home made tow hook shackles! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mjmarinara · 01-18-2023, 01:59 PM

Hello, using measurements from other forum members here I drilled 5/8" holes in the frame 3 1/4" from each other where factory or dealer holes would be in case I ever decide to spend the money on factory hooks.

I took some 3/4x1 7/8 carbon steel made corresponding 41/64" (5/8) holes for the frame, and a 49/64" (3/4) hole for the shackle, i used a 5/8s shackle its totally fine for my needs but you could use a 3/4 shcakle with a 7/8s pin if you wanted there is enough meat on the steel still. Stainless hardware in pictures only for mock up because thats what i had replaced now with grade 8.

I think they came out pretty well:

**Canadian694x4** · 01-18-2023, 03:16 PM

Nice Work

**Stocker** · 01-18-2023, 03:43 PM

Good job, those should work fine!

**68 C10 Driver** · 01-18-2023, 05:11 PM

Very nice, I love the ingenuity of it! That to me looks more functional.

**RodnRudy** · 01-18-2023, 05:31 PM

Very nice fabricationon those tow hook shackles. Not meaning to critisize but those bolts look like grade 2 stainless, not very strong. I would opt for grade 8 bolts for the brackets just to be on the safe side.

54blackhornet · 01-18-2023, 07:14 PM

Excellent work and I really love the medium olive ! Had a rusty one similar. Stupid me parted it out…

yuccales · 01-18-2023, 08:38 PM

Gonna have to tug hard to bust those!

**LockDoc** · 01-18-2023, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodnRudy

Very nice fabricationon those tow hook shackles. Not meaning to critisize but those bolts look like grade 2 stainless, not very strong. I would opt for grade 8 bolts for the brackets just to be on the safe side.

At the bottom of his first post:

Quote:

Stainless hardware in pictures only for mock up because thats what i had replaced now with grade 8.

LockDoc

**special-K** · 01-19-2023, 08:52 AM

That's a great improvement. Technically speaking, probably an improvement over the factory tow hooks.

Way back when I was more about 4-wheelin' function than original options I'd weld up chain hooks to the bottom of the frame at all corners, and brace the frame. You could hook any part of a chain up directly without any hooks. The chain hooks weren't noticeable.

mjmarinara · 01-19-2023, 11:29 AM

Thanks all, I really appreciate the kind words

cangim · 01-22-2023, 11:24 AM

Nice work and thanks for sharing

**Getter-Done** · 01-22-2023, 11:41 AM

Great idea

Those look Good

CG · 01-22-2023, 02:53 PM

Great idea! Personally I like them better than tow hooks. Seem more versatile to me.

mjmarinara · 01-24-2023, 11:31 AM

Thank you all I really appreciate it!

I've had no plans to make more of these but I've gotten messages from a few other members inquiring if I would make them a set. It's not my intention to come here and make money off our hobby but others have said it would be a benefit to them so I'd be glad to help out!

The steel cost $50, it took a good while on the mill and painting and I imagine shipping is definitely going to be around $20 so I would send them out for $100 shipped. We can also change dimensions if you wanted longer, or different sized holes for different shackles. If anyone is interested shoot me a message!

Thanks again so much!

Portland68 · 01-24-2023, 09:00 PM

Plugging a buddy of mine here:

https://engineeredvintage.com/produc...ckle-tow-hooks

He also makes a killer aluminum fabricated grill for 71/72 and 77/79 trucks that ended up on a SEMA build this year!

**RodnRudy** · 01-25-2023, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

At the bottom of his first post:

LockDoc

Well I'm embarassed Loc Doc, I didn't read the build description well enough Sorry

mjmarinara · 01-25-2023, 02:17 PM

Ha I wouldn't sweat it! Can't say I'm not guilty of staring at pictures and glossing over the fine print! Also the pictures with them big old stainless bolts on there didn't help much!

CG · 01-25-2023, 04:09 PM

Just a heads up so no one gets their nose out of joint. If you are going to build and sell these it might require an upgrade to your board membership. Doesn't sound like you would be making much if anything on the sales. Definitely PM a moderator just to make sure.

Trio · 01-26-2023, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG

Just a heads up so no one gets their nose out of joint. If you are going to build and sell these it might require an upgrade to your board membership. Doesn't sound like you would be making much if anything on the sales. Definitely PM a moderator just to make sure.

I hope no one would complain. At $100, he is making no money considering the time and labor involved.

Southcity · 01-26-2023, 05:14 PM

Take a look at how user jimbosprint did his recovery shackle mounts in post #20. 3 bolt mount and tucks the shackle up close to the bumper.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=808840

Really slick winch mount with fairlead in original bumper too.

mr48chev · 01-26-2023, 05:35 PM

Nice looking, functional and strong. That's a hard combination to beat.

Southcity · 01-27-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Nice looking, functional and strong. That's a hard combination to beat.

