Help with front/back tow hooks

**macrow69** · August 10, 2014, 07:10 PM

I would appreciate suggestions on mounting brackets and tow hooks to use for the front and back of a 2006 Ariel Atom 2. I like the idea of purchasing a standard folding bolt on front tow hook, but I am missing a bracket that goes on the front of the Atom.

FRONT

The front seems to need a bracket to accept a 'standard' bolt on folding tow hook. Are there standard front brackets available or do I need to make one myself? If I need to make one myself, does anyone have one that they designed that they could share here?

BACK

The rear tow hook was ripped off, but the bolts and welded plate are still firmly attached. I need to find the appropriate tow hook for the back bolts. Any suggestions on where to pick one up?

Thank you in advance!

**atom ant** · August 11, 2014, 06:37 AM

Front tow hook is welded on to the nose cone piece along with the front wing mounting plates. The nose cone is available from TMI, I think its ~$250.00.

**Lane** · August 11, 2014, 03:08 PM

There is an add-on frame that goes under the nose for owners that spec a tow hook and/or front wing. If your car has neither, you'll need that piece before adding a front hook. This pic's from DP's site:

a070.jpg

That framework in front of the radiator is what I'm talking about.

The rear looks like this. This photo is from my website's powdercoating photo gallery. Seems to be the same hook front/rear, mounted with two bolts.

Going with this type of design (rather than the Atom 3 design or hook held on by a single bolt longitudinally) is your easiest and most straightforward route on an Atom 2. I'd expect that TMI has these hooks in stock.

**MadMaxAtom** · August 11, 2014, 03:59 PM

That Atom2 bolt on nose cone frame extension is no longer available from Ariel,according to TMI when I asked a while ago. The Atom3 uses a different piece.

Macrow69, your car has that frame,(I am assuming the photo you posted with the yellow bonnet is your car) and all you are missing is the 1" spacer and front hook.

**macrow69** · August 11, 2014, 05:34 PM

Thank you all!

So here is my understanding from all of your great input:
- I checked the front of my Atom (yes the yellow bonnet photo is my Atom) and yes I do have the front metal framework in front of the radiator (posted by Lane). Yay!
- Suggestion is to contact TMI for 1" spacer and front hook to attach to this front metal framework (posted by MadMaxAtom)
- TMI should have the rear two bolt tow hook (posted by Lane). I will reach out to TMI for this item as well.

**Napalm** · August 11, 2014, 07:54 PM

Good luck getting a response from TMI for little orders. I've tried several emails and phone calls. Never a response on emails. They'll answer the phone, but never call back with an answer.

**MadMaxAtom** · August 12, 2014, 03:10 AM

^ During the summer,they are VERY busy..and a small company..so give them some slack. Without them,we would all be up shits creek,so treat them like family,because they are.

Pics of front hook/spacer on Max:

CIMG4496.jpg

CIMG4497.jpg

The silver aluminum tabs visible are something I added to tighten up the fiberglass nose piece so it doesn't wear.Bonnet is off car.

**beckertb** · August 12, 2014, 08:28 AM

I have tried to source hooks from TMI for the past few years and they are out of stock. I just ordered some generics on eBay and bolted them on.......

**MadMaxAtom** · August 12, 2014, 09:26 AM

I doubt the tow eyes are Atom specific..and a generic one should be fine. Maybe you (beckertb) could post a link to the ones you bought off Ebay that did bolt on? The spacer is nothing special as well…a piece of aluminum square stock could be drilled and used.

**macrow69** · August 17, 2014, 05:36 PM

Here is a status update on my tow hooks search for my Ariel Atom 2.

TMI replied and they do not have anything that will help me. They recommended making my own aluminum mount and using standard tow hooks.

Ideally I want a folding and removable front tow hook, so I found this mounting bracket (Rennline Universal Screw in Tow Hook Receiver-Rennline, Inc.) that might work for the front of the Atom. It is on order and shipping via ground, so it will take a little while before I know if it fits the front bracket of the Atom.

I purchased a folding front tow hook from Amazon that should fit into the above bracket: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also purchased a flat tow hook package that has two different shapes, and I am hoping one of them will work for the rear of the Atom: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

After I get the parts and a chance to install them, I will make a final post here.