Hooks for front

[doubleadesign]

OK, I have a dumb question. Is it possible to add 2 big hooks under the front? I get a few comments about the VX looking like the Warthog from Halo. Well, just a little. I'm sure you all get the "shoe" reference too. Just wondering what the board thinks.
thanks!

[paultvx]

You want to add two tow hooks just so it can look like the Warthog? Hmm.

[doubleadesign]

not likely, but i just wanted to toss around the idea. I've seen plenty of other VX mods pretty much destroy the VX coolness. Just tip it right into the garish category.

[WormGod]

I would go the distance and mount the manned machine cannon too. :p

"M41 LAAG: The Warthog's M41 light anti-aircraft gun is a three-barreled, electric-powered, linkless, drum-fed weapon. It fires 450 to 550 12.7x99mm armor penetrating rounds per minute. Turret traverse rate is 100 degrees per second and weapon elevation rate is 60 degrees per second. Recoil from sustained fire is prodigious and negatively impacts accuracy at long range."

http://halo.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen.0501/jeepfire.jpg

[doubleadesign]

The hooks just might bring out the "agro" of my Baja Claws .

[SPAZZ]

You know I have been wanting some larger than stock hooks for the front of mt VX too, as I have Tones Skid plate and it does not leave much room for stock hooks and it is difficult trying to find hooks that are larger or even loops insteads of hooks at all. None of the ones I find match up on the holes. Plus, I can get only one of the stock hooks to fit with the Diamond Plate Skid Plate installed.
But, it would be awesome to have dual hooks in front or even the loops that stick out far enough beyond my Diamond Plate Skid Plate to be practical.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Right after I bought my VX I tried to get another O.E.M. tow hook for the driver side frame rail...as the holes are already drilled and tapped to accept one...found out in the Isuzu parts catalog that only one part # was listed...thought there would be a "mate" for the opposite side so that they look symmetrical.

[Tone]

You can use the hook off of another Isuzu such as the Rodeo but it will point down instead of across like the stock hook does. This hook works with my skid plate as well.

[Joe_Black]

Hey, if you'll pick up the tab for the materials and shipping then I'll fab a pair for you. You will need to do the polishing and chrome plating locally yourself. Figure on less than $200 from my end including shipping. My plasma cutter can handle up to 1.5 inch stock if you want solid hooks, otherwise they'd be hollow but plenty strong.

[LittleBeast]

I just purchased two chrome tow hooks for the front and a Chrome exhaust tip to compliment the one chrome tow hook I got for the back. I think the front ones look awesome (almost extending the fangs in the grill) and the back one works well only with the Chrome exhaust tip to compliment it on the other side, I tried it without and it looked off centered or something.

I have reached my picture upload limit for today, but I will put better pics of the front Chrome tow hooks up soon. Tell me what you all think.
In Christ,
Ryan
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross001small.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross001small.JPG)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross005small.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross005small.JPG)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross006small.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross006small.JPG)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross007small.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross007small.JPG)

[Moncha]

Looks nice but, do remember they will "catch" on certain approaches if you off road.

Can you shoot a close up pic of how you mounted them to the frame? I have a set that I never put on.

[LittleBeast]

Moncha, good point they would definitely snag on stuff off roading, that is why here in Houston I keep them on and when I go to the farm in Moody, TX (don't ask town of maybe 60 people) I bring along the old black tow hook to put back on just in case. I mean it took all of 5 minutes to install them. My dad put some on his Toyota 4x4 back in the day when he was into that stuff and he said when it is just for show it doesn't matter if all the holes line up. So simple fix I just got the two holed version of the chrome hooks (not the kit) and put the back hole on the back threaded bolt already on the VX using the two bolts already on the VX to hold both hooks on (one bolt per hook). As for the back, I bought the three holed version of the tow hook and two of the holes lined up enough to put tow massive bolts on there.

Ldub I bought them at a local 4 Wheel Parts place like two minutes from my place, but I did find them on-line at
http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=SUS&prodline=464&catName=Suspension&man=PRO&parentProdline=SusAccPRO&expand=sub7
The price in the store was well below what is on-line by the way, but still at only $8 a piece I think it is a great deal!
Here are the final pictures.http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross004small.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross004small.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross012small.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross012small.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross002small.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross002small.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VehiCross009small.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/VehiCross009small.jpg)

[etlsport]

has anyone had an issue getting a second tow hook on? i found a hook identical to the one on the front of the VX (pulled from the back of an '89 trooper) but the bolts do not want to go into the location opposite of the stock hook, i even used the bolts pulled from the trooper in the stock location and tried the stock bolts in the other location.. still just did not want to turn... any ideas? should i just get a bigger wrench and crank em down.. i guess theyd never come off then lol

[Ldub]

Maybe run a tap through first ?

[etlsport]

i guess i could do that.. the holes look threaded already, the bolts turn the first maybe 2 turns, then it gets really tight, and i can still turn it.. theres just a lot of resistance, i pulled the bolt out after about 4-5 rotations with heavy resistance.. didnt appear to be any metal shavings or anything.. maybe its just a really tight squeeze to make sure they dont rattle out? and the stock one has already been broken in, so it was easier to get them in

[Ldub]

Another thing to check...is the thread "pitch" the same ?
It sounds like it could be a fine thread bolt in a "normal" threaded hole ?

[Tone]

I have several hooks off of some Rodeo's that fit but they aim down instead of sideways. The bolt for the mount is a fine thread M10mmx1.25 and Lowe's should have them or a commercial bolt supply. Email me if you want the Rodeo hooks and we'll work something out to cover freight.

[etlsport]

thanks tone, i was using the right size bolts...i actually tried to use the bolts from the stock hook in the other location.. they simply do not want to go in.. not sure why... i also have a hook identical to our stock one, came off the back of an 89 trooper.. ill mess with it more tomorrow after classes

[Moncha]

They probably are running into junk built up.. Like Lawrence said, run a tap through the holes just to clean 'em up. Wished we could find a true opposite of the OEM hook.