Excursion Grille Guard - Tow Hook Removal
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Acreage
Excursion Grille Guard - Tow Hook Removal
I purchased a Polar Bear 1-piece grille guard for my 2003 Excursion and it is necessary to remove the tow hooks to mount the brackets that came with the grille guard. I am having a bear (no pun intended) of a time finding a way to get at the bolts holding the tow hooks to the frame. Anybody have any advice? I could probably use an assembly diagram of the bumper & air dam, etc. Does Haynes make a manual for the Excursion yet?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Sweet Home Alabama
I heard that it was very time consuming to do that so I ordered one that just bolted along side of it. One of my tow hooks is an inch closer to center than the other one and Ford would not move it for me which again leads me to believe that it is not the easiest. I tried to unbolt it with no success. My grill guard just sits a little of center but only I notice it.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
You have to remove the bumper to get to the tow hook bolts (access them from under the tow hooks).
Make sure you put the bolts back after you remove the tow hooks since they are securing other pieces of the suspension.
Make sure you put the bolts back after you remove the tow hooks since they are securing other pieces of the suspension.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: San Diego
Sucks!
I took mine off just because they were beat up and I never used them and the process it is a bit of a pain in the butt. It has been a while so I don't remember all the steps but Monsta is right you need to (at least) losen one side of the bumper at a time to gain access to the bolts. It probably would be easier just to take the whole thing off. The bumper is actually quite lite so you can do this yourself without much trouble, although when reattaching the bumper it would help to have someone hold it straight while you torque down the bolts. You will need an assortment of cresent wrenches as sockets won't fit most of the bolts(you'll see what I mean). Like I said I can't remember the details but just be prepared to get frustrated trying to find wrenches that will work. Other than that is is simple. As for the grill guard, I hav no idea. Good luck and remember, when you get frustrated, throw stuff AWAY from the truck 
!
!
Last edited by dliguori; Nov 9, 2004 at 01:41 AM.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
I had no trouble using sockets when removing my tow hooks.
I think you need a swivel and extension when removing the hooks themselves.
I removed mine to install Hella 550's in their place.
I think you need a swivel and extension when removing the hooks themselves.
I removed mine to install Hella 550's in their place.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: San Diego
That's weird. At least one bolt on each side on my truck had the bolt on the border of the frame and the frame is actually notched for the head of the bolt, making it impossible to put a socket on. I was going to say maybe it's a model year thing but my truck is a 00' as well. Well, I guess we'll get another perspective once blugeon does his thing.
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Junior User
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From: Acreage
I will let you know how it goes. I have Eddie Bower trim on mine. I assume some of that plastic has to come off to get the bumper off. There is also a plastic air dam below the bumper that looks like it has to come off. There also appears to be a steel support member just behind the bumper that joins the two frame rails. I sure wish I had an assembly diagram!
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: San Diego
On mine the air dam and the steel support all come off with the bumper. Just remove the 4 bolts and the entire assembly, support and air dam, should come off. Good luck!
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I just installed a Smittybilt grill guard on a 2003 F-350. The tow hooks are retained, but I had to drill a pair of 1/2" diameter holes just inboard of the tow hooks to allow additional bolts to be used to mount the mounting plates. Ford uses real metal in this area, cheap drill bits need not apply. BTW, the original tow hook bolts required an 18mm socket to remove. A lot of socket sets provide 17 & 19mm, but not 18.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Acreage
Well, I was able to remove the bumper as you guys suggested. There were four bolts on the front of the bumper (18 mm socket) and two up inside the fenderwells (I think they took a 14 or 15 mm). I was able to leave the wires to the fog lights in place by suspending the bumper by a rope. I removed the tow hooks then I had to take an abrasive cutting wheel and cut the bottom portion of that black square metal plate that surrounds the tow hook opening. I then remounted the bumper. By removing that portion of the plate, I then had access to the underside of the tow hook channel so that I was able to get the bolts for the grille guard brackets in place. A bit of work, but without you guys telling me how to take the bumper off, it would have taken a lot longer! Thanks.
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