Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com
 
Vararam
Go Back   Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com > General Camaro Forums > Camaro ZL1 Forum - ZL1 Specific Topics


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 01-01-2022, 01:34 PM   #1
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
ZL1 Front Tow Hook issue

OK, so I think I've read about all I can stand about tow hooks. My issue seems to be unique so hopefully a Z owner on here has had the same experience and figured a solution.
The short explanation is this.
My 2014 ZL1 doesnt have a provision for a front tow hook at all, period.
No trap door thingy in the black grill and no threaded hole in the crash bar under the cover.
I bought a crash bar with the tow hook hole and I would have to punch a hole in the painted portion of the cover to make it work...not an option.
I looked on ZL1 Addons sight and don't see how that setup will work on my OEM crash bar because I never found his install instructions.
I wrote ZL1 Addons and await an answer.

Does anyone have answers?

Thanks in advance
Mark
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 02:33 PM   #2
Hoosierjta
 
Drives: 2015 Camaro Zl1
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7
I have a 2015 ZL1. I had the same issue. Wanted something there for occasional track days. I ended up buying the (what I believe was the GT4 tow hook--whatever they called the 'L" type bracket) and drilled holes in stock crash bar to mount it. I bought the black one. It pokes out through the opening in stock ZL1 lower grill. Obviously it's not temporary, but not overly noticeable if that is a concern. I can't attest to durability as I haven't had to use it yet. Hope that helps.
Attached Images
  
Hoosierjta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 02:34 PM   #3
HDRDTD


 
Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Trenton, Michigan
Posts: 7,047
Z/28's had the tow hook, but I'm not sure about the ZL1's having them.

My 2013 ZL1 did not come with a tow hook nor the option to have one from the factory.
HDRDTD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 04:05 PM   #4
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoosierjta View Post
I have a 2015 ZL1. I had the same issue. Wanted something there for occasional track days. I ended up buying the (what I believe was the GT4 tow hook--whatever they called the 'L" type bracket) and drilled holes in stock crash bar to mount it. I bought the black one. It pokes out through the opening in stock ZL1 lower grill. Obviously it's not temporary, but not overly noticeable if that is a concern. I can't attest to durability as I haven't had to use it yet. Hope that helps.
Where did you buy it?
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 04:30 PM   #5
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
I did see this on SMGspeed.com
https://smgspeed.com/product/5th-gen...-bar-tow-loop/
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 09:56 PM   #6
Hoosierjta
 
Drives: 2015 Camaro Zl1
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7
I’ve searched and unfortunately can’t find where I ordered it from. The link you have is not the one I used though. Mine is “L” shaped and goes under and up the backside of the crash bar. I’ll keep looking and if I find my order history, I’ll let you know. Sorry.
Hoosierjta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 10:20 PM   #7
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoosierjta View Post
I’ve searched and unfortunately can’t find where I ordered it from. The link you have is not the one I used though. Mine is “L” shaped and goes under and up the backside of the crash bar. I’ll keep looking and if I find my order history, I’ll let you know. Sorry.
No worries. Yea, going up the back would be a stronger design. I might just make my own and have a local shop burn it out on their table. Maybe I can mock it up with balsa wood first. This gives me ideas for a new video too. I could slot the holes in the vertical portion slightly to make it a better fit before tightening.
Thanks for the ideas!
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 10:41 PM   #8
diddies
 
Drives: 2013 ZL1
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by FasNuf View Post
OK, so I think I've read about all I can stand about tow hooks. My issue seems to be unique so hopefully a Z owner on here has had the same experience and figured a solution.
The short explanation is this.
My 2014 ZL1 doesnt have a provision for a front tow hook at all, period.
No trap door thingy in the black grill and no threaded hole in the crash bar under the cover.
I bought a crash bar with the tow hook hole and I would have to punch a hole in the painted portion of the cover to make it work...not an option.
I looked on ZL1 Addons sight and don't see how that setup will work on my OEM crash bar because I never found his install instructions.
I wrote ZL1 Addons and await an answer.

Does anyone have answers?

Thanks in advance
Mark
If you have changed the crash bar, the ZL1 Addons will not work per their instructions. I would believe you would have to weld their piece onto your crashbar.
diddies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 11:38 PM   #9
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
I have both the original and an aftermarket. They look identical except the threaded hole. I never saw their instructions. Do you have a file to share?
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 11:41 PM   #10
Vicster
1000hp is NEVER Enough!
 
Vicster's Avatar
 
Drives: 13' ZL1
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 660
Front Tow

Made my own, install with grade 8 bolts, made inner bumper supports from PVC pipe.
Attached Images
     
Vicster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 11:44 PM   #11
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
I think I’ll go this route too Vic ^^^^
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2022, 11:58 PM   #12
Vicster
1000hp is NEVER Enough!
 
Vicster's Avatar
 
Drives: 13' ZL1
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 660
Hey Bud

Quote:
Originally Posted by FasNuf View Post
I think I’ll go this route too Vic ^^^^
Pics are from my first ZL1, did not take any with the new one.

I was not able to bend the 1/4" plate, had to take it to a welding shop.
Vicster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2022, 12:32 AM   #13
FasNuf

 
FasNuf's Avatar
 
Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vicster View Post
Pics are from my first ZL1, did not take any with the new one.

I was not able to bend the 1/4" plate, had to take it to a welding shop.
We have a brake at work I could probably use but they won’t allow personal use of the burn table. There’s an outfit in town that can do the burn out
FasNuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2022, 10:35 AM   #14
Risingson05
 
Risingson05's Avatar
 
Drives: 2015 zl1 m6
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Alaska
Posts: 702
Did not realize that adding a front tow hook was this much if a pain but it is worth it . I think I’ll do this mod aswell . Thanks fastenuf for bringing this up sir .
Risingson05 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.