First of all get
your tools and supplies together. Items you will need are as
follows:
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2
Tow hooks
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A
drill with 3/16, 5/16 & 1/2" drill bits
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A
Reciopcationg saw with metal cutting blades, try to get one
with a short stroke, it makes cutting around the frame horns
easier.
-
2
3/4" wrenches
- A ratchet with a
10 MM socket
-
A
mesuring tape
-
Some
edge molding so you dont cut your hands when you use your
hooks.
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First of all take
off your bumper by removing the 4 10mm bolts holding it onto
your truck. I find it much easier to take off the grille to
get to the top bolts. slide the bumper off the mounting tabs
and set it aside.
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where you will be mounting your tow hooks, personally I put them
on the inside of the frame rail where they would have some backup
from the bumper mount. Be careful You
dont put them in a spot where the head of the bolt will hit the
head of the bumper mount bolt.
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Drill
your holes, I found it works best if you drill with the smaller
drill bits then make the holes bigger with the larger bits. When
drilling the 2nd hole be sure to make sure it lines up with the
hole on the tow hook. You can use the tow hook to streighten hout
the 2nd hole if you have to, but expect a lot of binding and kickback
from the drill.
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Once
your holes are aligned and drilled install your tow hooks using
the 2 3/4" wrenches 19mm wrenches can be subituted for the
3/4 inchers.
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This is the point
where you have a choice, you can either hack on then bumper
with it off the truck or with it on. Personally I rather do
it withthe bumper on because then its held nice and steady,
with it off it was very hard to cut since the saw kept moving
it around.
If you want to cut
with the bumper on the truck set the bumper on it's pegs on
the mounts tap it against the hooks a few times then draw a
rectangular box around the marks the hooks leave.
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Here
comes the pain in the butt part, if you know someone who can plasma
cut your bumper use them, otherwise you will have to drill several
holes in an "L" shape and connect them the other option
is to get a bumper off a diesel.
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If
you are using a recipocating saw then use this pattern of cutting,
I found it yields the best result and you end up with less shards
to pick up. You will have to cut into the bump strip 1/4-1/2"
in order to get full use of the tow hook. Don't worry, it doesnt
look all that bad.
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After
getting everything squared off and to the size you like install
your edge molding around the hole. This will hide the imperfections,
keep your hands intact and make the job look professional. Edge
molding is avalible at most Industrial hardware stores.
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If
you cut your holes with the bumper on the truck pull it off and
do your final installation of your tow hooks. Once they are tight
mount your bumper and tighten it all up. In order to keep it from
flapping you may want to cut 4" squares out of your mud shield
so they wont catch the air. This will also help with cooling since
now air is getting to the lower half of your radiator.
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You
are now done now its time to go out have some fun without worring
about not being able to be pulled out head first.
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