Chrome Tow Hooks
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Shelbyville
Chrome Tow Hooks
Okay I found some of the cool chrome tow hooks but when looking, how the crap do I get the old ones off. I can't get to the bolts and not sure I can get a wrench on the nuts. Any help greatly apreciated. THANKS, Gary
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'll assume you have a 4x4. The nuts don't come off they're welded in place. The bolts come off from underneath. In which case my advice is to take the bumper off. Which is easy to do. It's a total of 6 bolts, 2 on each side of the front bumper next to the tow hooks and one for each bracket attached to the spring hanger's inside each wheel well. The bumper weighs very little. Once the bumper is off it's a lot easier to get to the bolts that hold the tow hooks in place. Though you can get to them without taking the bumper off with a swivel attachment on a long extension, but it's better to take the bumper off. This allows you to properly re-torque the bolts once you've put the new hooks in place. The bolts you will be removing for the tow hooks are also part of the system that holds the spring hangers on(don't worry, removing the tow hook bolts won't cause the spring hanger's to come loose). If you have a 4x2 just use a long extension on a ratchet and unbolt the hooks.
ON EDIT: Don't forget to unhook the foglights, if you have them, before taking the bumper off.
ON EDIT: Don't forget to unhook the foglights, if you have them, before taking the bumper off.
Last edited by EnviroCon; Jan 9, 2006 at 12:16 AM.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 64
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From: NY
If you don't have driving lights, and have considered installing them. The time to do it is while the bumper is off. Kits are available from many sources, a search in these forums under driving or fog lights will provide a wealth of information. Check out the 9005 bulbs as well!
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 944
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From: Happy Valley, Oregon
Envirocon is right, it is very easy to change. I have chrome tow hooks also. I didn't take off the bummper though. It takes a little work but they do come out and go back on in a realativley short amount of time.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: 39 24'34.8" N 88 47'51" W
I changed mine without removing the bumper. 12" extension and a swivel socket with a rachet and they came right off. I made some extension bracket or plates to move the tow hook forward so you can put a strap or tow chain in without scratching the bumper. They also double as a step up to see inside the engine compartment.