Agreed! I plan to copy his custom setup (winch/shackle mounts/stock bumper) with something similar on my 66 K10 Suburban

01-18-2023, 01:59 PM	#1
mjmarinara Registered User Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: smithtown, ny Posts: 27	home made tow hook shackles! Hello, using measurements from other forum members here I drilled 5/8" holes in the frame 3 1/4" from each other where factory or dealer holes would be in case I ever decide to spend the money on factory hooks. I took some 3/4x1 7/8 carbon steel made corresponding 41/64" (5/8) holes for the frame, and a 49/64" (3/4) hole for the shackle, i used a 5/8s shackle its totally fine for my needs but you could use a 3/4 shcakle with a 7/8s pin if you wanted there is enough meat on the steel still. Stainless hardware in pictures only for mock up because thats what i had replaced now with grade 8. I think they came out pretty well: Attached Images

01-18-2023, 03:43 PM	#3
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,497	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Good job, those should work fine! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

01-18-2023, 05:11 PM	#4
68 C10 Driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Kathleen, GA Posts: 619	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Very nice, I love the ingenuity of it! That to me looks more functional.

01-18-2023, 05:31 PM	#5
RodnRudy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: New Palestine In Posts: 930	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Very nice fabricationon those tow hook shackles. Not meaning to critisize but those bolts look like grade 2 stainless, not very strong. I would opt for grade 8 bolts for the brackets just to be on the safe side. __________________ Phil "Money is only a tool to create and achieve what you want most in life" PayPal: rodnrudy@comcast.net

01-18-2023, 07:14 PM	#6
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,258	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Excellent work and I really love the medium olive ! Had a rusty one similar. Stupid me parted it out… __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

01-18-2023, 03:16 PM	#2
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Nice Work __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

01-18-2023, 08:38 PM	#7
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 3,588	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Gonna have to tug hard to bust those!

01-19-2023, 08:52 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: home made tow hook shackles! That's a great improvement. Technically speaking, probably an improvement over the factory tow hooks. Way back when I was more about 4-wheelin' function than original options I'd weld up chain hooks to the bottom of the frame at all corners, and brace the frame. You could hook any part of a chain up directly without any hooks. The chain hooks weren't noticeable. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-19-2023, 11:29 AM	#10
mjmarinara Registered User Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: smithtown, ny Posts: 27	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Thanks all, I really appreciate the kind words

01-22-2023, 11:24 AM	#11
cangim Registered User Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 28	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Nice work and thanks for sharing __________________ 1972 C30 2WD 157” WB

01-22-2023, 11:41 AM	#12
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,726	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Great idea Those look Good __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

01-22-2023, 02:53 PM	#13
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 19,781	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Great idea! Personally I like them better than tow hooks. Seem more versatile to me. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … … Monroe Swap meet May 18-19. Mike has the same spots for the NW guys he's had forever. Lunch time BBQ at the spaces. If you have stuff to sell bring it along. If you have a question PM stllookn (Mike) here via the board. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851291

01-24-2023, 11:31 AM	#14
mjmarinara Registered User Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: smithtown, ny Posts: 27	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Thank you all I really appreciate it! I've had no plans to make more of these but I've gotten messages from a few other members inquiring if I would make them a set. It's not my intention to come here and make money off our hobby but others have said it would be a benefit to them so I'd be glad to help out! The steel cost $50, it took a good while on the mill and painting and I imagine shipping is definitely going to be around $20 so I would send them out for $100 shipped. We can also change dimensions if you wanted longer, or different sized holes for different shackles. If anyone is interested shoot me a message! Thanks again so much!

01-24-2023, 09:00 PM	#15
Portland68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 184	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Plugging a buddy of mine here: https://engineeredvintage.com/produc...ckle-tow-hooks He also makes a killer aluminum fabricated grill for 71/72 and 77/79 trucks that ended up on a SEMA build this year!

01-25-2023, 02:17 PM	#17
mjmarinara Registered User Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: smithtown, ny Posts: 27	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Ha I wouldn't sweat it! Can't say I'm not guilty of staring at pictures and glossing over the fine print! Also the pictures with them big old stainless bolts on there didn't help much!



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01-25-2023, 04:09 PM	#18
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 19,781	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Just a heads up so no one gets their nose out of joint. If you are going to build and sell these it might require an upgrade to your board membership. Doesn't sound like you would be making much if anything on the sales. Definitely PM a moderator just to make sure. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … … Monroe Swap meet May 18-19. Mike has the same spots for the NW guys he's had forever. Lunch time BBQ at the spaces. If you have stuff to sell bring it along. If you have a question PM stllookn (Mike) here via the board. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851291

01-26-2023, 05:14 PM	#20
Southcity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,174	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Take a look at how user jimbosprint did his recovery shackle mounts in post #20. 3 bolt mount and tucks the shackle up close to the bumper. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=808840 Really slick winch mount with fairlead in original bumper too. __________________ 66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban

01-26-2023, 05:35 PM	#21
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: home made tow hook shackles! Nice looking, functional and strong. That's a hard combination to beat. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

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