Installing a Woodhouse Tow Hook

[VENOM V]

Hi all,

Here's a super quick photo guide on the install. Very easy, it's one of those projects that becomes clear as you dive into it. You can access the tubular frame that it mounts to by lifting the hood, removing the thumb screws that secure the air scoop, and removing the plastic piece above the radiator. You don't need to remove the bumper cover, however you do need to remove the top row of screws that secure it, as they also secure this plastic piece above the radiator (see last image)...

[VENOM V]

Next, you locate the tow hook on the tubular frame, then secure the mounting collars around the frame. Once the collar is in place, the tow hook mounts to the collar with one large bolt. Finally, re-install the plastic piece above the radiator, the bumper cover screws, and the thumb screws that secure the air scoop. Very simple installation.

[BAD BOYZZ GARAGE]

Super Kwick, Super Kleen, Super Informative !! A must have for any tracked snake..

Kool stuff Venom V

Bad Boyzz
Toddy

[FLATOUT]

That's an IPSCO tow hook, bought from Woodhouse. Correct?

[Jack B]

I have seen a couple of G5's where the hook sticks out about 3" more than the one on my car. Is that a longer hook or a mis-step?

[FLATOUT]

I have seen a couple of G5's where the hook sticks out about 3" more than the one on my car. Is that a longer hook or a mis-step?

IPSCO makes two versions. The longer one which is legal for most NARRA types orgs, and the shorter street version.

[Nine Ball]

It may be an IPSCO, but mine says "Woodhouse" machined into it, and I prefer to support an advertiser here on the VOA.

[mjorgensen]

The shorter version is SCCA approved (cannot stick out as much) and yes IPSCO makes these for us, we took all the measurements for Mark to help fit this that is where we decided to remove the fascia for the install, thanks for showing an easier way to do this for the customers that were hesitant about the install. The hooks can be had in black or the silver, but we stock the black because I think it's coolest ;-).

Thanks

[V10LEE]

Very nice. Todd thanks for posting this!

[johniew398]

Thanks. I had Woodhouse install mine before they delivered the car. It sticks out 1 1/2" from the body, not enough to catch anything like someone walking by (they're toooo close anyway).

At first I thought it would have been better painted orange like in the SRT shots; but it looks better black, doesn't stick out too much.

I always wondered what I would have done if I had ever had to have the ACR towed but never had any issues requiring that in 5 1/2 years but now with the TA, I don't have to worry about that. And if I ever track it, it's nice to have it installed.

[VENOM V]

You're welcome guys.

One nice feature is that you can easily remove the tow hook with 1 bolt when you're not tracking it, leaving it's collar mount in place on the frame. However, I like the looks of it so much that I leave it attached all the time. It shows the car's true racer intent, this aint no garage queen!

[Cdubb]

Picked one up from Mark last week!

[FLATOUT]

It may be an IPSCO, but mine says "Woodhouse" machined into it, and I prefer to support an advertiser here on the VOA.

Ipsco is an advertiser here goob

http://driveviper.com/club/sponsors.php

[FrgMstr]

You're welcome guys.

One nice feature is that you can easily remove the tow hook with 1 bolt when you're not tracking it, leaving it's collar mount in place on the frame. However, I like the looks of it so much that I leave it attached all the time. It shows the car's true racer intent, this aint no garage queen!

Everyone in my family and MANY of my friends have a scar on their shin from that damn thing.

[VENOM V]

Everyone in my family and MANY of my friends have a scar on their shin from that damn thing.

That's a Viper bite, LOL

[Late Apex]

I have the Ipsco also on my ACR and its a great product. His short version is the one to get and SCCA approved. The longer version is kind of tacky and just sticks way out of the facia. Nice for leg bruises though.

[FLATOUT]

I have the Ipsco also on my ACR and its a great product. His short version is the one to get and SCCA approved. The longer version is kind of tacky and just sticks way out of the facia. Nice for leg bruises though.

