Tow Hooks

[FutureHummerOwner]

I know that I probably deserve to be shot for asking this question on this board but I'll give it a shot. Can the front and rear tow hooks actually be used to tow or pull the H3 or are they just decoration? I'd hate to have someone attach a winch to them and rip them off because I was too embarrassed to ask the question.

[HummerNewbie]

They are 100% functional.

[fourfourto]

:iagree: they mount right to the frame :D

[H3 Hummer 64]

I have a question to add to this. I mounted an aries brush guard and it came with two plastic "cushions" to sandwich the metal of the brush guard for mounting. So all together its about a half inch think. Hence the bolts go in half an inch less. Is that still enough tread to hold the tow hook on when pulling something?

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Factory tow shackles are plenty strong, but watch out for the aftermarket ones. Unless specifically stated, aftermarket chrome and billet shackles are for decoration only. If you use them and they break, watch out for shrapnel.

[wpage]

Factory tow shackles are plenty strong, but watch out for the aftermarket ones. Unless specifically stated, aftermarket chrome and billet shackles are for decoration only. If you use them and they break, watch out for shrapnel.
Good advise. :beerchug:

[Big Z]

I know that I probably deserve to be shot for asking this question on this board but I'll give it a shot. Can the front and rear tow hooks actually be used to tow or pull the H3 or are they just decoration? I'd hate to have someone attach a winch to them and rip them off because I was too embarrassed to ask the question.

Might try reading the online manuals, and looking @ a few rigs, and.....and....YES!.....You should be :twak: :o ...And :twak: again for asking that Question!!! ;) :D

[StarsnBars]

I too, have a Aries brushguard with about the same bolt threads remaining and have pulled a couple peeps out of mud with my front hooks, no problem. There still real solid and I trust them for just about anything. Hope this helps,, See ya,,

[Agriv8r]

very capable of pulling just about anything out of the whatever

[hummer_metal]

Hence the bolts go in half an inch less.

I am suprised, a little, that nobody else here picked up on this comment above.

The first thing you need to do before you off road thinking you got the rig, is to replace those bolts that are .500 of an inch too short.

The bolts might shear off under load, the tensiles strength is gathered over the distance of how deep the bolt is in. Meaning all the threads are working together. Hey don't ask me I am not an Engineer, I just know this stuff.

Now that you have, lets say its a 1/2 13 UNC thread, could be 5/8 11 UNC I don't know, but you have 5 or 6 less threads to hold the strength.

Before you think you can run to your local DIY store to replace them, try a auto parts store and make sure they are GRADE 8 bolts. Anything less, and you will be drilling out broken bolts and re-tapping the holes. Which btw will have even less thread area to hold because re-tapping only allows you maybe if your lucky 60% thread, where as now its about 85%.

[Desert Dan]

hummer_metal
That crossed my mind when I saw them putting on my brush guard at the dealer.

I hope the bolts are long enough with the factory brushguard?

[f5fstop]

Rest assured, if installed correctly, the factory brush guard will not affect the tow hooks, or crash worthiness, including the SIR discrimination sensor in the front of the vehicle.
Before GM can sell any factory authorized accessories, they must certify them for crash worthiness, including the use around air bag sensors.

[H3 Hummer 64]

Well StarsnBars has actually tried, then I think it should be fine. But does anybody know if the hole that the bolts screws into are as deep as the bolt or does the bolt hang out the back? If it hangs out the back then you're not loosing any strenght because those treads aren't gripping on anything anyway.