Nissan 370Z Forum - Aftermarket tow hook vs OEM advice

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Aftermarket tow hook vs OEM advice

So I dd and park my car in possibly the worst place in the US, in Manhattan (NYC). Anyone from around here knows people just do not give a **** if your car is worth $500 or $500,000. For that reason, I've used the OEM tow hook as a front bumper safeguard over the years. I actually have it only turned 3 half turns, which makes it secured just enough that it's not loose, so that it sticks further out, and also sitting vertically. It's worked very well as I've noticed a number of occasions where the black paint I put on it has been etched up. I've actually had a d1ckhead parked right on top of my tow hook. Another inch back and it would've made contact with my bumper. The most recent time wasn't as fortunate which involved an SUV yellow cab parked up on my bumper. Luckily I was able to buff out the damage after an hour or so.

So that brings me to the question about the hinge-type aftermarket tow hooks. I noticed that they have hex screws on the side of them. I'd like to know if they are able to be tightened so that it won't swing back when I mount it vertically. If so, that's great because the reason for me looking into them is because the head of it looks bigger than OEM so it'll provide more coverage. Also, how long are they compared to OEM?

If anyone has pictures of them next to an OEM one, that'll be great as well.
Thank you.

Yea, the set screw can be tighten up to keep the head from swinging around. But if you want it so that the head sticks straight out. It will move when hit. The set screw ain't all that big.

I'd also like to see some pics!

Is the Oem tow hook only available to certain options like the touring package or Nismo?
Mine is base with sports package didn't have the tow hook.:mad:

I guess somebody took mine. Got my Z bnew no tow hook in the boot!
Oh well bought an aftermarket one.

I drive into manhattan pretty often too and I use the mower axle license plate bracket with spike bolts. So if they decide to play bumper cars while parking, they end up with holes in the bumper.

:icon18:

- great idea!

i suppose cool while parked, but very uncool if you bumped someone by accident. :ugh:

a small indent from screw heads which other party might let go.... vs gaping hole. :ugh2:

A friend of mine got one advertised as being compatible for his Nismo, and when he got it the damn thing was almost two feet long lol, stuck out wayyyy past his bumper. That might be an option for you.

Zdayz 2014!!

I made a tow hook from billet alumnum on a lathe and just added a standard D ring from eBay on the end of it.... Don't plan on using it other than for show. I keep the steel one in the trunk for emergencies.

The D ring is indeed set with a screw but I keep it fairly loose. It doesn't hit anything.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/mu3amyty.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/22/5uqaju2y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/21/aja2epe2.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/yha6y7a3.jpg

nice job, wheee! :tup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 2903073)

i suppose cool while parked, but very uncool if you bumped someone by accident. :ugh:

a small indent from screw heads which other party might let go.... vs gaping hole. :ugh2:

If I can't fit in a spot without bumping anyone I wouldn't even try. Parking in manhattan is some of the worst. At times I see cars boxed each other in. I had someone's exhaust pipe tip imprinted into my license plate!