I searched the archive and couldn't find this answer, so I hope it is not a repeat. I am going to mount some tow hooks to the front bumber - there is a small depressed square in the rubber cover where they obviously go - do you have to take the cover off to mount the hooks and then cut the depression out? Don't want to screw up the bumper doing it wrong.
Thanks ahead of time.
Richard

It would help to know what make, model, and year vehicle you're talking about!

JK Wrangler, stock front bumper w/o fog lights.
Sorry 'bout that, I guess I should develop a sig line in the future.
Regards,
Richard

Well, if it's a JK, it must be fairly new, so I think your best solution would be to stop by the dealer and see if they have any in stock that have the front tow hooks mounted on them and see how they're done. If they don't, then the parts department should be able to show you a parts breakdown that will show the method of atachment.

If your going to modify your JK and are afraid of a screw up, then take the bumper off and replace it with a bumper that is worthy of the hooks or already has them on it. ARB or Warn comes to mind. Leave the stock bumper in the basement til you have to give the truck back or are ready to sell it. If your going off-road, the sock bumper is going to do you no good anyway as far as lines go(too big and in the way). Go out and get yourself a real bumper. slap it on and bang it up, when your done throw the stock one one and get rid of it.
If your planning on keeping it, keep on modifing it and refining it to what you want it to do. Don't stop at the bumper.
I wouldn't go with hooks anyway they are unsafe, with the bumpers I noted they can be linked to anything< I would use D-Rings. They are more safe. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Steve I have never seen Jeep tow hooks that were unsafe. All I have seen were bolted directly to the frame and were built at least Fordtough! On the other hand I have seen D-rings that were improperly installed and tore the Jeep up when used..
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I really appreciate the advice, but I am not into extreme off road, rock crawling or whatever. I am just a Jeep enthusiast that likes back roads for scenery, fun and the like - hence, I really do not plan on modifying the bumper at this time, there is the chance I want a winch which may change that....at this time the group that I drive with require tow hooks or the equivalent on the front and I have a D ring insert for the rear receiver. They want to be able to pull me out of trouble just in case...I appreciate the modifications suggested, but a bit beyond my budget at this time...but there is always later in the year...
Richard
08 JK bone stock but fun nonetheless...

BigJim, I would venture to say that Steve has a good idea about using D-rings over tow hooks. Some times a tow strap will slip off a tow hook, a D-ring would secure the tow strap.
Tow hooks and D-rings have different static pull ratings. If my four wheeling adventures took me into deep mud with the potential of getting stuck deep in mud, I would want a tow hook or D-ring nominally rated for 10,000 lb. or more. Many D-rings and tow hooks have much lower ratings, some are not rated as far as working load limits.
Buyer beware! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Jim.
I found the hooks to be a only choice at the time, due to capability. The d-rings were too small. The club Ive joined discouraged hooks due to slippage and recoil. (I agree) now that I see their point. As I see, d-rings are the thing of choice.
I use them in conjunction with cranes all the time to lift condensers to tall roofs. A 5/8" d-ring can hold a lot, Asspecially when devided.

Thanks fred>
I found the hooks to be a only choice at the time, due to capability. The d-rings were too small. The club Ive joined discouraged hooks due to slippage and recoil. (I agree) now that I see their point. As I see, d-rings are the thing of choice.
I use them in conjunction with cranes all the time to lift condensers to tall roofs. A 5/8" d-ring can hold a lot, Asspecially when devided.