Tow hooks?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 48
From: Danville, CA
Front, Rear, or Both?
If you want rear only and have a hitch, then an economical way is to simply buy a clevis/D-Ring that connects to the hitch (assuming you have a hitch). That's what I have for rescuing imports from the snow and mud - $29 through 4 Wheel Parts.
If you want front, then you'll have to mount some to the frame. Look at your frame and see if holes are pre-drilled; I believe two bolts secure each hook with a set of backing plates. The hooks can then go through the punch-throughs on the plastic bumper inserts [I think all F-150s have the punch-throughs, though I may be wrong on that]. If the plastic insert (aka valence) doesn't have punch-throughs, then you'll need to cut through the plastic.
If you want rear only and have a hitch, then an economical way is to simply buy a clevis/D-Ring that connects to the hitch (assuming you have a hitch). That's what I have for rescuing imports from the snow and mud - $29 through 4 Wheel Parts.
If you want front, then you'll have to mount some to the frame. Look at your frame and see if holes are pre-drilled; I believe two bolts secure each hook with a set of backing plates. The hooks can then go through the punch-throughs on the plastic bumper inserts [I think all F-150s have the punch-throughs, though I may be wrong on that]. If the plastic insert (aka valence) doesn't have punch-throughs, then you'll need to cut through the plastic.
Last edited by DangFoo; Dec 29, 2011 at 01:50 PM. Reason: fun
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Front, Rear, or Both?
If you want rear only and have a hitch, then an economical way is to simply buy a clevis/D-Ring that connects to the hitch (assuming you have a hitch). That's what I have for rescuing imports from the snow and mud - $29 through 4 Wheel Parts.
If you want front, then you'll have to mount some to the frame. Look at your frame and see if holes are pre-drilled; I believe two bolts secure each hook with a set of backing plates. The hooks can then go through the punch-throughs on the plastic bumper inserts [I think all F-150s have the punch-throughs, though I may be wrong on that]. If the plastic insert (aka valence) doesn't have punch-throughs, then you'll need to cut through the plastic.
If you want rear only and have a hitch, then an economical way is to simply buy a clevis/D-Ring that connects to the hitch (assuming you have a hitch). That's what I have for rescuing imports from the snow and mud - $29 through 4 Wheel Parts.
If you want front, then you'll have to mount some to the frame. Look at your frame and see if holes are pre-drilled; I believe two bolts secure each hook with a set of backing plates. The hooks can then go through the punch-throughs on the plastic bumper inserts [I think all F-150s have the punch-throughs, though I may be wrong on that]. If the plastic insert (aka valence) doesn't have punch-throughs, then you'll need to cut through the plastic.
Señor Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 19
From: Arizona
What is your truck? XL, XLT, Lariat?
My XLT has two notches in the front bumper and holes on the bottom valance where the two hooks poke through.
If yours doesn't have those, then you'd have to mount the hooks somewhere that can be accessed.
The expensive option would be to swap out your bumper and front valance with the tow hook hole version.
The tow hooks themselves are on ebay and fairly cheap.
My XLT has two notches in the front bumper and holes on the bottom valance where the two hooks poke through.
If yours doesn't have those, then you'd have to mount the hooks somewhere that can be accessed.
The expensive option would be to swap out your bumper and front valance with the tow hook hole version.
The tow hooks themselves are on ebay and fairly cheap.
Señor Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 19
From: Arizona
chaseman, I was looking at your frontend pics from your post in the off-road section.
I think the plastic bottom section of the 4wd front bumper will fit/replace the one you have.
It might have to be the same year...not for sure on that. I know there were front bumper differences between 05 and 08, I was thinking of swapping out the 05 with the square fog lights with my front end. Too much to weld and change to make it happen for me.
You could also just cut out the small holes for the tow hooks to poke through.
Good luck!
I think the plastic bottom section of the 4wd front bumper will fit/replace the one you have.
It might have to be the same year...not for sure on that. I know there were front bumper differences between 05 and 08, I was thinking of swapping out the 05 with the square fog lights with my front end. Too much to weld and change to make it happen for me.
You could also just cut out the small holes for the tow hooks to poke through.
Good luck!
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Ya its Dipped, Hate Away
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 29
From: Phoenix Arizona
Originally Posted by papa tiger
you can oval out the valance for opening. It cuts easily and files to smooth out.
