Another Hook thread (Sorry) Navara

[Del Fuego]

Hey guys and gals, I'm sorry to start another one of these but I am lost. I have searched the forum and google and my brain, and the underside of my truck but am not really coming up with anything that helps. If there is already a thread or link that will supply the answer please link and I will go read that

I have purchased 4 Rated recovery hooks for my '89 Navara (D21?) Double cab and I am baffled as to where to mount the damned things. the only place that looks like it is accessible is drilling and bolting to the factory tow eye things that hang down and are part of/welded to the chassis... this thing:



... however I am sure I have read somewhere that isn't a go?

I can't for the life of me find anywhere that I could bolt to, the actual chassis rails seem to be enclosed, including the front so I don't know how I would get in there to tighten bolts if I drill up from underneath and I don't think I can go all the way through... There is this plate:



But again it is welded to the chassis rather than being actually "part" of it anyway any assistance would be VERY welcome!

excuse the wall of text, trying to describe accurately what the situation is and that a new thread was by no means my first port of call

[tweake]

http://www.navara.asia/forum.php has a few bits on it.

fitting orginal hooks is easy as they bolt straight into the threads you see in the bottom pic.
however most hooks now are shorter between the bolts.

some use one of the standard nuts in the chassi and drill a hole for the 2nd. then push the nut inside the chassi and somehow manage to do it up.
it pays to put a spreader on first that also bolts into the 2nd standard hole.

i went different way. fitted hook to the tie down location and beefed it up back onto standard bolt locations.

[Del Fuego]

This is perfect! thank you so much

[kiwipete]

That's the same way I did mine before I made the winch brackets. Worked a treat too.

Do you have a towbar on your Navara?

[Del Fuego]

yeah looks like it will work a treat *wanders off to procure steel*

yes I do have a tow bar... havn't looked at rear mounting points yet but any suggestions very welcome

[kiwipete]

yeah looks like it will work a treat *wanders off to procure steel*

yes I do have a tow bar... havn't looked at rear mounting points yet but any suggestions very welcome

I will put up a picture later today showing how mine is secured to the tow bar.

With a good heavy section of angle iron, the front hook will be rock solid when you bolt it in with 4 bolts. The two vertical ones that go into the chassis rail have a fine pitch thread. On the horizontal ones I used a m20? or similar bolt to best match the size hole that is in the rear of the tow mount. The front horizontal one was just a common M12? 8.8 bolt. Make sure all bolts are minimum 8.8 too.
?= shoddy memory first thing in morning,

[tweake]

the captive nuts in the chassis are fairly crap thread. i had to tap them out. sorry can't remember what bolts fit it.

[kiwipete]

the captive nuts in the chassis are fairly crap thread. i had to tap them out. sorry can't remember what bolts fit it.

I have had no problems with mine so far, touch wood.

[kiwipete]

Here are two pictures of how my rear tow hook is mounted to the tow bar. The block of steel is threaded and the bolts attach to that.





Hope this helps you.

[u13turbo]

Here are two pictures of how my rear tow hook is mounted to the tow bar. The block of steel is threaded and the bolts attach to that.





Hope this helps you.

Perfect! this is exactly what i need to know. How deep did you tap the holes for it? I was thinking of chopping my tow bar up so it sits higher, so that i dont get hung up on it as much, Its good for protecting the back bumper.

[kiwipete]

I can have a look tomorrow to see how far its threaded. Was done by the tow bar manufacturer when it was put on the truck. I should have got them to do one each side though.

[Del Fuego]

The frustration, I am having it

So the threads on the factory locations are rusted out/up and i can't get a suitable bolt in there.

So I figured the next logical solution was to get the same type of plate 50*50*5mm angle welded into that position, welded to the chassis and the factory tow eye which should give a plenty sturdy mounting to fix the hooks to, same setup as above but welded all the way rather than the 4 bolt setup. Problem is none of the engineering/welding places I went to will weld to the chassis?

What is my next step? do I have to tap a new thread or something? it which case how/who can do this... or does anyone have a tame welder who will do the welding? or any other suggestions.. this is driving me mad.

Thanks again

[tweake]

chassis welding is a pain. real headache getting WOF even when its done buy certed welder.

how bad are the captive nuts rusted? if not to bad just tap them out to a larger size.

[Del Fuego]

It seems to be just the threads are all bunged up/colapsed/mutilated.

Should be fine to tap a new thread at a guess... any idea who does that sort of thing? I don't have the gear/knowledge...

[tweake]

mechanic might have the right size. otherwise engineering shop.

[fullthrottle]

Here are two pictures of how my rear tow hook is mounted to the tow bar. The block of steel is threaded and the bolts attach to that.

Hi kiwipete

Out of interest can the rear hooks just be mounted to the same points as where the towbar is mounted to the chassis? Also how did you do your front hooks?

[kiwipete]

Here are two pictures of how my rear tow hook is mounted to the tow bar. The block of steel is threaded and the bolts attach to that.

Hi kiwipete

Out of interest can the rear hooks just be mounted to the same points as where the towbar is mounted to the chassis? Also how did you do your front hooks?

The easiest way to mount the front hooks is to get some 50x50x5mm angle iron. Drill and bolt this to where the factory hook was mounted, drill the other face to fit the rated hook.

As for the towbar mount, I cannot answer this without seeing your setup sorry.