XJ/MJ tow hooks versus XK/WJ/KJ tow hooks

[schardein]

I've always thought the factory tow hooks were a little odd, in that they faced down.  The open design and facing down means a recovery strap or rope can easily fall out before the slack is taken out.  I added some retaining clips to alleviate that issue, but I've never seen the clips on a stock XJ/MJ.

I've pulled several sets of tow hooks off Jeep Libertys and Jeep Commanders.  The tow hooks used on those rigs are a different design, and I wondered if they would work on a XJ/MJ.  So I tried them out, with less than ideal results.

They fit, but clearance is so tight there would be no way to get a strap or rope into the hook.  You would have to use a D-ring or soft shackle to attach the rope or strap.  The setup might work for some people, so thought I would post it.

The XK/KJ tow hooks bolt right in place on the factory XJ/MJ brackets.  I was able to remove the original hooks and install the other hooks with no other work than unclipping the lower deflector at the corners and bending it out of the way.  The deflector itself would probably need some additional clearance cut into it.  My lower deflector was stock and I modified it myself to clear the factory hooks.  A deflector with factory cut outs for factory hooks might clear the XK/KJ hooks, I don't know.

Here are some pics.

1. Factory tow hooks, with added retaining clips.

2. XK/KJ tow hooks compared to XJ/MJ tow hooks.  The XJ/MJ hooks use nuts and bolts, the XK/KJ hooks are threaded and use bolts only.

3.  XK/KJ tow hook part number, 52059410AB.

4.  XK/KJ tow hook installed, pretty tight to that lower bumper bolt.

[eaglescout526]

Something I learned and saw, AMC used warn hooks which can literally be found anywhere. I remember when I went to harbor freight one day that I saw those hooks with retainers that keep the strap or rope in place. I put a set of these on my XJ, but I found them at my grandparents house interestingly enough. I’ll snap a picture later. 
 

 

Nevermind. See the clips now. Haha. 

[fiatslug87]

On mine the tips of the hooks are up against the air dam so I don’t think anything could fall out. Your MJ/XJ picture looks similar without the retaining clips.