2005 Front Tow Hook Install

kayadog · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:46 am

Hi--

Can someone explain to me how to install front tow hooks on my '05 Sport? I did a forum search but find that function difficult to do.

NjjeepKJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:04 am

Are u using Mopar hooks made for the libby, and do u have all the hardware?

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:03 am

3rd one down.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=192247#192247

I put them on my 05 sport. One thing they don't say is to clean out your threads first with a toothbrush and something like WD40. Having a (can't think of the name right now) socket adapter thing that lets you tighten at an angle helps to.

kayadog · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:15 am

That's a great resource. I notice the illustrations are of a pre-05. Is it the same and are the bolts the same on an 05+? I'm getting the hooks from cacher123 but need to order the bolts.

NjjeepKJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:25 am

good luck... i have an 05 got the hooks from here, no hardware, i tried very hard to find just the bolts, u orbasbly wont find them. i still instaled mine, made my own hardware, if u want info PM me

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:25 am

kayadog wrote:

That's a great resource. I notice the illustrations are of a pre-05. Is it the same and are the bolts the same on an 05+? I'm getting the hooks from cacher123 but need to order the bolts.

Not sure what it looks like under a 05' bumper, nor how easy it is to take off the 05' bumper, but I just bought a set of hooks for my 02' sport from tjkj2002. I didn't have the hardware so I went to the hardware store and picked up 6 grade 8 bolts (3 for each hook) and locknuts and took the bumper off of my sport in 20 mins. It took longer to put the hooks on than it did to get the bumper back on. Four 10mm bolts on the bottom, and then pop out nermous rivets and plastic deals. You'll need some pop rivets for the edge of the bumper, Napa part # 770-2871 (for the 02'-04's atleast). I broke some wierd clips and I had to get those straight from a Jeep dealership, but if you're careful, you can take them off without breaking them.

The reason I had to the bumper off is because the hooks mounted inside the main frame rails and I had to get in there to tighten the nuts on the bolts. When you get the bumper off there are 2 black covers with 8mm screws. It took me less than a half an hour to reinstall the bumper.

Or you could just get the hardware.... :lol:

(probably a whole lot easier). I just didn't want to wait on it. Plus I learned some stuff while I took the bumper off.

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:52 am

You do NOT have to remove the bumper for an 05. Took about 10 min to install but just make sure your threads are clean (in the KJ) and it will be easy. I got mine for $80.00 from the dealer. I don't know how much you paid w/o the hardware but figuring your time, gas to hardware store and money spent on hardware....

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:56 am

Does Jpart.com still sell the hardware? I know that they did for alittle while..

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:34 am

chetos wrote:

You do NOT have to remove the bumper for an 05. Took about 10 min to install but just make sure your threads are clean (in the KJ) and it will be easy. I got mine for $80.00 from the dealer. I don't know how much you paid w/o the hardware but figuring your time, gas to hardware store and money spent on hardware....

So the 05' has threads to install the hooks? Didn't know that! The 02'-04's just had holes, and the hardware was necessary unless you took the time to do what I did. I got the hooks used for $33 shipped, the hardware store is less than 4 miles from my house (local...so not alot of gas spent), and the hardware was around $4 total including tax. So I saved some money and shipping time... :wink:

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:48 am

Seriously, I am on crack!! Here am thinking tow hooks and my hitch receiver. No they don't have threads. Wow, maybe I should go back to sleep this morning!!

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:58 am

chetos wrote:

Seriously, I am on crack!! Here am thinking tow hooks and my hitch receiver. No they don't have threads. Wow, maybe I should go back to sleep this morning!!

Okay yea...I was confused also.

Happens to the best of us...

Again, we are speaking of the front tow hooks...I bet it would sound funny talking about taking the bumper off to install a rear tow hook.. :lol:

kayadog · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:19 pm

Is it true that I can use 1/4" U-bolts from home depot?

NjjeepKJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:08 pm

i made my own u-bolts lol

i'll have to double check what i used, i got threaded stock wire from a local tru-value cut it and bent it in a vise and it works great

FastTRX · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:53 pm

NjjeepKJ wrote:

i made my own u-bolts lol

i'll have to double check what i used, i got threaded stock wire from a local tru-value cut it and bent it in a vise and it works great

My dad was going to do that...but we changed our mind. But it defintley is a great option if you find the right rod to work.

the_titan · **Joined:** Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:11 pm **Posts:** 14

Bent your own in a vise? I can't advise against that strongly enough given what these are used for. Buying tow hooks and side steps used without hardware is a very bad idea because they don't use any off the shelf hardware, nor can they be jury rigged to work. You have to buy the parts directly from the manufacturer, not Mopar, the MANUFACTURER and they are expensive as a result. The Mopar rails use the same type of bolt and they cost $45 for the set from the manufacturer in Canada.

kayadog · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:30 am

The dealer can order the hardware (pricey but I'll still come out ahead).

Now how the hell do I get the m bolts into the frame rails? It looks like the bumper has to come off. (Remember, its an '05)

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:15 am

The dealer can no longer get the M-bolts they have this plat with two studs welded onto it. the plate is about as thick as the material its going to go through. I know when i saw it i didnt trust it. i thought of the all thread as well but then there is the whole shear load they are rated at. To get the bumper off you have to drill the plastic rivets out and get new ones from the dealer

the_titan · **Joined:** Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:11 pm **Posts:** 14

You do not need to remove the fascia to install these... For that matter, you're supposed to cut out those squares in front of the hooks once you install them to get proper clearance for a tow strap, but I had almost a full inch so left them in place. I put them on an 06 with minimal effort and I don't have small hands either. Just make sure you have a 10mm deep socket for the longer thread, and a shallow 10mm for the shorter one. Install the long thread to the front because it is a &#%*$ to get back there and torque the rearfacing thread...the less the better. I used the shallow socket on a swivel and 10 inch extension arm on the back and it isn't fun, but it works. So again, find out who manufactured the tow hooks for Mopar, and call them directly. I don't recall seeing any manufacturer branding on them like some other parts, but it may be. Ground Effects Ltdmakes the Mopar side steps and rails and use the same bolts (not necessarily the same size) so I wouldn't be surprised if they made these.

kayadog · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:02 pm

How do you get the bolts into the framerail to drop them down through the holes? There doesn't seem to be any way to access the inside of the framerail with the bumper on. I am not a very talented mechanic.

tulsa · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:19 am

kayadog,
With my 05 the front bumper cover had to be pulled back to remove the crush caps before installing the retained bolts. The only way to avoid this is to use M bolts supplied with some hook sets.

2005 Front Tow Hook Install

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