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?

 

I'll send ya an extra with the hardware for $5 + shipping. just PM me if you're interested.

 

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.

 

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...

 

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.

 

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

 

Mine had two on the front, but i knocked one of them off wheeling.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Don't forget when they load them on to the transport trucks when they arrive in port and are trucked to the dealers.

 

Its because for 99% of the time, you'd only need one tow hook.

Perfect excuse to get sonorans.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

Maybe this is why Im getting a pair of Sonorans instead of just 1.

 

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.

 

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