I thought it was the other way around. Longer was SCCA approved.

[mjorgensen]

I thought it was the other way around. Longer was SCCA approved.

SCCA does not want them protruding because it can cause damage to another racers car even from casual contact on the track, that's why it is the shorter of the two.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

GREAT FYI TODD... thanks.


The primary reason for a protruding tongue (tang) is to keep any towing-hooking-strapping hardware off and away from your paint. The SCCA-tongue is located inside the painted facia, and even casual-winching hardware could impact the paint. Emergency-vehicle tows could certainly gouge some paint.............

Mark is 100% correct on SCCA reasoning......whether bump-drafting or incidental-contact, a protruding tow hook tang is a No-No. The head tech inspector for SCCA working with ACR-X program helped develop the measurements off the -Xcars............

Did you know you can order BOTH tongues with the IPSCO-WOODHOUSE (or PartsRack) removable tow hook kit? Add $40! Gen 3-4 tongues are an easy removal or swap from above, the G5 removable is a bit more difficult from below. But you CAN have your tow-hook-kit BOTH ways, or can be ordered separately if you must meet tech-inspection rules later on. In black or aluminum finishes...a truly over-engineered great safety item.

[mjorgensen]

The primary resaon for a prodruding tongue (tang) is to keep any towing-hooking--strapping hardware off your paint. The SCCA-tongue is inside the painted facia, and even casual-winching hardware could impact the painted fascia. Emergency-vehicle tows could certainly gouge some paint.............Mark is 100% correct on SCCA reasoning......whether bump-drafting or incidental-contact, a protruding tow hook tang is a No-No.The head tech inspector for SCCA working with ACR-X program helped develop the measurents on the -X-cars............Did you know you can order BOTH tongues with the IPSCO-WOODHOUSE (or PartsRack) removable tow hook? Add $40......the Gen 3-4 tongs are an easy swap from above, the G5 swap is a bit more difficult from below. But you CAN have your tow-hook-kit both ways, in black or aluminum finishes.

Excellent point on the swap out Jon, plus you could even have both a black one AND a silver one for "mood changes" LOL.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

What? Mood-swings of Viper owners !? Nahhhhhh

I have had a couple owners paint / powder-coat the tongues to match. The tongue can be shipped raw, making it very easy to colorize.

[FLATOUT]

SCCA does not want them protruding because it can cause damage to another racers car even from casual contact on the track, that's why it is the shorter of the two.

Thanks Mark, FLATOUT = fail.

[mjorgensen]

Thanks Mark, FLATOUT = fail.

Nah FLATOUT =

[Simms]

Hi all,

Here's a super quick photo guide on the install. Very easy, it's one of those projects that becomes clear as you dive into it. You can access the tubular frame that it mounts to by lifting the hood, removing the thumb screws that secure the air scoop, and removing the plastic piece above the radiator. You don't need to remove the bumper cover, however you do need to remove the top row of screws that secure it, as they also secure this plastic piece above the radiator (see last image)...

How in the HELL do you get your hands and arms in there to install the collar? Even with the hood up, I can't get anywhere near that cross bar! Help! LOL.

Also, when removing the plastic piece over the radiator, my car had some spacer washers between the 6 bolts and facia. Be careful if you car has them. I lost a few pulling that panel out and not knowing they were there.

[VENOM V]

How in the HELL do you get your hands and arms in there to install the collar? Even with the hood up, I can't get anywhere near that cross bar! Help! LOL.

Also, when removing the plastic piece over the radiator, my car had some spacer washers between the 6 bolts and facia. Be careful if you car has them. I lost a few pulling that panel out and not knowing they were there.

Haha, yes it's difficult but I found an angle from under the hood on the passenger side that wasn't too bad. I didn't have any spacer washers under the bumper cover, but I can imagine that they might do that to get it to line up just right. Good luck!