Tow Hook frame straightening

[Rocket Surgeon]

On both my 2500s I have... or HAD... a tow hook what was knocked up.

You must be registered for see images attach

That there... is frame damage.

You must be registered for see images attach

Annoying but... "minor" Then I picked up a used tow hook style valence, and it would not fit.

Delete the hooks and just go on?
No.
I looked at the frame and the hook assemblages and figured out a simple repair I could attempt:

You must be registered for see images attach

Stock, the hooks are retained with an anchor plate within the frame that is sandwiched around/through the frame by the two bolts through their respective hook.
Rotating the loosened hooks 90 degrees perpendicular to the frame and tightening the bolts with a breaker bar tweaks the frame straighter. The anchor back plate remains in stock position. Both hooks are temporarily attached to the single anchor plate.
I did have to hammer inward on a bend in the frame on the right vertical wall (driver's outside of frame) to persuade the metal straight while the bolts through the perpendicular hooks were placing tension on the frame.
Frame was close to correct, but it would elastically return out of square when the bolts were released.

I placed a washer between the hook and frame, as pictured, to help apply force to the frame, such that I was bending the frame beyond straight. When the bolts were unscrewed the frame finally elastically returned to its proper shape.

You must be registered for see images attach

Effectively, everything is straight now.

You must be registered for see images attach

I need to replace the hardware to install the valence.

Later on that.

 

[Rocket Surgeon]

Thus far is the 97 GMC
Still needing replacement clips and bolts, not to mention paint refresh of the hook.
Don't mind the out of state plate.
And I hate that lightbar.

You must be registered for see images attach

My 98 has a grill guard, it uses space blocks on the hooks with longer bolts. so same idea.
The stock hook type valance does not fit.

You must be registered for see images attach

If what I have shown helps you, let me know!

 

[Trenthob]

Thanks man this actually worked! A creative fix to a small problem here are my before and after pictures

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[GoToGuy]

The movement of wanting to return to original is called " springback " . It's the reason you often must go a few degrees behind your intended bend to get the perfect angle your shooting for.

 

[EJ_74]

Would the frame be weaker in that section after being bent and straightened? Or is it such a small amount that it's fine

 

[Supercharged111]

It's probably worth laying a bead down both sections of frame where the 2 layers come together. My plow truck and dually both needed that.

 

[KansasOBS]

I see the valance wouldn't fit well, but ya'll sure they weren't like that from factory? Sure looks like some even bends, and to straighten them spreads the lower part of the box/frame.

Mine match the picture at the top, and both my trucks are the same. Tow hooks aren't pointing up or anything, and would be odd that somehow they all get bent to the exact same spot.

 

[movietvet]

Would the frame be weaker in that section after being bent and straightened? Or is it such a small amount that it's fine

That area is the end of a frame rail. Except for the stress of jerking the crap out of it with the tow hook attached, it does nothing else. Steering gear and suspension mounting is well back from there.

 

[glock20]

Would the frame be weaker in that section after being bent and straightened? Or is it such a small amount that it's fine

who cares? it doesn't affect anything

 

[someotherguy]

I see the valance wouldn't fit well, but ya'll sure they weren't like that from factory? Sure looks like some even bends, and to straighten them spreads the lower part of the box/frame.

Mine match the picture at the top, and both my trucks are the same. Tow hooks aren't pointing up or anything, and would be odd that somehow they all get bent to the exact same spot.

I think you might be onto something here. The actual bend that OP was observing may have been in the hook itself; they're fairly tough but not indestructible.

I've seen a lot of these trucks with the bumpers/brackets off of them and I seem to recall a lot of them looking like this in the frame. Mind you many of these trucks have suffered front bumper damage of some degree or another at various points in their lives, sure, but it seems a bit too much of a coincidence. Especially on trucks that never had tow hooks, so there wouldn't have been that rectangular nut plate in place, just empty frame hole.

Richard