Tow Hooks - ZL1 Version

GT_Dave · Apr 9, 2017

I had no problem with the grill, the tow hook mount aligns perfectly with the grill pattern and no mounting components came close to the grill surface. I didn't even need to use the supplied drill to clear any flash on the grill.

Spacebird · Apr 22, 2017

This is a bitch to install. I did my MGW shifter in far less time than it's taken me thus far, and I still have a ways to go...

I can't get the bumper off, but I can get it to hang enough that I can access the mounting points for the receiver. I now have the receiver in place, but have to buy a 1/2 hex to get the bolt torqued adequately. I'm not looking forward to putting the bumper back in place to find the correct grill alignment. I'm not sure if I'll be able to access the 13mm nuts to tighten them.

I popped the temperature sensor off but really can't see it. Hopefully I can figure out how to reinsert it. The probe points to the passenger side, correct?

I usually like wrenching, but this sucks.

Voodooo · Apr 22, 2017

I have just received my front and rear ZL1 titanium tow hooks. I'm not happy with the mounts themselves. The quality and workmanship are poor to say the least. The tow hook rings are nice though.
On the front mount I do not trust 2 tiny bolts and nuts supporting the weight of the car when being towed, also they use five 1/4-20 allen cap screws that are just randomly placed without any accuracy of placement. I can tell this thing will flex and crack the grille honeycomb. To insert the tow hook ring you have to file or sand the honeycomb opening to screw the hook ring into the receiver. Any flexing of the hook will put stress on the grille and stress it.
On the rear hook receiver it's a 3/8" thick steel flat bar stock with a piece of angle iron welded to it and a 5/8" coupler nut welded to the bar stock. Both have Poor weld quality. I don't understand why they didn't just make it from a one piece of 3/8" thick steel plate bent on a press break.
I'm going to machine my own or see how the quality of the ford performance hooks are when they arrive Tuesday. From the pics I seen of the FP hooks the rear hook quality looks poor also.

Spacebird · Apr 22, 2017

Freaking finally... but does this look right you folks? Seems to stick out farther than what I've seen in pictures.

I was able to position the coupler such that no trimming of the grill was required. The only downside to that is the temperature sensor would no longer fit above the coupler. I ended up moving the temperature sensor to another location and securing it with heavy duty outdoor 3M double sided tape. I'll see how it holds up with the heat of the engine and Texas summers.

GT_Dave · Apr 22, 2017

Glad to see you finished OK, that amount of projection is exactly where I have mine mounted. I mounted my temperature sensor to the plastic cover above where it was originally mounted. Just drilled 2 new holes in the plastic about 1 inch offset from the hook body. It all works great.

THX 138 · Apr 22, 2017

That's right. You have the long tow hook shaft, which screws in all the way to the stop. There is a short shaft as well, which doesn't stick out as far, but which also doesn't screw in all the way, so with the short one you need to cut off a small bolt to create a positive stop for it.

If the double-sided tape doesn't work for the temperature sensor, the best option is to mount it on top of the crossbar, in the same holes, without the angled spacer, instead of hanging below it like it does in the stock position. No additional holes needed.

Etchhead · Apr 22, 2017

Ill need tow hooks as well- but this sounds like a royal PITA! How many shop hours are folks getting hit with for front/rear?

Rogue · Apr 23, 2017

I had a body shop do mine - looks awesome. I noticed traffic getting out of my way in the left lane all of a sudden :lol:

Spacebird · Apr 23, 2017

Etchhead said:
Ill need tow hooks as well- but this sounds like a royal PITA! How many shop hours are folks getting hit with for front/rear?

I'm glad I did it myself, because I know it was done right (all fasteners torqued to actual spec), but it sucked.

The Chairman · Apr 23, 2017

For those that do this mod in the future, just remove the temperature sensor from the mounting bracket, remove the mounting bracket entirely, and install the temp sensor right where the mounting bracket was. Put this little bracket in the box with other items you have removed.

CSL · Apr 23, 2017

Voodooo said:
I have just received my front and rear ZL1 titanium tow hooks. I'm not happy with the mounts themselves. The quality and workmanship are poor to say the least. The tow hook rings are nice though.
On the front mount I do not trust 2 tiny bolts and nuts supporting the weight of the car when being towed, also they use five 1/4-20 allen cap screws that are just randomly placed without any accuracy of placement. I can tell this thing will flex and crack the grille honeycomb. To insert the tow hook ring you have to file or sand the honeycomb opening to screw the hook ring into the receiver. Any flexing of the hook will put stress on the grille and stress it.
On the rear hook receiver it's a 3/8" thick steel flat bar stock with a piece of angle iron welded to it and a 5/8" coupler nut welded to the bar stock. Both have Poor weld quality. I don't understand why they didn't just make it from a one piece of 3/8" thick steel plate bent on a press break.
I'm going to machine my own or see how the quality of the ford performance hooks are when they arrive Tuesday. From the pics I seen of the FP hooks the rear hook quality looks poor also.

Have you seen the version by Rocket Science Racing?

koopatroopa781 · Apr 23, 2017

Etchhead said:
Ill need tow hooks as well- but this sounds like a royal PITA! How many shop hours are folks getting hit with for front/rear?

It isn't actually that bad. I think it took me about 2.5 hours, that's including reading the crappy instructions, playing with my kid, and posting to Facebook. I went from under the car, and removed my air splitter and belly pan. I would recommend doing it yourself, you kind of appreciate the car a little more. You get to see the brake ducts, and how the air funnels through the various areas of the car.

firestarter2 · May 26, 2017

Any tips on how to remove the front bumper? Id like to install these but dont want to damage my paint.

50 Deep · May 26, 2017

firestarter2 said:
Any tips on how to remove the front bumper? Id like to install these but dont want to damage my paint.

No need to remove the front bumper. Only the front splitter and belly pan

firestarter2 · May 26, 2017

Hmm lol well thats a tip:-D.

You have to remove the bumper for the rear hook right?

Tow Hooks - ZL1 Version

GT_Dave

Well-Known Member

Spacebird

Well-Known Member

Voodooo

Banned

Spacebird

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GT_Dave

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THX 138

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Etchhead

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Rogue

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Spacebird

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The Chairman

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CSL

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koopatroopa781

Active Member

firestarter2

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50 Deep

Signature Wheel Ford Rep

firestarter2

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