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Ford F-150/F-250: How to Install a Tow Hook

Even if you don't go off-roading, you may find a set of hooks useful one day. Here is a step by step breakdown with everything you need to know about adding tow hooks for your Ford F-150 or Super Duty truck.

By Brett Foote - October 16, 2014

This article applies to the Ford F-150 (2004-2014) and F-250, F-350 Super Duty (2005-2014).

If you are an avid off road enthusiast, you probably already know that tow hooks are worth their weight in gold if your truck gets stuck in muck. There is a reason most four wheel drive trucks come straight from the factory with these hooks, and that is because they are the safest tool by which to tie tow lines when trying to rescue a truck from mud, snow, or sand.

Material

  • Lug wrench
  • Car jack
  • 2 jack stands
  • 10mm allen wrench
  • Safety goggles
  • Socket wrench
  • 3/4" socket

Figure 1. Front hooks on a Ford F-150.

Step 1 - Jack up your truck and remove the tires

  • Park your truck on level ground and set the parking brake.
  • Loosen the lug nuts from both front wheels.
  • Jack the truck up and place a jack stand under each axle.
Figure 2. Place the jack on the axle.
  • Remove the front wheels and tires.

(Related Article: How to Change a Tire - Ford-Trucks.com)

Step 2 - Remove front bumper cover

Find bumper cover screws on either side of the bumper and use the 10mm allen wrench to remove them.

Figure 3. Remove the bolts holding the bumper cover in place.

Step 3 - Locate predrilled holes on front of chassis

  • Lie under the front end of your truck and look up at the bumper frame and look up to find predrilled holes on bumper.
  • Put the screw and a nut through the predrilled hole in the frame. Begin turning it right so it can go in, but don't tighten it all the way just yet.
Figure 4. Insert the screws and nuts in the frame.

Step 4 - Install the new tow hook

  • Slide the tow hook under the bolt. Use a 3/4" socket to tighten the bolts (as seen in Figure 5 below).
  • Repeat the same process on the other side if you want to have two tow hooks in the front.
Figure 5. Install the new tow hook.

Step 5 - Reinstall bumper and tires

  • Reattach the front bumper cover to the bumper frame.
  • Reinstall the tires.

Rear Bumper Tow Hooks

You don't need tow hooks on the rear bumper as you can use your hitch in the case of an emergency. In fact, community experts don't recommend installing tow hooks on the back of your truck as the process requires either welding or drilling into the frame. There are some receiver tow hooks that are manufactured to fit your rear bumper hitch.

(Related Article: How to Install a Trailer Hitch - Ford-Trucks.com)

Featured Video: How to Install Tow Hooks on F-150/F-250 Truck

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