I have a couple of parts from my Hensley Arrow hitch that I need to paint again so I figured I'd mix a full cup of paint and knock out the trailer's tongue and the Ex's reciever hitch, both of which are a little dull looking. After a quick peek under the the Ex it looks like the best (only?) way to get the bumper off is to release all of the squeeze clips on the underside of the bumper top plastic then unbolt the chrome outer bumper from the inner structure. Then the inner can be unbolted from the frame to gain near full access to the hitch for prep and paint. Is this about right? I'm afraid of the plastic squeeze clips/tabs, I have a bad history of mangling these type of things, is there any special trick to properly handling them so they go back on and hold?

 

You dont need to pull your bumper pad, just pull your bumper and brackets as one from the frame. Using a impact wrench makes it much easier.

 

There's two bolts with nuts on them on each side of the rear bumper brackets remove them and disconnect all wires from the bumper. Remove bumper.

Pay no attention to trailer hitch as it is not hooked to the bumper.

 

Thanks for the replys guys. As I said I only took a quick peek at this, but it looked to me that I didn't have any way to access the backside of the frame mount bolts/nut (the inside didn't look accessable). It sure would be a lot easier if I can just drop it from there, it would save me from murdering all those poor innocent plastic tabs!
Urban, paying attention to the trailer hitch is what got me to this question .
I'll have get under and have a better look!

 

The bumper is off and the little plastic tabs are safe! Thanks again guys, you were spot on. I was looking at the nuts on the bracket mount to the frame, couldn't figure out how to deal with the unaccessable bolts that need to move to allow the brackets to slide away from the truck. Duh! If I would have looked 6" more to the rear it would have been a little more obvious, 5 minutes job! Reps sent to you guys!

 

Hello, since you all are talking about bumpers, what is the best way to remove the reverse park sensors, I need to replace them and not sure the best to remove them, and suggestions, Thank you

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post9148537

 

My reverse sensors are hazed over and they kept beeping even though nothing was behind me so I squirted on some tire shine and now they work again haha.

Guess I'll have to fix 'em one day but it's worked for about 3-4 months so far!