1980 tow hook picture

[2002jm]

Does anyone have a closeup picture of the tow hook and the part that holds the tow hook in the frame rail?????
jm

[wkohler]

I can take one for you. There's nothing on the front of my M535i right now, so you should be able to see it. Honestly, there's not much to it, so you could probably make it. Unfortunately, I don't know what the piece looks like outside the frame rail.

Here's a couple photos from Adam's FAQ on installing the airdam.



It doesn't look like it's much more than a piece of L-stock with essentially a nut welded inside. It's unlikely you'll find the actual tow hook though. I'm thankful I have the one for my car, but it's bent.



Adam said he got his mounted a little crooked,so it's a bit high.

[2002jm]

Chris: Just what I needed. I am going to ask the guy across the street to make me one.....once I find the tow hook.
thanks again,
jm

[Mike W.]

Wow, I thought the OP was asking about the tiedown hooks on US spec cars. My guess is that the hook itself is the same or similar to later US spec cars, my E36 and 39 both have that, but the E28 of course did not. Similar as in easier to get a later one than try and fab one, though the body fab might be necessary.

[wkohler]

Wow, I thought the OP was asking about the tiedown hooks on US spec cars. My guess is that the hook itself is the same or similar to later US spec cars, my E36 and 39 both have that, but the E28 of course did not. Similar as in easier to get a later one than try and fab one, though the body fab might be necessary.

I was going to suggest getting one of the later ones, though it wouldn't be correct. I'm sure there's an eyebolt similar to this that John could have cad plated to match. I don't know how correct John is going for. These parts are impossible to find, sadly.

[2002jm]

Well, if I could find a real one I would go with that. Looks like I am going to have to get whatever looks sort-of close. The parts on this car are hard to find, but sometimes right when you think there is no way to find one, it shows up on a forum:).
I am thinking at this point it would be a good idea to just have one, just in case it is needed. I do not have one in the back, so I have to have someone make one.
jm

[wkohler]

John - I pulled the part out of my car tonight. Glad I did as I found more work to be done (YAY!!). It's a very simple piece. I will take a couple photos of it. It's essentially angle iron and has 3 nuts welded to the backside and a round nut welded in the front to hold the hook. Of course, I couldn't find the hook tonight, so yay for that too. I will say it is certainly stronger than the frame rail.

It's easy to locate as well since the horn on that side bolts to it.

[2002jm]

I am hoping to talk to my neighbor and see if he can weld this together while I have the car apart. I think if I get some type of I hook, it will be good for now. Maybe down the road I will find a real one. Might even ask him to do the rear hook too. If you want to send the pictures to my gmail account that would be great.
thanks again,
jm

[wkohler]

John, you can buy the rear hook new. In fact, I think Bert Poliakoff has one in his garage from his E24. It's also the same for E21. Same stupid design.

What is do up front is use the dimensions I will give you but find a nut that matches the thread pitch on an E36 or E46 hook.

[2002jm]

I will start looking for those parts. Thanks again for the info. and help.
jm