Are the tow hooks on 1998 LS400 attached to the frame?
07-11-19, 05:39 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Are the tow hooks on 1998 LS400 attached to the frame?
The Lexus part numbers for the tow hooks are 51967-50030 and 51968-50020. I need to tow a car across an open field, would they be fine for this purpose?
Last edited by marvin5881; 07-11-19 at 06:30 AM.
07-11-19, 09:00 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
The bigger concern is chewing up the undercover and cracking paint on front bumper cover with cables.
Suggest you remove engine undercover and front bumper cover first.
07-11-19, 09:13 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
The bigger concern is chewing up the undercover and cracking paint on front bumper cover with cables.
To avoid damage, consider removing plastic engine undercover and front bumper cover before dragging the car across a field.
Last edited by YODAONE; 07-11-19 at 09:16 AM.
07-11-19, 12:46 PM
#5
Lead Lap
There has to be a good story behind this post. Are you going to tell us how this car got on the other side of an open field? Was alcohol involved? Were the words "Hey Y'all, watch this!" said?
When my friend Wayne literally puts his old cars "out to pasture", they stay there. I used to be able to see the cars in satellite images but trees have grown up around them and hide them from view.
When my friend Wayne literally puts his old cars "out to pasture", they stay there. I used to be able to see the cars in satellite images but trees have grown up around them and hide them from view.
07-11-19, 12:56 PM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
I have a friend named Evan who likes to get old, rear-wheel drive beaters and drift them on an acre or so of land that his dad owns. He has this particular area of the field covered with sand that he loves to drift on but it's right next to a huge ditch. He lost control of his crusty old '95 Ford Mustang and the front end went flying directly into the ditch. His rear wheels are stuck in the air and when the car nose-dived into the ditch I guess something with the radiator cracked and it leaked all its fluids out.
I would much rather use the rear tow hooks that come with my Lexus but I don't know if they're attached to the frame, I'm pretty sure they would be but I'd like to confirm this. Does anyone know?
I would much rather use the rear tow hooks that come with my Lexus but I don't know if they're attached to the frame, I'm pretty sure they would be but I'd like to confirm this. Does anyone know?
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Kansas (07-11-19)
07-11-19, 02:47 PM
#7
Attached is an image of the rear tow hooks from a 1998-2000 LS 400. To use them, the "Don't use for Tie-Down" covers must be removed (use a flathead screwdriver with tape or a plastic tool to pry them off without scratching), if they are still present. Don't forget to put them back on afterwards to prevent damage to your vehicle in the event of a tow.
On UCF20/21 cars from 1995-2000, the front tow hooks are welded to the frame rails, while the rear tow hooks are bolted on. On earlier UCF10/11 1990-1994 models, both the front and rear tow hooks are bolted onto the frame.
Overall, I would prefer the front ones over the rear for strength, especially since Toyota does not recommend using the rear tow hooks for tie-down. Any attempt to tow your friend's vehicle is at your own risk.
In the owners manual, see page 207 for an illustration (the following link is for 1998 from Lexus Drivers Official Site):
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...98U_edited.pdf
On UCF20/21 cars from 1995-2000, the front tow hooks are welded to the frame rails, while the rear tow hooks are bolted on. On earlier UCF10/11 1990-1994 models, both the front and rear tow hooks are bolted onto the frame.
Overall, I would prefer the front ones over the rear for strength, especially since Toyota does not recommend using the rear tow hooks for tie-down. Any attempt to tow your friend's vehicle is at your own risk.
In the owners manual, see page 207 for an illustration (the following link is for 1998 from Lexus Drivers Official Site):
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...98U_edited.pdf
Last edited by CELSI0R; 07-11-19 at 02:53 PM.
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07-12-19, 09:30 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
Attached is an image of the rear tow hooks from a 1998-2000 LS 400. To use them, the "Don't use for Tie-Down" covers must be removed (use a flathead screwdriver with tape or a plastic tool to pry them off without scratching), if they are still present. Don't forget to put them back on afterwards to prevent damage to your vehicle in the event of a tow.
