Well, I designed some tow hooks.

[MoclovFlop]

Yep. Going to school for industrial design can be a cool thing. For one of my project this semester in my AutoCAD class, I decided to make some aftermarket towhooks. The front is a universal mount. Anyone can find a place to mount it if they are willing to drill a couple holes.

The rear, is GF/GC specific. I borrowed my friend's rear mount as the hole template and went to town. It sits about 1.5" lower and about 1.5" out compared to stock... just enough to be seen but not stupid (I'll have pics soon).

They were made from 6061 aluminum at 1/4" thick. Then WaterJet cut, cleaned, welded, and finally powder coated wrinkle red (all done in house except for the waterjet :twisted: have to love a well equipped shop)

And here is the final product. Sorry for the poor photos, and if there is enough demand, I can make more.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/IMG_1087-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/IMG_1088-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/IMG_1090-1.jpg

and my hand for size reference:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/IMG_1091-1.jpg

Let me know what you guys think!

[GTDrifter]

thats cool...im in the local Votech for CAD and made quite a good bit of stuff too but nothin like that

any other projects?

[MoclovFlop]

Yea, it's a great skill to have.

In terms of other projects, nothing in that class since this was a semester long R&D thing, so this is the final outcome.

[GTDrifter]

i designed a custom cat-back exhaust i was going to actually make but it costs too much
i also designed custom badges, fog light brackets, spoiler (which i didnt make either), a couple rims (made scaled-down) and a key that i might make from alluminum before the years over

[ccampbell2546]

Hey I've been looking for some tow hooks! I'm definitely interested. I've been searching around and only have found like 2 options. If you end up selling them, how much would you want for a set or even just a rear one? PM me if you want. Thanks!

[MoclovFlop]

Bump for some of My pics installed. Don't mind the chipping hood. It's only temporary. And so is the mount point, the spot is weak so it's only there for installed pics for my final presentation at school. It will be bolted to the bumper beam when he gets a chance to pull the bumper.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/P5090845-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/P5090850-1.jpg

Rear:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/P5090851-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/P5090854-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/P5090857-1.jpg

[ccampbell2546]

Dude, these look awesome! If you're gonna have some for sale post up some prices, I would be interested.

[ashino]

Haha probably not good for pedestrian safety

[impreza_GC8]

I'd like to buy some, you making more?

[MoclovFlop]

Whoa, back from the dead.

Yea, I've had a ton of interest from other forums too so I'm tempted to make more.

I have one set left sitting in my room, but don't know if I'm going to try to use the front for my car or not.

I guess since this is Back up, can I get a show of hands of who might want a set or half?

This doesn't mean I'll actually be able to get it done, but the more interest, the more i'd be willing to do it.

[hallowpoint]

im interested

[GTDrifter]

i may be interested depending on price

[ESSYMOND]

im interested in only getting a rear one, also depends on price as well :p

[MoclovFlop]

Haven't forgotten about this. School is killer right now, so this might be on hold until January, when I have time and money. But i'm still working on it.

[aurelius]

I'd love something BD specific, with a more simple and stealth design. e.g. dpalencia's rear tow hook

[Grafton]

i would like to see the measurements for the legacy, i am making a cb antenna mount, I havn't had the chance to look under there to see what i am in store for.

[MoclovFlop]

If you mean the rear mount, I could give it to you, but that's only assuming it looks the same as the impreza pictured above. I haven't stuck my head under a BD/BG yet.

[chuckthefuk]

nice! I am in if theres a group buy for the BD :-D

-Chuck

[Grafton]

yeah the rear mount

[MoclovFlop]

yeah the rear mount


Does it look like the above pics?

[Airgne]

what about ones for the 3rd gen?

[MoclovFlop]

Trust me that was my first choice, but our rears are not removable, and neither is the front.

[Airgne]

ill sire we can find a spot to weld it onto :grin:

[MoclovFlop]

Well it would have to be bolted to something, since they are aluminum they wouldn't weld to anywhere on the frame.

So, anyone want to tell me if the rear mount on the 2nd gen looks like the Impreza pictures above?

[phi11]

I will look, for I want one that fits, too.

[Airgne]

what cant you make out of steel?

[MoclovFlop]

what cant you make out of steel?

I assume you meant why can't I make it out of steel?

And I can. Aluminum is just what the real guys use for it's lightness and strength so I mimiced them.

I can make it out of anything if you wanted it to be purly cosmetic. Even carbon fiber.

[zeus]

count me in for a bd set. Are there color options?

[rougeben83]

anyone tried to tow their car out of the rough with one of these yet?

[Airgne]

make some 3rd gen one. i think i can find a spot to weld it to.

[MoclovFlop]

count me in for a bd set. Are there color options?

Still waiting for someone to verify they would even work on a 2nd gen Legacy...

And yes, if there was enough interest in certain colors I can do batches of different ones, but it would have to be ~ 5 people per color to make it worth the purchase of other powder.


anyone tried to tow their car out of the rough with one of these yet?

Not yet, only one set is in use and his engine has seen better days so he hasn't had the chance of running it into a ditch yet. On that note, because these have not been strength tested professionally, they will be presumably sold as cosmetic only.


make some 3rd gen one. i think i can find a spot to weld it to.

Not sure what 3rd gen ones would look like? Since you are just going to weld it somewhere wouldn't the front one work since it's universal/bolt on?

And trust me guys, I am with you on wanting to get these made, but the upfront cost for the number of sets requested so far is a bit thick for my wallet right now. And I would not feel right getting deposits as that would be just weird holding someone elses money while they are made. I am very much planning on January at the latest since I can recoupe some funds in December with more work/less school. So hold your interests and I'll get going soon.

And as stated above I'm needing your help in seeing if these would work on a BD/BG/Bk. If not, I'll need your help figuring out what will work. So throw up some pics, or compare mine to your car... anything helps.

[zeus]

what do you need a pic of on the 2nd gens? i can take some.

[MoclovFlop]

Your stock rear tow hook mounting location.

[ESSYMOND]

updates !!

wanna get my bd tow hook :)

[MoclovFlop]

Still no pics/confirmation. Other than that nothing new.