sewebster Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) I picked up two of the OEM tow hooks at the pick-a-part since i figured they would be better than nothing. I went to put them on, and found that my OEM brush guard is mounted where they usually attach. Does this mean I have to choose one or the other? Or can I just put the tow hooks on the bottom. I guess I might need longer bolts to go through everything... Here are two pics: The tow hook bolts where the two indicated bolts are and sits somewhat like drawn in the other picture. Or should I just put some d-rings in these other holes (arrow drawn)? The tow hooks have this weird (intentional) slight bend in them so that I could only mount them both facing to the passenger side or else they'd hit the brush guard. That might look weird I guess. Or maybe I should just tow on those big holes in the brush guard, but perhaps it isn't designed for that. Edited September 17, 2011 by sewebster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I'd be a little leery of towing from the brush guard. I'm pretty sure the drop-downs are tow brackets, so they should be fine, even just as is. Looks like the hooks would foul against the brush guard, or at least the cable would if you hooked them to anything. Can't hurt to try, though you're probably right about putting longer bolts in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Just my personal opinion. I'd get rid of the grill guard, make 100 bucks from selling it, and rock the twin tow hooks! The brush guard is useless since it's only mounted from the bottom. get a fat guy leanin on it, and it'll get bent, and it'll only amplify the damage to your truck when/if you rear end someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madhornet Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 make sure u have at least 1/2" of thread up into it if not get a new set of bolt i have been using the guard and the hooks for years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchdiggerjcf Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Just my personal opinion. I'd get rid of the grill guard, make 100 bucks from selling it, and rock the twin tow hooks! The brush guard is useless since it's only mounted from the bottom. get a fat guy leanin on it, and it'll get bent, and it'll only amplify the damage to your truck when/if you rear end someone. I agree. The factory grill guards are kinda cheesy. They look nice though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Factory brush guards give the illusion of coolness (and honestly, I've thought of rocking one, all though I'd be figuring ways to brace it more). If you like it though, get some longer bolts and go for the double hook as well. Hunt around more in the junkyards too as there actually is a left and right hook (the bends in them opposite). I'll look and see if I have a dead on photo to show what I mean (mine are an actual "pair") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 As you can kinda see, mine both aim the same direction but are still side specific. Couldn't tell you where I got the match though either from old stock I have/had or a JY run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Factory brush guards give the illusion of coolness (and honestly, I've thought of rocking one, all though I'd be figuring ways to brace it more). If you like it though, get some longer bolts and go for the double hook as well. Hunt around more in the junkyards too as there actually is a left and right hook (the bends in them opposite). I'll look and see if I have a dead on photo to show what I mean (mine are an actual "pair") There are Left and Right Hooks!?!?! I've been running two of the same with one upside down the whole time so they both hook outward. But one points slightly down because of the offset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Ok, so it seems that towing off the brush guard is a no-go, and that towing off either the hooks or those drop down points would work. I guess my main concern is with the tow strap rubbing on something. It seems like with the hooks it might help a bit, because they will be further forward. Anyway, maybe I'll goof around with them and see what I think, perhaps search after the ultra-rare "opposite hook" As for the brush guard being a bad idea... part of why I have it on there is actually for brush. I drive on a bunch of logging roads that are totally overgrown with alder. If you aren't familiar with this phenomenon it's a fast growing little tree that you can push out of the way easily (at least until it gets too big). Seems like having something to keep this stuff off the front of the truck isn't the dumbest idea. My brush guard is mounted in 4 places. The two bottom points where the tow hook attach which seem fairly strong, and two upper points behind the grille. I guess the upper points aren't really actually very secure... so is that the concern when getting in a crash, that the brush guard will be pushed back up top and damage stuff? Whereas without it maybe the bumper would take the damage? I can see an aftermarket bumper being better, but I don't know how much the OEM bumper is going to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I guess the upper points aren't really actually very secure... so is that the concern when getting in a crash, that the brush guard will be pushed back up top and damage stuff? Whereas without it maybe the bumper would take the damage? I can see an aftermarket bumper being better, but I don't know how much the OEM bumper is going to do... This. And those light hoops bend very easily. VERY EASILY! I found out the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 This. And those light hoops bend very easily. VERY EASILY! I found out the hard way. You mean those little drop down tow points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Light hoops = the headlight "protection". Those little drop down "tow points" are actuall t-hook tie down points for towing the truck (as in tieing you truck down on a flatbed/trailer/etc, not using suspension as tie down points) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lint Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 There are Left and Right Hooks!?!?! I've been running two of the same with one upside down the whole time so they both hook outward. But one points slightly down because of the offset. Like MY1PATH, I also rock double hooks with one pointing slightly down. I've been meaning to heat it up with a torch, put a jack under it and make the angle the same as the other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlBlue Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Like MY1PATH, I also rock double hooks with one pointing slightly down. I've been meaning to heat it up with a torch, put a jack under it and make the angle the same as the other one. Same here, I have never seen the drivers side hook...(?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 i have smashed down on one of my hooks to the point it looks like it could be a driver side hook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwblue Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 (edited) i have smashed down on one of my hooks to the point it looks like it could be a driver side hook There were OEM tow hooks offered by Nissan specifically for the WD21? Edited September 19, 2011 by jwblue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 There were OEM tow hooks offered by Nissan specifically for the WD21? YES! Every Pathfinder came with ONE. I'll try to take a picture for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Lies, mine did not, it came with a brush-guard but no hooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 that's just because you fail Adam... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Ok, I installed my matched pair today: Could be some rubbing on the brush guard. Anyway, I guess I'll leave them like this for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 "nunya has them pointed in so I guess that's the way they should go" That's the way the right side one on all my previous Nissans was aimed so I always assumed the left one would be flipped so they 'looked' more uniform. Never even tried to point them towards the fenders to even see if they would fit that way personally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I first saw a factory brush guard back in 87 when I bought my hardbody and always thought it was the best one available, the one I saw was mounted very solidly to the truck it was on which made me want one, so I bought one. Of course I would never have tried to tow off of it but I liked the fact that when you pulled on the brush guard the whole truck moved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasdakota Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 i used to have a IPF bull bar mounted where the tow hooks mount, and i have 2 tow hooks. my truck came with longer bolts on the drivers side to fit the tow hook and bull bar together, and i just needed to pick up longer bolts for the passenger side when i added a tow hook on that side. since then i have removed the bull bar, and now i just have 2 tow hooks mounted, so i cant get any pics for ya, but it is possible to run both... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Yup, they're on there now (poor video on previous page). I had to get longer bolts (M12x1.25x50 mm). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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