R50/53 Show me your towhooks
Well, finally go the powder coat kit and cooked up my tow hook ala Outmotoring. Given the tight tolerance between the ring and the mount I thought I'd be clever and tape it off. I found out that overspraying and sanding yields better results but not terrible for first time DIY powercoating. Next weekend I'll probably hit it with a second coat to darken it a bit and also clean up the silver on the edges.
-/flea
Silver aluminum hook: ~$50
Eastwood Hoat Coat powder coat gun/kit: ~$80
Toaster oven from e-bay: ~$20
Total time about an hour start to finish.
And since Comcast web hosting blows the link:
http://home.comcast.net/~fleance/tow_hook.jpg
-/flea
Silver aluminum hook: ~$50
Eastwood Hoat Coat powder coat gun/kit: ~$80
Toaster oven from e-bay: ~$20
Total time about an hour start to finish.
And since Comcast web hosting blows the link:
http://home.comcast.net/~fleance/tow_hook.jpg
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
Here's mine. Waiting till I get the aero kit painted and installed.
Honestly, why did you even bother posting?
Hey tow hook fans,
Honestly, I'm not attempting to be a smarta$s with my post, but I don't understand why people would want to drive a street car with tow hooks inplace, much less accentuate them with bright colors. To me, it makes sense on race/track cars but for road use? Wouldn't you get daily ribbing from people asking why you need a tow hook? First laugh/question being, "Are MINI's so unreliable that you need to have the hook ready at all times?"
Again, I'm not criticising or making fun... I just don't understand drawing attention to a tow device, especially on a British car. I have my OEM hook, but it's tucked away with hope of never using it.
Honestly, I'm not attempting to be a smarta$s with my post, but I don't understand why people would want to drive a street car with tow hooks inplace, much less accentuate them with bright colors. To me, it makes sense on race/track cars but for road use? Wouldn't you get daily ribbing from people asking why you need a tow hook? First laugh/question being, "Are MINI's so unreliable that you need to have the hook ready at all times?"
Again, I'm not criticising or making fun... I just don't understand drawing attention to a tow device, especially on a British car. I have my OEM hook, but it's tucked away with hope of never using it.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 4
From: Westminster, CO
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 4
From: Westminster, CO
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Palatine, IL
come on now, its a fair question. i have always wondered the same thing as well. it seems to be a fascination with people on here to have cool looking tow hooks. to me it just seems like a simple, cheap mod that allows another output of creativity. however, its not really to my liking.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Highlands Ranch, CO
come on now, its a fair question. i have always wondered the same thing as well. it seems to be a fascination with people on here to have cool looking tow hooks. to me it just seems like a simple, cheap mod that allows another output of creativity. however, its not really to my liking.
-/flea
They'd need 500 ft-lbs of tq. or 350F on my bumper subframe to get off of mine. Anyone know a vendor with the point to arrows?
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 3
From: Rootstown, OH
Well, you could go visit motoringundergorund.com, sign up for a username, introduce yourself, then search for the thread on the logo graphics (arrow inside a dashed circle) and use that. Becoming a full member requires more but the graphics are still available to use.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 2
From: Concord, California
If you want a sticker:
1. cut one yourself
2. The M/U sticker is cool (My son uses it that way)
3. I know SCCA has them in the race needed section
4. I found this at PEGASUS Auto racing
1. cut one yourself
2. The M/U sticker is cool (My son uses it that way)
3. I know SCCA has them in the race needed section
4. I found this at PEGASUS Auto racing
Last edited by COR BLMY; Dec 1, 2007 at 09:51 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
I thought he posted a pic once, may have been a joke.btw: Here's my towhook.
Last edited by mini d; Dec 1, 2007 at 10:08 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, az
Thanks. I could actually do that myself but I figured someone must have done it and that someone probably dressed up the hook in some way or another. And if they went to that trouble they probably also took a pic or two and might be interested in showing it. But I admire your generosity.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, az
Thanks. I could actually do that myself but I figured someone must have done it and that someone probably dressed up the hook in some way or another. And if they went to that trouble they probably also took a pic or two and might be interested in showing it. But I admire your generosity.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Orlando. FL
I want this one!
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
http://store.autotecknic.com/bmwmporatowh.html
It's a BMW towhook, but the same thread pattern. It's a nice looking piece and HEAVY so it's the real deal. BTW, it was $110 when I bought it and the one in the link is only $64 but I'm pretty sure it's the same one.
Just use some locktite. If someone just wants to be a jerk, it would be too difficult for them to get it off. If they really want it, they would have to have a leverage tool and it would still be a pain for them to get it.
It's a BMW towhook, but the same thread pattern. It's a nice looking piece and HEAVY so it's the real deal. BTW, it was $110 when I bought it and the one in the link is only $64 but I'm pretty sure it's the same one.
Just use some locktite. If someone just wants to be a jerk, it would be too difficult for them to get it off. If they really want it, they would have to have a leverage tool and it would still be a pain for them to get it.