 PM
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Maybe this is why Im getting a pair of Sonorans instead of just 1.
Old 05-25-2014, 10:22 AM
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additional front tow hook needed

Originally Posted by yotatruck88
I'll send ya an extra with the hardware for $5 + shipping. just PM me if you're interested.
I'm looking everywhere online and I can't find a place that sells those things. If you have a place please let me know, I need two so I can tie my canoe down on the roof rack
Old 05-25-2014, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ranchhill08
I'm looking everywhere online and I can't find a place that sells those things. If you have a place please let me know, I need two so I can tie my canoe down on the roof rack
Get a pair of these big horizontal hooks from a '90s Chevy Suburban.
Junkyards are full of them.
Gotta drill one new hole in each to mount them.
Not only easy to attach any kind of chain or strap to them, but they give a good pad to use when jacking with a high-lift.


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Old 05-25-2014, 01:07 PM
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Pro Comp makes hooks that are nearly indentical to stock(the earlier stock hook design, 90 and later look different). No drilling required.

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...d=0CN4CEKYrMBI

Last edited by MudHippy; 05-25-2014 at 01:20 PM.


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