ok so I wonna make some custom mounts...

[06MidnightBlue]

for hooks that come out of the front bumper where I'm assuming a front brush guard would mount. does anyone know if these are already made for our application?

[The Roadie]

OEM hooks mount on the reinforcing bar bolts, and replace the lower nut plate. Brush guards mount to holes in the side of the frame.

WHATEVER YOU DO, don't do what I did when I was an insane idiot noob on my first trail ride with a group who insisted on front mounted recovery points:

[06MidnightBlue]

so all you did in that pic was bolt on the hooks?

[chevycrew]

It appears as though thats what he did. Hooks mounted there would have about the same effectiveness as using beer cans for jack stands...

[06MidnightBlue]

I know this is gonna sound OCD...but my biggest concern with mounting recovery hooks is I want to cause AS LITTLE DAMAGE to the front bumper as possible.

[Regulator1175]

Proof that Rodie was a noob at one point as well. He just evolved faster then most.

[chevycrew]

I know this is gonna sound OCD...but my biggest concern with mounting recovery hooks is I want to cause AS LITTLE DAMAGE to the front bumper as possible.

Put on stock hooks, or go aftermarket bumper with d-rings.

[The Roadie]

It appears as though thats what he did. Hooks mounted there would have about the same effectiveness as using beer cans for jack stands...

You got it. I seriously underestimated the forces involved. And how low I was hanging down. First time I hit a piece of compacted sand on the climb-out from a wash, I pushed them in. That pushed the radiator bracket back and jammed the fan in the shroud and I overheated when driving with the wind. Into the wind, no problem. But I couldn't get back to the campsite without a tug on the bracket to unjam the fan. With no rocks or trees in that part of the desert, I needed help.

I know this is gonna sound OCD...but my biggest concern with mounting recovery hooks is I want to cause AS LITTLE DAMAGE to the front bumper as possible.

Sorry, but I gotta say it's way beyond OCD. It's a downright dangerous attitude to carry if you're going to do serious offroading. Not sure what your mission is, but if you have a split-second decision to make to choose between scratching or totalling the vehicle to save your life in a rollover or runaway loss of brake issue, if you spend two brain clock cycles on weighing what the damage might cost you, that delay might be the thing that costs you your health. Not to say that your daily driver has to look beat up or crappy, but you should spend some time thinking about your relationship with the truck before you take it in harm's way. That's all.

[chevycrew]

It appears as though thats what he did. Hooks mounted there would have about the same effectiveness as using beer cans for jack stands...

You got it. I seriously underestimated the forces involved. And how low I was hanging down. First time I hit a piece of compacted sand on the climb-out from a wash, I pushed them in. That pushed the radiator bracket back and jammed the fan in the shroud and I overheated when driving with the wind. Into the wind, no problem. But I couldn't get back to the campsite without a tug on the bracket to unjam the fan. With no rocks or trees in that part of the desert, I needed help.

At least you had a hook to pull it back out with!

[bartonmd]

I know this is gonna sound OCD...but my biggest concern with mounting recovery hooks is I want to cause AS LITTLE DAMAGE to the front bumper as possible.

Sorry, but I gotta say it's way beyond OCD. It's a downright dangerous attitude to carry if you're going to do serious offroading. Not sure what your mission is, but if you have a split-second decision to make to choose between scratching or totalling the vehicle to save your life in a rollover or runaway loss of brake issue, if you spend two brain clock cycles on weighing what the damage might cost you, that delay might be the thing that costs you your health. Not to say that your daily driver has to look beat up or crappy, but you should spend some time thinking about your relationship with the truck before you take it in harm's way. That's all.

Exactly... and this is why my '07 5.3L TB has cowboy stripes all down the sides of it... Much better when going up switchback fire trails to hug the mountain side and get some brush scratches than to try and stay away from them, and drive closer to the drop-off, where the ground is less secure, and you don't have to slip around nearly as much to be in REAL trouble...

Mike

[06MidnightBlue]

I've thought about covering the lower part of the truck in that Rhino bed liner stuff to prevent from low end scratches....too much?

[Diacom]

I've thought about covering the lower part of the truck in that Rhino bed liner stuff to prevent from low end scratches....too much?

Do you mean scratches like this??







Dunno if the liner will really prevent much.

[06MidnightBlue]

No no no...I meant around the lower part of the doors and bumpers...to protect the pain from scratches...and to somewhat give it a rugged look.

[fishsticks]

No no no...I meant around the lower part of the doors and bumpers...to protect the pain from scratches...and to somewhat give it a rugged look.

DENTS give your truck a "rugged looK".

Bedliner is simply there to keep the metal from rusting.

[06MidnightBlue]

true that...however it does give it a more rugged...off-road type look.

[chevycrew]

Ive never met anyone who was concerned with getting the offroad "look" that actually ever needed to have tow hooks...

[The Roadie]

I think I read on the OS that somebody's tow hooks bent or broke during a mud extraction. They certainly aren't good for much more than a flat tow on pavement, or for pulling a ricer out of a snowbank backwards.

I love this video:

[navigator]

wow, it reminds me of one I saw with I think an old jeep that was stuck in a river bed or something and they had a big diesel trying to pull him out and they snatched the front axle out from under it.

[Regulator1175]

I love the "spotter" covering his ass, "I said stop, I said stop, I said stop."

[fishsticks]

I LOLd. I believe an "Oh ////!" escaped my lips too.


Shoulda pulled him sideways out of that bank.... and should put the truck in 4WD.