2WD 09+ front tow location
01-04-2013, 10:46 AM
#11
installing factory tow hooks on a 2wd can get pricey. I know because I just went through the steps to get everything I need.
the tow hooks are over 50 bux a side unless you luck out and find em on ebay or somewhere used.
if you want OEM harware with the funky flag nuts inside the frame and the matching bolts, youre gonna spend about 20 bux.
the lower valance is about 150 bux. you could always cut the holes in your stock valance, but chances are it wont look right.
so when its all said and done, if you pay full price, you are gonna have over $300 tied up in adding tow hooks. it seems a little excessive to me. you can get all the parts from tasca and it will be cheaper (around 185 bux for everything) but then you have to pay to have everything shipped to you.
being 2wd and KNOWING my area does get snow, and the area in PA gets A LOT MORE snow, there is a very good chance I am going to get stuck at some point. its more of a "when" than an "if". so having some sort of tow points on the front was pretty much mandatory. I wanted it to look factory so I bit the bullet. I elected to get the 4x4 valance, instead of cutting. I lucked out and found a brand new 4x4 valance locally for $70 . I found new take off tow hooks on ebay for $21 and I used my discount to get the hardware for about $11. so all said and done I am a touch over $100.
I am installing it tonight after work. I have been told that the black rectangle pads on the front bumper have a tendency to snap the clips off if youre not careful, and they DO have to be removed to get the valance off the bumper. so if you break those, there is ANOTHER potential expense involved with this install. fortunately I have a spare set of pads for an eco boost just in case I break something. it sucks because I HATE the off set tag mount on the front, but if I break mine I will have something to put on so at least I wont have a funky looking front end missing a pad.
if I run into any complications I will check back in and let ya know.
the tow hooks are over 50 bux a side unless you luck out and find em on ebay or somewhere used.
if you want OEM harware with the funky flag nuts inside the frame and the matching bolts, youre gonna spend about 20 bux.
the lower valance is about 150 bux. you could always cut the holes in your stock valance, but chances are it wont look right.
so when its all said and done, if you pay full price, you are gonna have over $300 tied up in adding tow hooks. it seems a little excessive to me. you can get all the parts from tasca and it will be cheaper (around 185 bux for everything) but then you have to pay to have everything shipped to you.
being 2wd and KNOWING my area does get snow, and the area in PA gets A LOT MORE snow, there is a very good chance I am going to get stuck at some point. its more of a "when" than an "if". so having some sort of tow points on the front was pretty much mandatory. I wanted it to look factory so I bit the bullet. I elected to get the 4x4 valance, instead of cutting. I lucked out and found a brand new 4x4 valance locally for $70 . I found new take off tow hooks on ebay for $21 and I used my discount to get the hardware for about $11. so all said and done I am a touch over $100.
I am installing it tonight after work. I have been told that the black rectangle pads on the front bumper have a tendency to snap the clips off if youre not careful, and they DO have to be removed to get the valance off the bumper. so if you break those, there is ANOTHER potential expense involved with this install. fortunately I have a spare set of pads for an eco boost just in case I break something. it sucks because I HATE the off set tag mount on the front, but if I break mine I will have something to put on so at least I wont have a funky looking front end missing a pad.
if I run into any complications I will check back in and let ya know.
01-04-2013, 11:16 AM
#12
Senior Member
Originally Posted by SmoKesoul
My apologies. I've never done it, but someone told me that a while back. Guess he was wrong. Luckily I never had to do it.
Edit: thinking back it prob was about a fwd car since it was before I had my truck. So if that is the case is it ok to hook up to the front axel of a fwd vehicle?
Edit: thinking back it prob was about a fwd car since it was before I had my truck. So if that is the case is it ok to hook up to the front axel of a fwd vehicle?
01-07-2013, 01:43 PM
#14
UPDATE:
if you decide to add tow hooks to the front of your truck it will be MUCH easier to just cut some holes in your stock valance.
WHAT A PAIN!!!!!
easiest way to swap front lower bumper valances is to remove the bumper assembly from the truck.
the front bumper is held to the frame with 4 15mm nuts, and to the upper cover with 2 8mm and 1 10mm bolts. unplug the fog lamps and its off. takes like 5 minutes.
this is what does not make sense, you have to remove ALL of the brackets and fog lamps from the bumper to get to the bolts for the valance.
there is something like 18 (yes 18) 8mm bolts that hold the valance to the bottom of the steel bumper. why on earth Ford thinks you need THAT MANY bolts to hold a plastic valance to the metal bumper I'll never understand, especially when there is only 7 bolts TOTAL holding the whole bumper assembly to the truck.
ohh and like I mentioned before, the black plastic rectangle pads on the face of the bumper HAVE to come off because there are snaps behind it it that holds the valance to the bumper face.
once everything was apart it went back toegther like a breeze, and bolting the actual hooks to the frame was pie, especially with using the factory hardware.
if you decide to add tow hooks to the front of your truck it will be MUCH easier to just cut some holes in your stock valance.
WHAT A PAIN!!!!!
easiest way to swap front lower bumper valances is to remove the bumper assembly from the truck.
the front bumper is held to the frame with 4 15mm nuts, and to the upper cover with 2 8mm and 1 10mm bolts. unplug the fog lamps and its off. takes like 5 minutes.
this is what does not make sense, you have to remove ALL of the brackets and fog lamps from the bumper to get to the bolts for the valance.
there is something like 18 (yes 18) 8mm bolts that hold the valance to the bottom of the steel bumper. why on earth Ford thinks you need THAT MANY bolts to hold a plastic valance to the metal bumper I'll never understand, especially when there is only 7 bolts TOTAL holding the whole bumper assembly to the truck.
ohh and like I mentioned before, the black plastic rectangle pads on the face of the bumper HAVE to come off because there are snaps behind it it that holds the valance to the bumper face.
once everything was apart it went back toegther like a breeze, and bolting the actual hooks to the frame was pie, especially with using the factory hardware.
01-11-2013, 01:42 PM
#15
Another option is to add a front hitch. You can then add a hook to that for towing, and also hook up a tow ball (great for moving trailers around.) Not sure if this would work on an EB with the intercooler. I had this setup on my 99 Dodge Ram, and it worked out great. You can also add a step for working on the engine, a removable winch, etc. Lots of options, and I believe the front hitch goes for $135.
