Install of oem tow hooks on a 14 Express

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R.L.K.

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I purchased a set of used OEM tow hooks from a member here on the forum , I found a tow hook DIY here but I did a couple things different to keep the hooks from hitting my bumper and to open the gap a bit more to make it easier to install a strap .

My truck : 2014 4x4 QC EXPRESS with painted bumpers.
This is how I did it .

First I painted the exposed area of the hooks with VHT Roll bar and Chassis paint.

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Next I removed the black plastic bumper insert for measuring and for cutting the holes for the hooks to protrude through.
I started with a much smaller hole , took a couple attempts to get it right .

REMOVAL IS NOT REQUIRED IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE MY MEASUREMENTS.

ADVICE ON CUTTING , if you use a heat gun to warm it up it cuts really , really easy with a sharp xacto knife . Be careful don't heat too much , start off on low for about 10 seconds max .

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Both sides cut the same ! Easy to cut while installed , I actually finished cutting mine while installed .

I wanted to install the hooks with the opening outward , but due to the design of the hooks and how they install from the inside and things being in the way when I installed them with the hooks opening outward they wer contacting pretty good on the bumper without the insert installed .
So I installed the opening inward , I believe this is how they are supposed to be mounted because the way the bumper is shaped .

EDIT ××××××××××EDIT××××××××××EDIT

actually with the steel bumpers ( which are made for hooks) I think they go outward . They are functional either way.

Even inward the hook was aprox .030" from the bumper so I modified the brackets a little to lift the hooks up to have it up off the bumper aprox 5/16ths of an inch .
Bracket modified.

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I cut the right side above and on the left of the hole , opened the bottom of both holes a bit , to allow the bracket to be raised in its mounting location , and I knock out the alignment pin .


Hook mounted with modified bracket .

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I then painted them while installed

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Hooks installed .

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Touched up paint after install because I scratched thisone during install.

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Sorry so log , I hope this helps someone !

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆EDIT☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

FOR ANYONE READING MY ORIGINAL POST HERE AND WANT YOUR HOOKS TO POINT OUTWARD INSTEAD OF INWARD LIKE MINE ON AN EXPRESS OR SPORT OR A PAINTED BUMPER CHECK OUT POST #22 & BEYOND FOR (KEN226) HE HAS MADE BRACKETS TO ACCOMMODATE OUTWARD HOOKS ! POST #44 IS HIS PROTOTYPE.

THIS IS A LINK TO Ken226 's 1rst post , just read on from there ! Fantastic intuition.

http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?p=1495081
 
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Ricks Ram

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Nice write up! I did exactly the same thing. Had to turn them around just like you did.
 

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madrock

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Nicely done. I wish I would have known to use the heat gun when I did mine.
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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For what it's worth they make bezels to put around the hooks to cover an ugly cut out if needed , they also make a replacement black insert for hooks installed , I've never seen either so not sure of the quality .
I opted to just trim my insert , once I figured out how easy it was to cut once heated .
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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Nicely done. I wish I would have known to use the heat gun when I did mine.
You have to be careful to not heat too much , this stuff cuts like cold butter once heated properly . You could probably get it hot enough with a hair dryer .
I read one guy say he parked in the direct sunlight and it helped .
 

SitKneelBend

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Looks good. For the record they can be mounted with the openings outboard (you have to take out more of the black bezel). You can also clean up the look by adding cheap black auto door trim from any auto parts store. I did a write-up on the other forum but here are some pics. The tow hooks are not touching the painted surface, there is the tiniest bit of bezel protruding that keeps them from resting on the fascia.

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RR7_905RAM

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When I first saw a truck with hooks they were outward and to me it looked wrong but who knows whats right.

Looks good,nice write-up!
 

jknappen

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For what it's worth they make bezels to put around the hooks to cover an ugly cut out if needed , they also make a replacement black insert for hooks installed , I've never seen either so not sure of the quality .
I opted to just trim my insert , once I figured out how easy it was to cut once heated .

They sell them on mopar parts online however they say that they wont fit express or painted bumpers
 

crash_eco

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Faced outwards is practical when you hook up a cable to each one for a snatch block, the tension pulls to the inside of the hook. If they are facing inwards, the loops won't stay in the hooks. Unless you're planning on taking it into some deep mud I doubt you will need to worry about hooking up a cable or rope.
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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I agree , but I couldn't get them to install without contacting the bumper .
The hooks are still use able for pulling people out with a strap ...
 

SitKneelBend

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I agree , but I couldn't get them to install without contacting the bumper .
The hooks are still use able for pulling people out with a strap ...
You could always do it my way



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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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I've been thinking about it
 

SitKneelBend

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I've been thinking about it
I just added a bull bar too. I don't think it would have installed with the hooks inboard. You and many others have installed them this way and they are functional. Maybe just wait until you have a reason to be back under there (like when you see an express with a bull bar)...

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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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I just added a bull bar too. I don't think it would have installed with the hooks inboard. You and many others have installed them this way and they are functional. Maybe just wait until you have a reason to be back under there (like when you see an express with a bull bar)...

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How Bout them Bull bar pictures. ..
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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Wow ! That Lund Bull Bar is freaking Huge !
 

moledodge

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Not to highjack a thread but if anyone is looking to get rid of their tow hooks I'm looking for a pair.
 
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R.L.K.

R.L.K.

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