DivineDrive.co Sleek Tow Hook with Cover - Input & Interest

[DivineDrive.co]

After the successful launch of the DivineDrive.co Bumper Air Intake Duct, I thought it would be a good idea to design something for the other side of the bumper. I hate seeing amazing Supra builds, only to see the unsightly hole that the tow hook uses on the fake vent. So here is what I came up with. These are 3D printed prototypes and are not the final products.

Vented Version (Matches the DivineDrive.co Intake Duct):

Non-Vented Version (Matches the OEM Fake Vents):

The cover will be proper PP molded plastic (no more mass 3D printing this time). The hook itself will be fully functional, made with a one piece strong alloy. @TBK mentioned 4140 chromoly would be a good choice, but I haven't made a decision yet.

I hate cheaply made tow hooks that are just 2D waterjet or plasma cut flat steel plate. They usually have sharp edges so the powder coat finish just wears away at the edges after a single use. So for my design the hook will be fully CNC machined alloy with rounded edges. It will definitely be a premium product with a more durable coating. With the one piece hook design, the wide part does not clear the bumper when you try to install it. So bumper removal is required to install this tow hook.

The vented version does allow cool air into the engine bay that bypasses the radiator, but I don't think I will be making a duct for it. So it isn't totally just for looks. It could potentially be paired with the open hood vents that I see OEM+ selling. It will probably make the horn sound louder too .

Feedback I need from the community:
-Should I even bother with the OEM looking fake vent version? It just looks like the OEM one, but with a different looking hole.
-Is removing the bumper a deal breaker? The OEM fake vent piece does need some trimming to install this, so removing the bumper is recommended anyways.
-For those people with existing tow hook license plate mounts, would you want a new license plate mount that can attach/detach easily to this tow hook?
-In general is there interest in this product, or is everyone happy with existing tow hook solutions? Should I put this into production?

Let's hear your thoughts!

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[i3igpete]

Your hook design is asymmetric. How will you ensure that the tow hook is clocked correctly to meet up with the cover, without being over torqued or completely loose? Unlike flat bar stock designs that would need to rotate an additional 180 deg to be flat again, yours would need to rotate another 360. Would that strip the aluminium on the crash bar?

Depending on how much clearance you design into the slot, it might make bumper reinstallation a pain.

 

[DivineDrive.co]

Your hook design is asymmetric. How will you ensure that the tow hook is clocked correctly to meet up with the cover, without being over torqued or completely loose? Unlike flat bar stock designs that would need to rotate an additional 180 deg to be flat again, yours would need to rotate another 360. Would that strip the aluminium on the crash bar?

Depending on how much clearance you design into the slot, it might make bumper reinstallation a pain.

The hook was made intentionally asymmetrical. It was a design decision made based on the space available. The intention was to offset the position of the hook so it doesn't cut into the side of cover or fake vent piece. You are right that it would require one full rotation to orient the hook position. I still need to get some CNC machined for testing. If a 360 degree rotation proves to be too loose, then I will probably need to design a thin spacer to allow proper tightening of the hook. Good catch Pete!

 

[i3igpete]

My other thought was using a jamnut. But i believe the tow hook hole is not a standard thread (Google says it's called a knuckle thread), so I'm not sure if such a nut exists off-the-shelf.

 

[4seaer]

I’m in!! as soon as you get it all worked out. I’ll take the one with the vents cut open; so that it looks functional. I’m in need of this ASAP and would also like one for the back. Please PM me as soon as you’re done! Thank you

 

[steelpearl]

Mentioned the license plate holder in the other thread but to add to the feedback here…

My 2 cents is to just do a mirror of the passenger side duct with a removable plate to access the tow hook receiver. Or no removable plate and let people drill a hole

If you do the integrated hook design, then go with the version with the duct since I think most people would be buying it to match the intake duct.

I don’t run my front plate all the time but need to be able to pop it on occasionally. Others may need a more full time solution.

 

[CrimsonSupra]

I’d be interested in a non-vented version since I don’t have your duct on the other side due to having an auto and wanting to retain adaptive cruise since my car is a daily and not just a track toy. I also have metal mesh inserts covering the factory openings so the vented version wouldn’t match regardless in my case.

 

[TBK]

Love the fact that you can get a vented version. Looks great

 

[awretham]

Watching this with interest

 

[DivineDrive.co]

I’ll make the vented version for sure. I’m not sure about the non-vented version. Need to see if there is enough interest.

 

[i3igpete]

Actually now that I think about it, including a set of washers/shims would do the trick. Looks like the thread pitch is 3.175mm, so you'd need to include 2 shims of 1mm thickness, so people could dial in 120-ish deg of tightening torque

 

[DivineDrive.co]

Actually now that I think about it, including a set of washers/shims would do the trick. Looks like the thread pitch is 3.175mm, so you'd need to include 2 shims of 1mm thickness, so people could dial in 120-ish deg of tightening torque

Yup, that was what I meant by maybe needing spacers.

 

[daobn24]

Interested for vented version.

 

[apdmkv]

Vented please! Definitely interested! I think a round cutout for a tow hook to go through would be cool but definitely loving the slotted look

 

[Hasan]

What is behind that cover?

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