Install of oem tow hooks on a 14 Express

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R.L.K.

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Are these brackets for being able to install the tow hooks outward with an Express / painted bumper ?

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Ken226

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Yes. They allow them to be mounted with the open side outboard, and centered in the sport/express bumper opening. There's a pic on page 3 or 4, don't recall which page, that shows them installed in my 2013 Sport.
 

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I finished creating the CNC g-code programs for these. A total of 2 setups, with 3 operations. The total setup time will be about 10 minutes per bracket, with an hour total run time, each bracket

Total is 20 minutes of labor per set, actual handling by a machinist, 2 hours of CNC run time per set, about 5 min each to bead blast/paint, and an hour in the paint curing oven for the whole batch.

Any excess proceeds from the price of the brackets will cover beer and replacement carbide :)
 

Ken226

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Prototype Bracket Fresh Off The Machine & Test Fit

Heres the Prototype:

IMG_20170417_083823301_zpsjxgpinp3.jpg

And the test fitment:

IMG_20170417_083844784_zpsbxh1iw2f.jpg


Centered in the Opening:

IMG_20170417_083904651_zpscz0rcjru.jpg

Hooks pointed outboard:

IMG_20170417_083911605_zpsp0390qoe.jpg

Bottom of the hooks have plenty of clearance, theres no interference with the bumper:

IMG_20170417_090942265_zpse6i6z9jz.jpg


The bracket to bumper interface uses oval holes, with allow about 3/8 inch of left/right play in the fitment. This should accommodate any variation in the bumper bolt pattern from truck to truck, and also give the user a little room at adjust fitment for his individual bumper.

The bracket to hook interface uses slots rather than holes. This retains the front impact breakaway function in the original design.

When pulling, at approximately 500lbs of force, the bracket flexes sufficiently that the rearmost bolt, with the rubber shock absorber, takes the rest of the pulling load. However in the event of a front end collision, having rigid frame attached tow hooks would defeat the purpose of a crumple zone bumper. In a front end collision, @ several gs of force the hooks attachment bolts would be push free of the brackets slots. The hooks rear strap style connection would also be allowed to push free in the event of a front end collision.
 

crazykid1994

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You sir are amazing and I cannot wait for this so I can install tow hooks on my truck


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Fantastic information & fantastic intuition for sure !

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I have edited my OP here to add info for Ken226 's brackets for outward pointing hooks ! See the end of post #1 for details .

Thanks Ken226 for your efforts sir !
 
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Ken226

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Fantastic information & fantastic intuition for sure !

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I have edited my OP here to add info for Ken226 's brackets for outward pointing hooks ! See the end of post #1 for details .

Thanks Ken226 for your efforts sir !


No problem. Happy to do it.

I finished the first set of brackets today and installed them on my own truck. While doing the installation, I made notes of the things that be a PITA, and the order in which things went the smoothest.

I've type up some instructions. This isn't the only way to do it, but it will help make your installation go smoother. I'll post it up here so everyone will have plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the installation before their respective brackets arrive.

Ill be ready to start shipping the first sets tomorrow.

Installation instructions

Bracket must be installed on bumper separately from hooks as the hook to bracket stud assembly will restrict access to the bracket/bumper nuts.

1. Remove bumper to frame attachment nuts:
R13IEUG_zpsjnk6mkaf.jpg

2. Position Bracket with offset hook slots as shown. (passenger side shown).

R07J0H5_zpsv2xlmnvo.jpg


3. a. Install the bracket nuts until just lightly snug. This will allow the brackets position to be adjusted. Slide bracket up against the tab which is protruding from the bumper and toward the outboard side of the truck. The bumpers mounting flange will be appx 1/8 of an inch below the level of the bottom of the bracket. (this is intentional, the tow hooks bolt holes have a raised boss which will fill this gap). This raises the bracket to the correct position in the bumper.

R07J0H5_zpsv2xlmnvo.jpg


4. Torque bracket to bumper nuts to 65 ft lbs.

5. Position hook and stud assembly into bracket mounting slots as shown:

RQPY4YR_zpsfssb3lu8.jpg


6. Thread rear screw through hook and into truck frame first, thread into hole about halfway but leave loose. Next install the nuts that affix the hook to the offset bracket.

ROKD0T3_zpszptmdzxf.jpg

1st torque the hook to bracket nuts to 65 ft lbs. Next, torque the hooks rear screw to 65ft lbs.

7. Take copious high quality photographs and post on our Ramforum.com thread.


Result: Hook is centered and ready to pull stumps.


R8O5GFO_zps3kp19vo7.jpg
 

Ken226

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All, I've become aware that I'm likely in violation of the forums rules regarding offering items up for sale.

The type of parts my company makes aren't something that truck enthusiasts would typically be interested in. Most of our products are simply subcomponents of large engines, turbines, and various arms and munitions components. As such, it isn't to our benefit to become a preferred vendor.

Those of you that I've already committed to, and have made the parts for, i will be contacting as previously agreed to, but I must respectfully decline any additional offers.
 

