Stealership Strikes Again (Sorry, a bit long)

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:31 am

Yesterday I brought in my Jeep for its first oil change and to have the windshield wiper moter replaced (it failed last weekend). This is all fine and covered by warranty. While it was there I was going to have them install 2 front tow hooks and 2 Renegade lights on the bumper. I get a call today from the service advisor and he says $200 for the hooks and they cannot install the lights on the bumper because they aren't compatable with this Jeep. What? I called a week ago to get an estimate. They said $100 for everything installed. I thought it seemed low but what exactly were they thinking when I called and asked to put on tow hooks and lights? Don't they have the same install sheets that are available on this website, let alone in their service manuals? The service advisor said he has to go on what the install guys told him. Rediculous! I canceled the install right then and now am just waiting for the wiper motor so I can get my Jeep back and drive over the Ford focus they gave me as a loaner vehicle. :evil:

Anyone have any advice on where to get these parts installed? I have an '07 so the hook slots have to be cut out and the light spots have to be drilled in. I could do this myself if I had the proper tools.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:27 pm

why do people keep going to the dealer when they know that you will get ripped every time! Never could understand that!

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:32 pm

So go get the proper tools and do it yourself, you'll still end up saving money and have tools for your next mods.

Boi1ermaker · **Joined:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 249

Quote:

they cannot install the lights on the bumper because they aren't compatable with this Jeep

They don't fit on a sport (and probably anything other than a renegade)...if i remember correctly, only one mounting holes lines up between the bracket and the bumper, and its not enough to support the light. I have them on my sport, and i had to cut the mounting bracket some before i welded it on. The dealership should know this, but i'm not surprised they don't. I called three separate dealerships before i bought the lights to make sure it would work. Not only did they not mount, the renegade kit i received didn't even come with a harness, i had to make my own.

Glad you told them to take a hike, that's absolute garbage that they tried to charge you twice as much for only part of the work.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:58 pm

Hey Boiler, got pics? I would like to see how they fit.

Boi1ermaker · **Joined:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 249

not at the moment. i've had tow hooks i've been putting off installing; i'll do that tonight and take pics while the bumper is off. May not be til really late tho, i don't get done work until after midnight.

Haven't seen anybody else try this...here's a pic after the install. Kind of don't like the fog light holes behind them. I picked up messed up grille to experiment with using bondo or something to fill in the holes.

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:07 pm

The tow hooks are fairly easy.

First take off the grill. It clips in at the top, two tabs and three clips I believe, no screws to remove.
Second remove the bumper. A little bit more difficult.
Remove the reusable rivets in the front wheel well.
Remove the couple of screws along the top of the bumper.
I didn't bother to disconnect any of the wiring harness, just bunged it up to the hood release hook to get it out of the way.
Remove the screws that hold the two black covers that protect the frame rails (unibody)
My Jeep already had the neccessary holes so I didn't have to drill. I assume they all come with the holes
Insert the nut blocks into the frame rail over the holes and screw in the hook and bolt from the bottom. Helps to have extra hands to do this. Tighten them down.
Reverse disassembly.

took about an hour

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:01 pm

I hav an 07 limited and I did not have to remove the bumper to install my tow hooks. Might have been easier to get to the bolts, but much harder in the bumper removal and re-install. In the install instrucyions they don't even have the bumper off.

The tow hook brackets are easy.
Install instuctions here: (need adobe acrobat reader)

http://site.justforjeeps.com/guide/82206124.pdf

many other install guides here:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=10813

I agree. Buy the tools and do it yourself. you will be glad you did.

Boi1ermaker · **Joined:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 249

here are a couple of pics of my fog light brackets. Takes me about 20 mins total to get the bumper on and off, so instead of waiting until tonight i did it during a break at work. You'll need a 10 mm socket for any bolts you encounter, a flathead screwdriver for the plastic rivets in the wheel well. If you decide to pull off the turn signal, i believe its either a T-15 or T-20 torx bit. The second pic is the best i can do to show where i had to make a cut. Its been a while, but i'm pretty sure the piece that was cut off curved up from the cut point and had another mounting hole. Not only did the hole not line up with anything, but i think that part of the bracket got in the way of the header panel. Sorry the pics aren't of the best quality, best i could do with the camera on my phone.

mount weld point
top view/cut area
straight on view

looks like need to pick up some por-15.....

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:36 am

I appreciate it Boi1er, thanks for taking the time to do that. I have a friend who wrenches on anything he can get his hands on so he has the tools, I just need to find the time to get there. Woodys, thanks for the links but I needed the install for the '07 bumper. I assume it is very similar but not sure. Bugnout, is it necessary to completely remove the grill and the bumper if I cut out/dremmel the preformed sections for the hooks, or can I cut those then install? I have seen the stock pics with the plastic pieces left in after the hooks were installed and it looks useless as you wouldn't be able to get a strap on anyway.

Stealership Strikes Again (Sorry, a bit long)

Who is online