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81-91 HD front tow hooks

thatK30guy

thatK30guy

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I remember reading about an HD version of front tow hooks for these years of frames and never could find one until yesterday. I was scouring the wrecking yard and came across an '87 (I believe) bare chassis with no body and happened to glance at the tow hooks. They didn't look normal so I got closer and inspected them to find the mounting flange is definitely thicker and stronger than the other type we're all so used to seeing. The "J" part of the lower hook is also thicker than the more common hook.
Does anyone know much about these HD version hooks? What was the RPO code for this option over the smaller common hook? Were they optional items or only available in specific trucks? Lets here your thoughts about them.

Oh yeah, heres a pic of both types for comparison:

S5003676.JPG
 
These HD hooks are definitely cast items since they look so much like the 73-80 hooks but in the "S" shaped compared to the "J" shaped older ones. You can see the casting lines on the "J" whereas on the smaller hook there is no casting lines on them. I've bent a few of the smaller hook but never on the 73-80 due to the thickness and casting of them. This leads me to believe the HD hooks I just found would solve the problem of bent hooks in the 81-91 trucks.
 
I will have to check the parts manual. And my truck. Pretty sure the only sets I have are the "small" ones, as I was unaware there were larger/stronger options out there.

I need to look at that section of the parts manual anyway...it appears that at least on the half tons, there may have been plate reinforcements (held on with the two bolts for each hook) used when the tow hooks were present. You probably know for certain.
 
Yep, the trucks that did come from factory with hooks have some flat plates on the insides of the frame rails to reinforce the mounting with the hooks. They are riveted along with the cab mount and that little "L" shaped bracket on the outside rail by the cab mount. I'll get pics of them under my K30 after work to show what I mean.
 
That's right, forgot I removed the rivets, thats why those plates weren't captured anymore. :)

I wonder if those cast hooks aren't a running change? I *think* if it wasn't a running change, there would HAVE to be two different RPO's. I don't think the same RPO in the same vehicle line can be two different parts...RPO G80 for '81-87(-'91) in both the 10 and 14SF axles was obviously the gov-lock, but did the civ 1 tons ever get anything (stock) other than the gov-lock G80?
 
Makes sense but I can't find my RPO code book so I can't find the number even for any hooks. Then I pulled out some past RPO stickers I've kept from other trucks and tried to find a code but apparently tow hooks aren't important enough to list it on a readily visible piece of sticker under the hood so it must be on the build sheet instead.
 
I would assume then, since the hooks aren't standard, that they are part of another RPO package. I wouldn't believe it to be the Silverado RPO, but then again, it did change the looks of the truck. Or not.

Found this in a random google search:

http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/rpo-v.htm

[SIZE=-1]V70 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]82 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]87 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]HOOKS,TOWING(EXPORT) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]V76 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]76 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]88 [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]HOOK,FRT TOW [/SIZE]
 
Here's the pic of the little flat bracket riveted in the rail:

S5003683.JPG
 
So even on the K30 they used those brackets eh? Figured only the flimsy 1/2 ton frame needed help! :)
 
I think those little brackets were on all the vehicles equipped with the hooks. Both of my K30's have those brackets on the frames. I can see why they help as there isn't much metal in front of those holes so anything can get sheared thru there if enough force.

Back when I had my '81 K10 SWB, it had the factory hooks and I pulled a guy out from mud once and had to use a little more force than necessary since his truck was 3/4 ton and mine was a measly 4500 lbs. duckling, the lower bolt sheared completely off resulting in the hook pivoting at the top bolt and ripping the bumper thru. Bumper was bad enough you had to be careful not to get close to it when you walk by it otherwise you'd cut your pants, shorts, or better yet your leg.

Now on the M-series GM trucks, those little brackets inside the rails look different than these I show. The M trucks have a bigger bracket I believe as its been a while I saw one. And yes to compensate for the clevis mounts, too.
 
Obviously ripping the hook bolts is somewhat common, I've seen trucks with that tell-tale gash through the bumper before! :)

Do you have the ability to weigh the two styles? The HD ones appear to be more substantial in every regard.
 
I don't have a digital scale or anything fancy. Just a normal bathroom scale. There isn't too much difference in weight but the thickness is very noticable. I can say this "S" shaped hook looks almost identical in thickness and size to the "J" hooks of the 73-80 years. Only difference is the bend at the frame end of the hook. Everything else is almost identical.
 
Here's a pic of the HD 81-91 hooks by the 73-80 hooks. Look closely and you can see the similiarities.

S5003684.JPG
 
just removed a set of plates the other day to install a plow frame that sitis in the inside of the "C" channel .

and i will also go check my k30 frame 1980 vintage and see what style thickness hooks i have on it.
 
'85-88 parts illustration manual only lists one pair of hooks (confirms RPO V76) and ONLY lists them as '87-88. Same page/years for the trailer hitches. There isn't a page missing either. They may have printed the years wrong for all I know. In the parts manual (not illustration) it shows the same two part numbers for C/K/R/V 1985-1988

Group 7.068
PN is 14072663 LH and 14072664 RH
 
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