00R/T

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All, I've become aware that I'm likely in violation of the forums rules regarding offering items up for sale.

The type of parts my company makes aren't something that truck enthusiasts would typically be interested in. Most of our products are simply subcomponents of large engines, turbines, and various arms and munitions components. As such, it isn't to our benefit to become a preferred vendor.

Those of you that I've already committed to, and have made the parts for, i will be contacting as previously agreed to, but I must respectfully decline any additional offers.



This is something I've complained about before. Something needs to be done about the rules to allow for cases like this. As someone who has owned and run forums for years, I absolutely understand the issue with for-profit businesses taking advantage of a free advertising medium. However, in cases like this where a member is making an item available solely to provide the community with something unavailable in the marketplace and not doing it for profit, I think allowances need to be made. With the rules the way they are, the only ones who suffer in such cases are the members, without whom there wouldn't be a forum.
 

SitKneelBend

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This is something I've complained about before. Something needs to be done about the rules to allow for cases like this. As someone who has owned and run forums for years, I absolutely understand the issue with for-profit businesses taking advantage of a free advertising medium. However, in cases like this where a member is making an item available solely to provide the community with something unavailable in the marketplace and not doing it for profit, I think allowances need to be made. With the rules the way they are, the only ones who suffer in such cases are the members, without whom there wouldn't be a forum.
100% agree.

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Agreed .
I've seen a few guys banned that were making items basically at cost just to help out other forum members.
I can see it if there's a paying certified Vendor here that is being severely undercut by a non vendor making the same item & selling for cost

In this case of the Tow hook Brackets by Ken226 , I just don't understand because no one is manufacturing anything like this to my knowledge ? This bracket is not patented or copyrighted by anyone nor are they available for purchase by a vendor here or elsewhere for that matter , again to my knowledge?

I hope Ken226 can achieve some sort of pass or exception from forum moderator's ?
More importantly I certinly do hope this (RULE ) of the forum doesn't discourage NEW MEMBER Ken226 from staying on board with us and being a productive member here.

This forum is a Fantastic wealth of knowledge for all Generations of Dodge / Ram Trucks and knowledgeable , helpfull and insightful members like Ken226 is what makes this forum so great and the reason why I have continued on here as much as I do .
Good luck Ken226 !

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SitKneelBend

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The funny thing is, I think he was just humoring me to begin with and I suckered him into making another set! Nice guy! Exactly the kind of forum member you want to stick around!

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I'll certainly stay, seems like a great place to spend some spare time.

I also hold no hard feelings towards the forum owners and moderators, I can empathize with their position. I only intended to make a limited few of these, and it really does eat up tooling.

I've went though 4 end mills so far, having made 6 sets. My Niagara USA made 1/4" ti-ni carbide end mills cost about 25.00 each.
Even though the A36 steel in the brackets is soft, the angle shape makes it difficult to hold without any cantilevered portions, so it chatters. Carbide doesn't last long in the presence of chatter/vibration. The 20' section of steel cost about 60.00, the end mills about 25.00 ea times 4 and about 12 hours of setup and babysitting our baby open-VMC while drinking beer.

It's not a moneymaking thing, it's a 'making badass trucks just a little more badass' thing.
 

Ken226

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emails outbound

Emails outbound. If its not in your inbox, check your spam folder.

My email address is from the ancient Microsoft Network, which no longer exists. Grandfathered in by Hotmail, as such it ends up in the spam folder a lot. If you don't see it in your inbox or spam folder at all, verify that you sent me the correct email address, as typos do sometimes happen.
 

JIMBOX

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:) I'm in the groove Ken and the checks in the mail--

I work (play) on this truck almost every day--(jeep replacement)-

Doing wheels now, I gotta tailgate ladder today and tow hooks next !

:crazy: JIMBO
 

00R/T

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My brackets showed up today and the quality is absolutely top notch. My hooks are still en route so I can't try them out yet, unfortunately. Thanks again Ken!
 

crazykid1994

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My brackets showed up today and the quality is absolutely top notch. My hooks are still en route so I can't try them out yet, unfortunately. Thanks again Ken!



Sounds familiar. My hooks will arrive Monday. Brackets look amazing. And heavy duty


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Received mine today too. Absolutely awesome Ken! You are the best damn necro-poster this forum (maybe any forum) has ever seen!

Thanks again and great work!

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Ricks Ram

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I'm bumned. I missed the boat on this one. Totally my fault. I didn't see the post in time. I have had my tow hooks installed reversed for years and they look and work fine but it would be nice to have them facing the correct way and be centered better in the opening.
 
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I'm bumned. I missed the boat on this one. Totally my fault. I didn't see the post in time. I have had my tow hooks installed reversed for years and they look and work fine but it would be nice to have them facing the correct way and be centered better in the opening.
It's too bad forum rules prevent guys like Ken226 from Making and selling a fantastic product NOT in competition with any vendor on the forum or Not for no profit ......sad

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