My Free tow hook license plate mount - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mact · 02-08-2013, 08:04 PM

Well almost. I need to find another cheap tow hook in case I need to use one.

I've always been a fan of home projects and a tow hook license plate frame seemed like something I could easily tackle.

Originally I had been looking for a suitable bolt/rod that came with M16x1.5 thread pitch which is what the tow hook for this car is, but they are pretty rare. So I decided to just use my factory tow hook. See photos below:

Basically, I cut the ring off the hook, drilled and tapped for a 10mm bolt, and made the bracket from some scrap angle iron (I think that's what it's called), and used some hardware from the factory license plate kit.

mact · 03-21-2013, 01:10 PM

Going to take it off one of these weekends and paint it flat black.. So far it's holding up well.

LeeMaster · 03-21-2013, 01:23 PM

You should paint the bracket, you dont want rust forming prematurely sneaking inside the threads and into the engine bay. But other than that, looks good!

Jayde · 03-21-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mact

Going to take it off one of these weekends and paint it flat black.. So far it's holding up well.

Xdragonxb0i · 03-21-2013, 02:06 PM

Should be moved to the DIY

i think we could probably source the correct size bolts at Lowes and do this, wouldnt have to tamper with the tow hook

mact · 03-21-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xdragonxb0i

Should be moved to the DIY

i think we could probably source the correct size bolts at Lowes and do this, wouldnt have to tamper with the tow hook

I searched every home improvement and hardware store in my area, and even went to Fastenal. None if them carried m16x1.5 threaded bolts. Fastenal could have ordered one but it would have been cheaper just to buy a used tow hook.

sklimo · 03-21-2013, 02:40 PM

What length do you need? m16x1.5......... I have some here in my shop

mact · 03-21-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sklimo

What length do you need? m16x1.5......... I have some here in my shop

I didn't get a measurement of the length but I made the cut right at the start of the loop on the factory tow hook.

gily25 · 03-22-2013, 11:26 AM

Custom colored tow hooks are showing up on ebay...you should be able to pick up an inexpensive one...jic...there are a few 86 cars being parted out on ebay, you may be able to message them and get the oem one cheap.

Mpowered · 03-22-2013, 04:15 PM

I dont understand wanting to go with a tow hook mount instead of the factory mount. To me, the centered factory mount looks better and the drilled holes are on a part of the bumper that cant be seen.

FRSfan111 · 03-22-2013, 04:43 PM

The reason is some people don't want holes in their bumper. Like me, I had the dealership not drill holes. So my front bumper is flawless.

mact · 03-22-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpowered

I dont understand wanting to go with a tow hook mount instead of the factory mount. To me, the centered factory mount looks better and the drilled holes are on a part of the bumper that cant be seen.

This is where the holes go.

To answer your question as to why. IMO, having the plate in the middle reminds me of.... teeth.

Mpowered · 03-22-2013, 04:56 PM

ah. for some reason i thought the holes went underneath. guess it makes more sense but ive always thought tow hook mounts were ugly.

iLuveKetchup · 03-22-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpowered

ah. for some reason i thought the holes went underneath. guess it makes more sense but ive always thought tow hook mounts were ugly.

I couldn't agree more. The tow hook mounts look cheesy.

02-08-2013, 08:04 PM	#1
mact Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 GTI Location: WI Posts: 416 Thanks: 119 Thanked 204 Times in 97 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My Free tow hook license plate mount Well almost. I need to find another cheap tow hook in case I need to use one. I've always been a fan of home projects and a tow hook license plate frame seemed like something I could easily tackle. Originally I had been looking for a suitable bolt/rod that came with M16x1.5 thread pitch which is what the tow hook for this car is, but they are pretty rare. So I decided to just use my factory tow hook. See photos below: Basically, I cut the ring off the hook, drilled and tapped for a 10mm bolt, and made the bracket from some scrap angle iron (I think that's what it's called), and used some hardware from the factory license plate kit. __________________

03-21-2013, 01:10 PM	#2
mact Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 GTI Location: WI Posts: 416 Thanks: 119 Thanked 204 Times in 97 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Going to take it off one of these weekends and paint it flat black.. So far it's holding up well. __________________

03-21-2013, 01:23 PM	#3
LeeMaster Red wine Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ(R.I.P) Location: Denied Posts: 1,176 Thanks: 1,268 Thanked 342 Times in 240 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You should paint the bracket, you dont want rust forming prematurely sneaking inside the threads and into the engine bay. But other than that, looks good! __________________

03-21-2013, 02:06 PM	#5
Xdragonxb0i Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: ex500r Location: AR Posts: 859 Thanks: 13 Thanked 105 Times in 77 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Should be moved to the DIY i think we could probably source the correct size bolts at Lowes and do this, wouldnt have to tamper with the tow hook __________________

03-22-2013, 04:43 PM	#11
FRSfan111 Sideways and smiling! Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: First 86 FRS 5/8/2012 (second US) Location: Oregon Posts: 941 Thanks: 17 Thanked 273 Times in 179 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The reason is some people don't want holes in their bumper. Like me, I had the dealership not drill holes. So my front bumper is flawless. __________________ My build http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...08#post1283608

03-22-2013, 11:26 AM	#9
gily25 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: Silica BRZ 6MT Location: 06103 Posts: 650 Thanks: 97 Thanked 115 Times in 92 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Custom colored tow hooks are showing up on ebay...you should be able to pick up an inexpensive one...jic...there are a few 86 cars being parted out on ebay, you may be able to message them and get the oem one cheap.

03-22-2013, 04:15 PM	#10
Mpowered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: BR-Z Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I dont understand wanting to go with a tow hook mount instead of the factory mount. To me, the centered factory mount looks better and the drilled holes are on a part of the bumper that cant be seen.

03-22-2013, 04:56 PM	#13
Mpowered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: BR-Z Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	ah. for some reason i thought the holes went underneath. guess it makes more sense but ive always thought tow hook mounts were ugly.

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