On UCF20/21 cars from 1995-2000, the front tow hooks are welded to the frame rails, while the rear tow hooks are bolted on. On earlier UCF10/11 1990-1994 models, both the front and rear tow hooks are bolted onto the frame.
Overall, I would prefer the front ones over the rear for strength, especially since Toyota does not recommend using the rear tow hooks for tie-down. Any attempt to tow your friend's vehicle is at your own risk.
In the owners manual, see page 207 for an illustration (the following link is for 1998 from Lexus Drivers Official Site):
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...98U_edited.pdf
On UCF20/21 cars from 1995-2000, the front tow hooks are welded to the frame rails, while the rear tow hooks are bolted on. On earlier UCF10/11 1990-1994 models, both the front and rear tow hooks are bolted onto the frame.
Overall, I would prefer the front ones over the rear for strength, especially since Toyota does not recommend using the rear tow hooks for tie-down. Any attempt to tow your friend's vehicle is at your own risk.
In the owners manual, see page 207 for an illustration (the following link is for 1998 from Lexus Drivers Official Site):
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...98U_edited.pdf
Anyone have part number for the plugs?
Thanks.
Last edited by YODAONE; 07-12-19 at 09:34 AM.
07-12-19, 12:35 PM
#9
Pole Position
I have a friend named Evan who likes to get old, rear-wheel drive beaters and drift them on an acre or so of land that his dad owns. He has this particular area of the field covered with sand that he loves to drift on but it's right next to a huge ditch. He lost control of his crusty old '95 Ford Mustang and the front end went flying directly into the ditch. His rear wheels are stuck in the air and when the car nose-dived into the ditch I guess something with the radiator cracked and it leaked all its fluids out.
I would much rather use the rear tow hooks that come with my Lexus but I don't know if they're attached to the frame, I'm pretty sure they would be but I'd like to confirm this. Does anyone know?
I would much rather use the rear tow hooks that come with my Lexus but I don't know if they're attached to the frame, I'm pretty sure they would be but I'd like to confirm this. Does anyone know?
I'm sure anyone who read your first post was thinking the Lexus was stuck and needed to be pulled. I've never seen the LS used as a tow/recovery vehicle before. But hey, if it works and ya don't screw it up, why not right? Have fun when you're young.
07-12-19, 11:14 PM
#10
I don't think I ever found a part number.
Go to a junkyard and check any 1st gen LS, SC, GS, or 2nd gen LS, GS. The covers were supposed to be installed upon delivery to the dealer, and get removed when a car is towed sometimes.
Note that the covers are very easy to damage with a screwdriver, but come right off if you pry them. Once you get one half off, you can just push the inner tabs and remove the other half, leaving it undamaged. There are two covers (halves) per rear tow hook
Go to a junkyard and check any 1st gen LS, SC, GS, or 2nd gen LS, GS. The covers were supposed to be installed upon delivery to the dealer, and get removed when a car is towed sometimes.
Note that the covers are very easy to damage with a screwdriver, but come right off if you pry them. Once you get one half off, you can just push the inner tabs and remove the other half, leaving it undamaged. There are two covers (halves) per rear tow hook
07-13-19, 07:38 AM
#11
AAHHHH, to be young again.
I'm sure anyone who read your first post was thinking the Lexus was stuck and needed to be pulled. I've never seen the LS used as a tow/recovery vehicle before. But hey, if it works and ya don't screw it up, why not right? Have fun when you're young.
I'm sure anyone who read your first post was thinking the Lexus was stuck and needed to be pulled. I've never seen the LS used as a tow/recovery vehicle before. But hey, if it works and ya don't screw it up, why not right? Have fun when you're young.
07-21-19, 06:45 PM
#12
it seems to me that tying down, e.g. to a flatbed truck, would be a lot less dynamic stress than actually using them for towing. and towing is pretty stressful, innit? strange, that.
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