How to: Fit towhooks to an '05+

[jhblackwell]

I know...how did I screw up on this?

So the M bolt/screw, I put it in the wrong way. No prob, just slide it through the way I put it in. Nope, fell over in the bumper. So now to get it, do I have to remove the bumper to get to it? If so, how shall I do that?

TIA.

You would have to on an '06. I assume an '05 would be similar. Actually, you remove the plastic bumper cover. Following is part of how I installed my front shackles with how you remove the grill and bumper, etc.

pop hood and release clips at top of front grill, starting at headlights

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continue releasing clips along top of grille

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lean grill top out to release lower clips and remove grill.

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unscrew each turn signal lens.

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pull assembly out of slot in fender cowling

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remove bolt from fender cowling at headlight

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remove bolt on bottom of cowling by bottom of radiator, each side

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pry plastic pop rivet off at bottom, each side

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pry pop rivet off at leading edge of front fender well lining

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slide screw driver, etc., behind head of pop rivet and carefully pry out

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release clip at top of cowling by wheel well

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gently pull on turn signal harness rivet and remove from cowling

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twist turn signal bulb socket and remove. cowling should drop off

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front of KJ with plastic removed

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remove all three nuts from tow hooks and remove

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remove "w", or double bolt leaving spring clip nut in place

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remove access hole cap

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tow hook access hole ready to modify

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Once you have the access hole cap off you can retrieve the "M" bolt. Hope this helps.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Nice write up...saved me!

 

[twack]

Nice work can you throw up a pic of it all done

 

[HoosierJeeper]

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[Uncle Krusty]

Love the write-up, and the pics were great - always worth a thousand words... Especially the last one of the whole thing re-assembled.

My only question is why you didn't cut out the areas around the hooks for better access? I don't mean to be critical, as I may have a problem chopping into mine some day as well, but the cut-out areas are clearly defined in the bumper, and I think with it off even I could follow the lines... Id tape them up first to protect the finish, but some carefull work with even a hacksaw would be all that is needed.

 

[willy88]

thank gawd this was here. was about to cut a hole through my bumper to fit my hooks! haha

 

[HoosierJeeper]

A few more pics during the installation:

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[JeepINgeek]

dude?! why?1 i did mine with the bumper on lmao
just gota take yoru time... oh well

 

[eyehatetofu]

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I like how HJ has a fancy shoe polisher in his garage. Not only does his KJ need to be spotless, but apparently his shoes do as well

 

[mag03kj]

(lol)

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yeah, I'm a bit OCD about those too....

Geeky: I dropped the M bolt in the frame....so that was my only option...

 

[JeepINgeek]

oh dude that *****@!!! i was terrified to do that..

but i also wasnt goign to be able to take off my skin.

and i kinda wondered about the ocd.

 

[JeepINgeek]

btw.. nice writeup!

 

[Dave]

HJ, you need to cut out the access holes on the bumper just above the hooks. I used a dremel when I did mine and it went through the plastic bumper like it was butter. Just hold the dremel steady and follow the indentation for the cut-out on the bumper.

Dave

 

[JeepINgeek]

i used a blade and took my time. then i used a tool i kept from working at fabriform ( make dumpester lids) and removed the burs.

 

[LibertyOrDeath]

If you have trimmed your bumper you don't need to take of the cover. I just used a ratchet strap to pull the cover out a bit, removed the cap and installed the tow hook.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I need to do that. I need to get a better cut off wheel for my dremel though.

 

[JeepINgeek]

on the flip side.. chains and straps arent going to come off easily ( these hooks didnt come with a spring..)

 

[Dave]

I need to do that. I need to get a better cut off wheel for my dremel though.

Cut it HJ. You can do it. Then wax the cut......

Dave

 

[mag03kj]

(lol)