Tow hook for 2nd gen

Hi there, can anyone let me know what tow hook to buy for a 2nd gen tacoma? I got a 1st gen 4x4 and I'm going out to some dune with a buddy who has a 2nd gen 2WD and I got a feeling that I'll be pulling him out in certain areas. Not knowing much about the 2nd gens, it looks like he has a a tow point shaped like a U in the front. Is this point OK for recovery or towing? Thanks!

 

No, that's a tie down point for shipping. The passenger side on Off-road models had a hook like thing for recovery point. The tie down point on the driver side only for light pulls only

 

The problem that can/does occur is that people use the OE point as a “recovery” point.
Toyota says it’s for towing and only for short distance on hard surfaces.

What usually happens is guys yank the ever living $hit out of them, and making this worse by pulling at an angle. That’s really hard on the OE point. And I wouldn’t advise it.

The Off-Road trucks have a better hook. More suited for pulling.- Type B in the pic below.

Anyways. If I were going to use the factory point, I’d pull slow and straight on.
Take it EASY, don’t jerk the tow strap to get them free.
Not unless you have have snatch strap, which work on a different principle. “Kind of”

 

Got it. So it's doable but just go easy? If he were to get a real tow hook for the passanger side, it sounds like that one can take more abuse?

 

Pretty much.

I think the factory only uses 2 bolts to secure the tow hook.

This one looks like it uses 3 bolts and should be a bit stronger.
https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/tacoma-recovery-tow-hook

I bet @Key-Rei or @EatSleepTacos would know?

 

Yup the factory TRD Off-Road uses two either M14 or M16 (Grade 10.9 IIRC) I forget which bolts and has a T head with a spike for attaching and semi capturing an eye splice of rope or strap, I don't think a 3/4 shackle will fit and I probably would only use a soft shackle on it anyway, use a dynamic rope or strap for recovery on it or you can rip it off the frame.

It's not a super great recovery point but it sure is a lot better and safer than the shipping tie down loop (driver side "U") or nothing at all.

The OE ones usually sell for $50+shipping or so.

Don't know if I still have mine kicking around in the garage or not.