Tow or Tie Down Hooks / Rings

[boyblunda]

I hesitated before posting this in an old thread or whether to start a new thread altogether as I am unclear on this point – if starting a new thread is not the go then perhaps it can be deleted and the post transferred to this thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20705&highlight=tow+hooks.

I was looking at a friend’s 260Z 2 seater the other day which has been done up for a little club sport driving. There was a tow sticker indicating the tie down hook as being a tow hook for the vehicle. He was a little taken aback when I advised my recollection that the tie down hook was not a tow hook. This stuck in my mind and I went looking for verification on this matter and found the thread quoted above with some conflicting information and thoughts from those who posted.

Moonpup quoted in the above thread:

It may have had a dual purpose, but my 1972 Owners Manual states;

"If you find it necessary to have yours towed, it is important that the towing rope be fastened only to hook that attach the frame, as illustrated.

The rope must be routed under the bottom edge of the bumper. Admittable load of the hook is less than 2,200lb."

On this thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17998&highlight=tow+hooks 26th-Z quotes

“My chassis manual, page GI-11, Figure GI-11 says the tow ring has an "admittable load of less than 2,205 lbs. (1,000 kg)". I guess that means if it weighs more, don't admit it.

This thread also goes into a discussion on the various shapes and deployment of these items for those that want information on that point.

Hmmm. The 260Z 2 seater is 2393 lbs and the 2+2 is quoted as 2557lbs or 2612lbs (the latter for Australia) so I was still not sure of my thoughts here. I checked one reference for the weight of a 240Z and found that listed as 2230lbs. More information needed.

I subsequently went to my own Datsun 260Z Owners Manual Issued December 1976(050070) and found on page 43 under Towing this :

Warning:

a) Only the front hooks at the right and left sides may be used for towing purposes. Do not use the rear hooks for towing as these have been designed as tie down hooks and are not strong enough to stand up to towing.

Be sure to have the rear hooks removed at your NISSAN/DATSUN dealer if they have been left on the car.

The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency situation eg to pull the car out of a ditch, a snow bank or mud.

When towing do not take up the slack too quickly.

Always pull the rope in a straight direction with respect to the hook. Do not apply force to the hook in side direction.

c) It may be illegal to tow a car on the highway with a rope.

However, I was certain that at some stage the front tie downs were not rated as tow hooks as apparently some other posters to the first above thread had been. I kept delving and then found this reference:

Nissan Motor Co Ltd Tokyo Japan, Service Bulletin 215, Issued September 1974 (010245) Modification Of Datsun 260Z Model S30 Series. This publication aims at addressing the differences between the 240Z and the 260Z models in the introduction of the newer car.

Page 15

BODY

The body has been basically carried forward from the previous design. However, modifications have been made as follows:

1.Construction

The front tie down hook has changed. The front tie down hook alone can be used for towing.And on pages 21 & 22

Section 8.1 Front Tie Down Hook

A strengthened hook has been installed on each side front cross member.

The hook has been moved outward due to the enlarged radiator, redesigned radiator core support and splash board.

Section 8.2 Rear Tie Down Hook

The rear tie down hook remains the same. It cannot be used for towing. The hook should be removed before the delivery of a new car.

I do not pretend to have uncovered all of the relevant information in this matter and am sure that others will be able to chime in. But it would seem that at one point in production there was a change in the quality and placement of the tie down hook that accompanied a change in statements from the manufacturer with regard to the suitability of the feature for use as a tow hook (the picture in Bulletin 215 actually shows a ring).

If members are thinking of using the tie down hook/ring for towing then they may be well advised to check the year of manufacture and their owner’s manual before doing so.

[26th-Z]

You did a nice bit of research there!

[boyblunda]

Thankyou 26th - very nice of you to say so.

I do suspect that there is much more that could be said here but this is a good example of many people being correct in what has been said in past given the country or location they live in, the particular year and model of their S30 plus some historical quirks that can throw a wild card into making absolute statements about anything to do with Zeds.

This forum has taught me that verification is essential before making an absolute statement. The statements that Moonpup and yourself made in previous threads were quotes from authoritive sources that significantly helped me in my "research".

I am sure that more information is to be found in this and other matters.

Regards

[sblake01]

Here's what it says about the towing hooks in the US 1978 280Z owners manual:

[bjhines]

For the front hooks there is a doubler plate welded inside the bottom of the 240Z frame rails.. it is ~3/16" thick, 1.5" wide, and 3 inches long...

IIRC the later models had a formed gusset capturing the bottom, sides, and top of the front frame-rails... This made ti much stronger than the original design...