[PIA] Westcott tow hook install on SR5 with aftermarket crossmember

[PNWkip]

Just sharing this for my poverty trim folks...

I chose Westcott's Billet Tow Hooks because they are made in the USA, high quality, and match my build.

However, they are quite a bit thicker at the mounting points than the OEM hooks. In addition to that, I have the aftermarket RCI crossmember for my skid plate. That crossmember adds thickness at the mounting points on the truck and is also designed in a way that tow hooks don't sit 100% flush - they're kind of cock eyed.

Side note: if there's a better crossmember out there that accommodates the width of front recovery points, let me know. I don't love that the recovery points don't sit flush and RCI's response was "it should be fine".

Anyways, these things created a problem where the OEM mounting bolts only grabbed a few threads past their tapered ends. When I went to torque to 75# they stripped on one side. I'm actually glad they did though because the other side didn't strip, but was also only secured by a few threads which could be dangerous in a recovery situation.

I went all over town looking for longer M12 x1.25 bolts to secure them, but ended up having to drive to a specialty screw shop in the next city over. I probably should have taken my skid off, but instead I threaded the OEM bolts back on with the crossmember to secure it (using some elbow grease like a dumb knuckle dragger) which made the situation even more annoying since the threads got messed up.

God bless the guy at napa who didn't have the bolt, but sent me with a tap "in case" I had to tap all the mounting points ... Which I did end up having to do...

My new bolts thread right in and the hooks look great. All in all I wish I would have just stuck with the OEM hooks to avoid this PIA but I had already sold them and there is a restocking fee at Westcott, so I was committed.

If you've got a TRD, I'd highly recommend these hooks! They are awesome and well made and should marry right up. If you have an SR5 with an aftermarket crossmember it might be worth it to grab four M12 x 1.25 @ 40 or 50mm bolts before you swap out.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for a better crossmember though because I think that didn't help the situation.

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[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

They are pretty, but remember!!! They are bolted wear the original tow point, ( weak one's at that ) were located. They are not designed to recover your truck if it’s buried off-road.
There are better options for your truck if you think you might need to be recovered.
Cheapest one I bought, ( and now I don't need ) I believe would be Rough Country Recovery Points. They are substantial and bolt back onto the frame rails. In the description, it says it will not fit the TRD Off-Road with cross member, but they can be notched like I did, and they worked great. ( they're not shiny pretty, but you can do that with a shackle.
Or you can go the most expensive route like I ended it up doing after being in impatient, wanting everything before it was finally developed.
I love the way the front end turned out, and I just wish they would finish developing the rear Overland bumper!
The world of modifications is very expensive..

 

[PNWkip]

They are pretty, but remember!!! They are bolted wear the original tow point, ( weak one's at that ) were located. They are not designed to recover your truck if it’s buried off-road.
There are better options for your truck if you think you might need to be recovered.
Cheapest one I bought, ( and now I don't need ) I believe would be Rough Country Recovery Points. They are substantial and bolt back onto the frame rails. In the description, it says it will not fit the TRD Off-Road with cross member, but they can be notched like I did, and they worked great. ( they're not shiny pretty, but you can do that with a shackle.
Or you can go the most expensive route like I ended it up doing after being in impatient, wanting everything before it was finally developed.
I love the way the front end turned out, and I just wish they would finish developing the rear Overland bumper!
The world of modifications is very expensive..

I think a lot of folks would disagree with you regarding the front recovery points in a slow recovery situation with proper hooks. I don't have enough experience myself to say for sure. But what I can tell you is that I wouldn't put rough country metal on my truck. Anywhere.

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