Factory front tow hooks

[Eagle_SX4]

About a year ago I got some factory tow hooks and bumper mounts. I pulled the tow hooks off and repainted them to put them on my truck. I installed the bumper brackets and bumper. I ran into an issue when I tried to bolt the tow hook braces up the frame. The passenger side clears just fine. The driver side bolt goes right under the steering box and there is not enough room to get a nut under it.

 

Does any one have the factory tow hooks and can look to see what bolt/nut combination was used to clear the steering box?

[eaglescout526]

I can take a look. I installed hooks on both. 

[fiatslug87]

It looks like a 3/4” long Torx bolt and nut.

Might be easier if you remove the skid plate.

[Eagle_SX4]

Thanks for the replies @eaglescout526 and @fiatslug87 I guess I will try and get a nut up in there. Might have to loosen the steering box and remove the skid plate

[fiatslug87]

While you’re in there make sure that steering box spacer is intact. It’s against the crossmember.

[Eagle_SX4]

4 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said:

While you’re in there make sure that steering box spacer is intact. It’s against the crossmember.

I will, I replaced the steering box last year and it was intact at that point.

[eaglescout526]

On my MJ it is the same as fiats. Heres what you can do, get a nut and thread a bolt then put the support on the hook. If that will make it easy.

[Eagle_SX4]

Awesome thanks for the tips. I got the bolts installed on both sides. I did have to move the steering box slightly to get the nut on.

 

Before I moved the box

After I moved the box

I also added some tabs I made to keep what ever I use on the hooks in place.

[eaglescout526]

I have those same tabs on my XJ. Funny enough, they were with the hooks I found at my grandparents house which incidentally enough were the same Warn hooks Jeep used. 

[Eagle_SX4]

I had one more question regarding the installation hardware. Specifically the nut on the passenger side item 33 in the picture.

I recall not being able to remove that nut from the Cherokee I pulled the tow hooks off of because it was a sleeve nut that sat flush with the frame so the alternator wouldn't hit it.

 

Is my memory correct? The hole on the inside of the passenger side frame is larger than the outside of the frame which seems to support my recollection.

 

The nut listed for the left is part number 34202656.

[eaglescout526]

19 minutes ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Is my memory correct? The hole on the inside of the passenger side frame is larger than the outside of the frame which seems to support my recollection.

Fun fact, that is the 84-86 diagram which does not show the special nut sleeve that slides into the frame, but you are correct. The sleeve should slide in from the inside and the bracket is bolted down from the outside.

 

My 84 does not have the provision at all for this hole. I think I still have mine somewhere.

[Eagle_SX4]

6 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Fun fact, that is the 84-86 diagram

Interesting I have been looking on moparpartsgiant.com and any year Cherokee I look at does not depict the special nut for the passenger side.

 

I will just have to make one. Do you know what the proper bolt and thread size is?

[eaglescout526]

Yeah it doesnt, even my 88 parts catalog does not show the special nut. 

 

I do not off the top of my head. I can go see and study it but it should be the same as the bolt unless you werent able to get it off with the special nut.

[Eagle_SX4]

It has been a while since I pulled the brackets off. I am quite sure I grabbed the bolt but I can't find it. Based on the hole size my best guess is probably a metric 12.

[schardein]

Here are some pictures of the passenger side nut. The bolt is a 14mm and uses a Torx T55 bit for removal. 

 

 

 

 

[Eagle_SX4]

Thanks @schardein for the pics and measurements. 

 

I will keep a lookout at the junkyards for one. I might try and remove the the alternator and put a new bolt in from the inside with a large grade 8 washer to cover the hole so the nut is on the outside of the frame. That should keep enough clearance for the alternator.

[AZJeff]

17 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Thanks @schardein for the pics and measurements. 

 

I will keep a lookout at the junkyards for one. I might try and remove the the alternator and put a new bolt in from the inside with a large grade 8 washer to cover the hole so the nut is on the outside of the frame. That should keep enough clearance for the alternator.

I vote for this approach.   The chances of needing to actually remove that bolt once it is installed is slim to none, so going to the trouble of removing the alternator temporarily is worth avoiding the custom nut shenanigans.

[Eagle_SX4]

Finally got around to putting the rear most bolts in the brackets. I used 1/2-13 grade 8 bolts and flange head nuts. If you flip the nut around and put the hex inside the frame it takes place of the specialty nut by the alternator. It tightened up well but was definitely a pain having no hex to put a wrench on. Will definitely be even harder to remove once it is rusted but it is secure for now.

[Pete M]

On 11/27/2024 at 11:00 PM, Eagle_SX4 said:

Finally got around to putting the rear most bolts in the brackets. I used 1/2-13 grade 8 bolts and flange head nuts. If you flip the nut around and put the hex inside the frame it takes place of the specialty nut by the alternator. It tightened up well but was definitely a pain having no hex to put a wrench on. Will definitely be even harder to remove once it is rusted but it is secure for now.

 

 

antiseize is your friend.