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Tow hook installation

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Old 12-11-2009, 10:48 AM
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Default Tow hook installation

How do you put tow hooks on the front of a 99 xj? are d-rings an option?
Old 12-11-2009, 11:03 AM
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You have to reinforce them down the length of the unibody, "Not" just connect them to the bumper! I pulled the factory bumper/recovery mounts from the bone yard but there a lot of aftermarket ones out there. they extend the grip down the length of the frame so it won't rip out when pulled on or pull the bumper clear off.

I don't see any reason you couldn't fab up a mount for D-Rings with the same bolt spacing as the hooks.

Here's a shot of what the factory ones look like compared to just plain bumper mounts. I have all the pics @ https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...covery-points/
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Old 12-12-2009, 10:06 AM
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How difficult of a job was it to put them on? it looked fairly simple...
Old 12-12-2009, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by jake 99 xj
How difficult of a job was it to put them on? it looked fairly simple...
Not bad at all. Just took a little exploring to find the bumper bolts to remove. The clips that act as nuts for holding the bumper on were trashed so that was my biggest issue. I still have to drill 2 holes on each side to take advantage of all the holes available in the brackets. That will give me more strength into the unibody...
Old 12-12-2009, 10:08 PM
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Cool. Can you get the hooks and brackets from a junked cherokee or do you have to order them or something? Where the clips available to replace? just trying to keep the cost down
Old 12-12-2009, 10:08 PM
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Cool. can you get the hooks and brackets from a junked cherokee or do you have to order them or something? just trying to keep the cost down
Old 12-13-2009, 12:43 AM
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I got the brackets, 4 hooks, and front skid plate for $40 at the local Bone-Yard. I have seen people post aftermarket brackets but they were way too much for my blood. Besides, then you don't get to go play and see what else follows you home...
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...covery-points/
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Old 12-13-2009, 01:05 AM
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Outstanding job! Nice to see a safe set of tow points installed the right way!!
Old 12-13-2009, 07:50 AM
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i found tow hooks and d rings online. thinking about getting the d rings bcz IMO they look better. (just dont know if it makes a difference!?)
d-rings:
http://store.hicountryoffroad.com/Je...ckles_p_5.html

Hooks:
http://store.hicountryoffroad.com/Je...ooks_p_10.html
Old 12-13-2009, 08:28 AM
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If I spent more time off road than on, I would switch to D-Rings. I didn't want the constant rattle and chance of someone swiping them and didn't want to have to store them in the cab when not in use,

I think the bigest advantage to them over hooks is not needing to tend the strap during recoverory. If you look close at the factory hooks on my rig, that lower skirt flexes and acts as a keeper so the strap won't fall off.
Old 03-09-2011, 01:27 PM
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is there anyway to safely attach tow hooks with out putting anything on except for the hookes themselves
Old 03-09-2011, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ptonjeep
is there anyway to safely attach tow hooks with out putting anything on except for the hookes themselves
if you run with no sway bar i put chevy tow hooks on mine been working finehttps://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/che...-67388/index2/

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Old 03-09-2011, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
if you run with no sway bar i put chevy tow hooks on mine been working finehttps://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/che...-67388/index2/
what did you hook them to? i looked though your thread but couldnt really tell
Old 03-09-2011, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ptonjeep
what did you hook them to? i looked though your thread but couldnt really tell
thru the sway bar mount holes there is a steel plate that runs inside the frame
Old 03-09-2011, 02:35 PM
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https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/che...y-hooks-67388/


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