Guys,

Sorry if this is covered somewhere else in the Forum... I searched but didn't really find any posts specifically addressing the installation question.

I have a 06 Liberty Limited. I've purchased the Mopar Front Tow Hooks. My front end/bumper does not match the one in the diagram included with the tow hooks. I am having a lot of difficulty mounting the hooks as I'm having trouble reaching the back bolt with my ratchet.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm guessing I need to somehow get the bumper off but I'm not sure how to do it. Any advice would be appreciated (especially if there is some way to do this without removing the bumper as the diagram included with the hooks would indicate).


Thanks,



Greg

Are these the instructions you got for the hooks: Installing front tow hooks ?

My understanding is that these were designed so that they could be installed without completely removing the bumper, this just shows the bolts/inserts being removed from the bottom (I guess so it is easier to get some of the components inside). Here's a thread on removing the front bumper, complete with a link to instructions and the NAPA part number for the plastic rivets. This is for an '02-'04 but should be similar enough on an '06 to be useful. I used these when I installed my front receiver hitch and it was easy. Good luck!

Oh, I also found this thread on front hook installation problems, may have something in it you can use.

_________________
Kevin
AD5VG
Just another red Jeep in the world...
L.O.S.T. #KB051963

I tried to install myself onto an 03 and couldn't get the nut started on the rear of the M bolt w/the ratchets I had available. I didn't want to take the bumper off myself and potentially cause an issue so I took my liberty to a local Pep Boys where in under an hour they were mounted and good to go. (FYI having the jeep up on the big jacks made a world of difference in the ease of the install - I was trying to install by raising the front end on rhino ramps)

Callaway is right. Height will solve your problem, which I learned from having a dealership finish my front hook installation. You need room under the KJ to be able to sit up or stand, allowing you to approach the M-bolts from under the engine (facing forward) using a rachet extension or two. Without removing the bumper, you most likely won't be able to install the hooks from in front of the vehicle.

The Mopar instructions are frustrating because although they look mechanically simple, they assume you have access to a professional lift.

_________________
2003 Liberty Sport
Bright Silver Metallic
Daystar lift
General Tire Grabber AT2 245/70R16

From what you all say I am glad I have the sport, Tow hooks were simple, hardest part was cutting out the notches in the bumper.

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

I lost one of the nuts that holds the tow hook to the 'frame'. Does anyone know the spec on the nut for a replacement???


thanks

_________________
What could be better than Liberty & Freedom???? Driving a Jeep that is Both!?!?!
2003 4x4 Freedom Edition. 93Kmi. Added: front tow hooks, trailer hitch, EVIC.

The little plastic bag that my nuts came in says M10-1.50

I got them at lowes

Hillman H#880815 Nylon insert lock nut

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

Guys,

Thank you so much for your replies. Very much appreciate the info. That's interesting that the lift makes it easier... I don't remember seeing a way to access it from behind, but I'll take a look this weekend. I'll admit that the last thing I want is the hassle of removing the bumper so maybe I'll have my dealer do it... as I don't have any way to lift the vehicle.


Best regards,



Greg

the dealer near me wanted cose to $150 to install the hooks (he said it would take 2 hours and the bumper would have to come off)

go to a 'pep boys' some other place of that nature if your going to have it installed but stay away from the dealer

Hey Jeger,
I have a gasser '06 sport. So those notches need to be cut out in order to do the install? Did you need a lift, or were you able to just crawl under? What did you use for the cutting?
Thanks!
Steve

_________________
'06 3.7 sport 6 speed (long live manual tranny's)
tinted windows, cruise, midnight blue
Mopar roof rack
Royal Purple Synchromax in tranny
Royal Purple Maxgear in pumpkins
Full mopar skids, front diff collar
Future mods: Rock rails, B.F. Goodrich all terains. (In my dreams: Frankenlift)

I didnt even jack up the front to do it just layed on the cement. I didnt have the nifty threaded clips to do mine but was able to weasel a nut and washer through that slot then put a boxed end wrench in there upside down to get ahold of the nut. If you get all the hardware that comes with the hooks you wont have to worry about that though.

You could probably mount the hooks without cutting out the notches but the hooks would be pressing against the bumper cover, leaving no way to attach a strap. To cut out the notches I used a dremel tool, first a spiral cut bit to rough it out, then a sanding roll to clean up the edges. Was a pretty simple install really.

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

I just drove to my dealership one morning with the hooks loose and asked for help. (Of course, the whole way there I feared the hooks would fall off it I hit a bump.) The service advisor put a mechanic on the job right away and said there'd be no charge. Twenty minutes later, I tipped the mechanic $15 and slipped out the back door. Unfortunately, this is the only time that particular dealership did anything solely for customer satisfaction.

Consider a towing/trailer shop, if you have one nearby. When I couldn't torque down one of the bolts for my rear tow hook, a trailer shop cleaned and tapped the frame and installed the whole hook for $20. Only took 20 minutes, and I paid less than half of what a dealer would have charged.

Good luck!

T.J.

_________________
2003 Liberty Sport
Bright Silver Metallic
Daystar lift
General Tire Grabber AT2 245/70R16