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Tow eye location/relocation point

liv1sliv1sMember
I have had my car towed a few times for various reasons and one thing that always bugged me was the tow truck driver having to place the J-hooks under the front of the car so the winch can pull it up onto the flatbed.

I have seen tow eyes on race cars and newer import cars with screw-in(removable) tow eyes and thought it was a neat idea. My friends with Porsches and BMWs have a removeable tow eye in the factory tool kit. They remove the bumper cover and screw them in when the need arises.

This picture is of a tow eye they sell for Bimmers with a ring that swivels.


My question is - Has anyone ever attempted to install a similar device on a pre-L. On my friend's L model, he removed the bumpers and the mounts, would be perfect location to install a threaded mount (modified from the original bumper mount and covered with a plug when not it use). but, on the early cars, that is not an option.
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bosswrenchbosswrenchMember
Agreed- the stock "tow loops" under the front crossmember are so close to useless that they are only extra weight along for the ride. I once tried to use them on a friends car, and first- there's not enough space to attach any reasonably sized rope, chain or tow-strap. And because they're bent horizontal as-stock, any substantial force on them (if you actually got a tow strap hooked on) would simply bend them down. Finally, if you have any sort of front spoiler (and like an Aviaid 10-qt oil pan, I think ALL Panteras should have both), the angle from the stock tow-loops to the truck would wreck any spoiler in short order. Dunno what the answer is; maybe- don't break down?
liv1sliv1sMember
quote:
maybe- don't break down?
That's funny Jack.
You are right though. I helped a friend of mine deliver his GT5 and the air dam was only couple of inches(if that) off the ground and that j-hook was mounted underneath. The tow truck driver was sweating as we were both watching very closely.

I was thinking about Larry's chassis rigidity kit. If I install that, the load would be better spread out to attach a tow eye on. Luckily, I don't have to worry about an air dam.

Aloha
joulesjoules"Racing is Life, anything before or after is just waiting" - Steve McQueen
My only concern with the proposed mounting point is it's the lowest most foreward part of the car and hence it is what hits the road or kerb first. Look at most Pantera's in/under the front valance area and they are usually beaten up from kerb rash.

Secondly for a car with an air dam I think you'll find that point will be well behind the dam, certainly on my GT5 air dam that point is well under the flat portion of the dam.

What I intend to do for a GP4 car that will have an airdam is weld or bolt in a threaded tube just behind the grill and as you suggest just screw in the eye when required.

Good luck,
Julian
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