$20 Rear Tow Hook Option

[Joszer]

As we all know, our cars seriously lack Tow hooks. On eBay I found these loops that utilize the bottom shock bolt, they're meant for e30 and e46 BMWs but they totally work on our car. I got mine from a vendor called Garagistic on eBay for about $20. Since I track my car relatively often, these were a must for me. Anywho, here are some photos. They took about 5 minutes to install with my electric impact, 15mm socket, and jack.

 

[airjor13]

Sweet! Good find

 

[wrongwheeldrive]

Noob question: Do you need tow hooks on both ends of the car to track?

 

[Joszer]

Noob question: Do you need tow hooks on both ends of the car to track?

Depends on the organization. Mine recommends it while i know others require it.

 

[Pete]

This is going to save me some money thanks for the find!

 

[D1JL]

I think it is a good idea however, a hook under the car has been rejected by the tracks around me.

I do have another idea soon to be announced.



Dave

 

[Young L]

yea this was a bit frustrating for me when my car crapped out on my at Hockemhiem. I didnt like the idea of having to use and axle strap to get it on the tow truck.

 

[OEFvet11]

Sparco makes the tow strap. They cost about 15bucks on amazon. I am just drilling a hole in the crash beam and routing it through the front grill. In the rear I am going to drill out a small hole in the mesh looking area and route it out the hole so it's easy to see for rear recovery. Easy enough to just use a grade 8 bolt, a drill, tow strap. Will post pictures when I finish mine this weekend.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I burned up and number of lower end drill bits on the front bumper then got out my good bits and still overheated the first one, it is made of very hard steel. Once I had a hole big enough I used a HF lower cost step bit to finish it off which worked much better, trashed one in the process but did not want to take a chance on my expensive pro grade step bits.

You may be able to do the rear strap without pulling the bumper cover which would be cool, let us know if so.

If you do pull the cover you may want to consider sanding off the back of the rear "grill" to allow trapped air out the back of the car, I have long planned to do that or mod the tire well and build a big real diffuser

 

[D1JL]

In my experience, hole saws work better than drills.




Dave

 

[RAAMaudio]

I agree if the hole you need is big enough to use one. They still have to have a pilot hole and pilot bits are expensive so perhaps drill it with a cheaper bit then use the hole saw.

Another point on using a strap through a grill, make the hole in the grill big enough to allow for deflection of the strap if the car is pulled at an angle so you do not damage the grill.

I might get a set of the shock mount tie downs as I strap the car down often and it is abit of a pain to crawl under far enough to wrap the straps around the axle.

 

[OEFvet11]

I burned up and number of lower end drill bits on the front bumper then got out my good bits and still overheated the first one, it is made of very hard steel. Once I had a hole big enough I used a HF lower cost step bit to finish it off which worked much better, trashed one in the process but did not want to take a chance on my expensive pro grade step bits.

You may be able to do the rear strap without pulling the bumper cover which would be cool, let us know if so.

If you do pull the cover you may want to consider sanding off the back of the rear "grill" to allow trapped air out the back of the car, I have long planned to do that or mod the tire well and build a big real diffuser

Hoping I don't burn any bits up. If i need to I'll break out my cut off wheel. I'll attempt the rear without pulling the cover just to see if its possible. Hopefully I can find a way, if not I'll def sand down the rear grills to free up that air. Weather not allowing me to get it done this weekend so its postponed until next weekend. Will def reply with my findings.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Looking forward to how this turns out, keep us posted as soon as you can

 

[OEFvet11]

Got it installed tonight without pulling the bumper. Trying get post the pictures. Takes about 15mins, ramps, a 13mm wrench, and a cut off wheel.

 

[lildevilx]

As we all know, our cars seriously lack Tow hooks. On eBay I found these loops that utilize the bottom shock bolt, they're meant for e30 and e46 BMWs but they totally work on our car. I got mine from a vendor called Garagistic on eBay for about $20. Since I track my car relatively often, these were a must for me. Anywho, here are some photos. They took about 5 minutes to install with my electric impact, 15mm socket, and jack.

Sorry for digging up an old ish post but you got a link on where you got those?

 

[Joszer]

[MENTION=1205]lildevilx[/MENTION]

Yeah man,

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=271138983433&alt=web

 

[lildevilx]

[MENTION=1205]lildevilx[/MENTION]

Yeah man,

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=271138983433&alt=web

Awesome thanks!

 

[NATYPE]

So I'm just pulling this thread all the way back out. Is this still a potentially good option? Seems like similar parts are available still. https://www.ebay.com/itm/125511643842

 

[green_henry]

So I'm just pulling this thread all the way back out. Is this still a potentially good option? Seems like similar parts are available still. https://www.ebay.com/itm/125511643842

I did this a few years ago. Super simple. Have not had a chance to test them and hope I never do. And I think they're still available: https://www.garagistic.com/products/bmw-rear-shock-tie_down-adapter?variant=31288166744163

 

[NATYPE]

I did this a few years ago. Super simple. Have not had a chance to test them and hope I never do. And I think they're still available: https://www.garagistic.com/products/bmw-rear-shock-tie_down-adapter?variant=31288166744163

Oh man, hell yeah. Appreciate the perspective and the link of course! Just seemed so simple to have just in case.

fastest update in the west: Got em. $25 shipped in red