Hey gang what's the secret to getting these tow hook boots re-installed? A heat gun? I painted my tow hooks red and don't want to mess them up trying to stuff these things back in around them. Thanks for anyone who's done it and lived to tell about it

 

Take your bumper off, its only 6 bolts and unplug your fogs.

 

are those mounts cracked?

 

They're split like that from the factory. So the tow hook can poke through I would assume.

 

I just did this on mine. No need to remove the bumper. Just loosen the nuts and you can slide it our far enough to slip them on. My truck had a brush guard on it that replaced the tow hooks. I bought the hooks and boots and just put them on the other day. I fought and fought with the left one and then finally gave up. Loosened the nuts and slid the bumper out a bit and they slipped right into place. It also makes is so I could get to the back bolt for the hook with the impact.

To loosen the bumper, pull the rectangular plastic parts above the hooks. There are two nuts there on each side. Then look under the truck and you will find one on each side. I completely pulled the ones under the truck and left that last couple threads on the one on each side up front where it was easier to see. You can disconnect the wires to fully remove it but it is a little overkill. I also had a lot more to disconnect than just the fogs. There was the radar module for adaptive cruise, engine block heater and fog lights for sure. I couldn't get my hand up to get to the fog light connectors and gave up on all of it to try and just get a bit more wiggle room which worked out fine.

In your pic you have the front side hooked under the bumper opening. Do that part last. Slide them on the hooks and then get that front part.

 

Thanks I'll give that routine a shot

 

Those plastic square parts are just clipped in. I have a set of automotive trim tools and pry bars that I used which are plastic so they don't scratch up stuff.

I watched this guy's video when trying to figure it out on my own. I think he said he used a screw driver to pop them off. Maybe a putty knife would work as well. It is for a 2018 but I would imagine it is the same on yours.

 

If you're worried about the rubber scratching your new paint, wrap it in cellophane before sliding it through.

Me, I'd just touch up with more paint.

 

I wrapped them with 2 layers of painters tape. I'll most likely tackle this tomorrow morning before the wife gets up and the honey-do's start

 

I tried with the bumper bolts loosened and then said screw it and removed it.