Hi all,

I have two track cars that I use uniquely for going to track days/ to the circuit; one being a Subaru BRZ and the other a manual F-Type V6.

Stating the obvious: The BRZ has an infinite universe of aftermarket performance parts, the F-Type does not.

One small detail is tow hooks/ tow straps. I know there are threads on racing tow hooks on the forum, but I would like to open one on how to attach tow straps.

I have two of these at home:

https://www.sparco-official.com/en/tow-strap-fia.html

Anyone have any ideas of how to attach them? Would I need to go to a machining shop and custom-build something with the same thread as the tow hook? Or are there easier/ more straightforward ways?

Grateful for input!

Best,

Jonas

 

The F-Type (at least the R) already comes with a screw in tow hook. It should be stored in the back near the battery. Loop the strap over the hook, done.

I get what your're asking, and I don't think the front frame/grill area is set up for that, as you've already determined. Adapt and move forward.

 

The tow hook socket on the F-Type is a reverse metric thread. Virtually impossible to find a machine shop that can cut reverse metric threads. There are some online tow hooks or license plate mounts that have hardware with threads that fit, but they are aluminum and for show only, not for dragging a 2 ton car. Your best bet is to install the OEM tow and loop thru the tow strap (if required) when you get to the track. Very functional but not pretty.

 

If I recall correctly, the black, rear (16mm), smaller of the two tow hooks, is not be to used for towing. Only the front silver tow hook (20mm) should be used for towing. Generally, the rear tow hook is not included with the car, only the front although in my case the black one was left in the trunk by the dealer. There is some speculation here that the rear tow hook is only used to strap down the car during transport to the dealership.

 

The pre-delivery instructions state to remove and discard it. My suspicion is that the place it attaches is designed for something like a 45 degree downward force and that if one were to try to pull straight rearward with enough force to pull the car it would damage the attachment location.

 

Perhaps a Bolt and Nut do the trick: DIN 933 SS A4-80 M20xLenght LEFT HANDED

Then can be welded something to the hex head or have custom bracket for the strap

 

It would indeed. That portion of the underbody isn’t anything more than thick sheet metal.

 

Thank you! Probably my best bet so far!

 

Yeah I believe you're right. I have a rear tow hook but I don't use it for this very reason.

 

I slapped a tow hook on mine just for grins. I could not find a LH 16mm bolt so I cut off the stock hook before the threads and then welded a bolt to it so I could mount the tow hook in the stock slot. Of course it is not

for towing but it certainly could be used to strap down the car.

 

Looks racy! Nice!

I probably shouldn't do that though even if it adds to the race car look as I wouldn't want the rescue team to actually use it should I spin off the race track. Which has happened a few times. Hrm.

 

My thoughts as well. Too tempting.

I've been thinking off and on about how to relocate the towing eye so I don't have to trim a P7 grille to maintain use of one. I started looking at universal ones of the correct length and "normal" threads but never got far with the search.

 

Old post but germane. I'm headed up to our North Carolina shared family home in a few weeks with the Jag in tow on my car hauler. My wife's niece's husband is also an engineer/gearhead. He used to be a service engineer with BMW, now flies as Captain and instructs for Endeavor air. He and his buds occasionally go to the Tail of the Dragon with some dudes. He's asked me to join them for a 3 day jaunt (B&B nearby). I've never hauled this car, only my Factory Five Cobra which is easy to attach to my car hauler eye points.

There doesn't appear to be an easy way to go under this car, so i thought I'd use the factory provided spots front and rear to hookup. I have the single tow eye that was in the trunk. I'll need something for the rear as well to properly secure. I've spent this last few days putting some fresh paint on the car hauler and re-welding some spots like the ramp mounts. The brakes still work well, as well as all the lights.

Questions:
1) GeorgeIII - how in the world did you get the rear tow eye hole square trim piece out of the rear bumper? I tried with some of my plastic tools I use for tablet/phone screen repair. I worked it on all sides several times and pried - the trim piece would not budge. It actually snapped one of my plastic pieces (imbedded in the crack!). Is is secured from the rear? How did you get yours out?
2) GeorgeIII - is this rear spot also reverse thread (as only the Brits would do!?!?)
3) to all - assuming George affirms YES to question 2 - anyone want to sell me yours? I would be willing to bet 95% of the folks with these cars will never need them.
4) to all - is the front trim cover a challenge to remove as well? I've not tried yet.

thanks all

 

The front cover is simple to pop off. I’ve never tried the rear one. My car was delivered with both front and rear tow hooks, you can borrow my rear one if you like, assuming I can locate it. I’m sure you know it’s not for vehicle recovery, presumably only tie down.

 

The rear cover for the tow hook can be removed from bumper by going behind and underneath the bumper and you will see a plastic kind of clip and you just push on it and she should come off. No need to jack up the car I just laid down and pushed and out it came.

The rear hook is also reverse thread.

Just be sure to remember NOT to use it for any kind of towing… you will rip your bumper off.

 

…and if memory serves, it’s a different size thread than the front, so a front hook won’t work in back.

 

THANK YOU both GEORGE III and DJS for such prompt replies.

Getting my car hauler road worthy has taken more of my time, so George I'm embarrassed I didn't try the underneath approach. I did try with the open hatch and concluded asking was much easier than investigating!

DJS - I'll find out now that I know how to get the rear cover off and will post. Sounds like George III says it's the same as the front.

George III - I was assuming I can use that attachment point to ratchet down the rear of the car. Certainly I won't tow, but to be honest with you the only reason I also ratchet the rear is that in the event of a front end accident with the tow vehicle, I don't want the Jag in the back seat of my tow vehicle! Are you saying that it simply screws into the bumper (i.e. nothing structural at all)? If so, then I'll likely look for another way to attach the rear to my tie-down lugs - perhaps straps through wheel slots. Anyone out there have suggestions here?

 

OK - data:
Yes, rear access works - tight - but you can get to it. You pinch the two side tabs and it falls out.
Diameter - definitely NOT the same diameter as the front tow eye. Data out there says the front is 18mm, reverse thread. Measuring mine, I get just shy of 18 mm so that jives.
The factory (front) tow eye, however is too large to fit in the rear hole (which does go into a structural section of the rear frame).
The only large bolts I had here at home were SAE 5/8 - and they measured ~ .610" - still IMHO too large. converting to metric that's ~ 15 1/2 mm. A 1/2" SAE bolt (0.490") is bit sloppy, guestimate 0.030 - 0.040 off. From what I can tell, above M6, metric sizes are even numbers only. This means it's likely a 14MM tow eye. Regarding LH or RH thread form - hard to tell visually since it's up in the hole.

George III - can you elaborate further on what you meant by cutting off the 'stock hook'? Did your car come with a 'rear hook'? My tow eye is too large to thread into the rear hole. All I can use to help determine the size says it's 14MM; don't know LH or RH.

 

I also had some problems determining what bolt would fit at the rear. I just took the stock black bolt and chopped it off at the loop, then attached a 12mm bot to it so I could screw in my own red tow hitch. It’s just for show but it is a solid connection cemented with red seal.

 

OK - thanks.

By doing some snooping, I learned that numerous German manufacturers use tow hooks. By happenstance, the BMW common one is 14mm, LH thread. I found some cheap ones on Amazon (30 day return ). It will validate size. If I don't like it, I can then order one from a different supplier for said BMWs. I'll post after Wed when it comes in.