Tow hooks are ON, It CAN be done on an 02!

1656 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by sherdep, Oct 4, 2006

funinak

Discussion Starter · Sep 27, 2006 (Edited)

OK after a some inital discouragement I figured...WHAT THE HECK let's MAKE this fit. So here is what I did.
-When I was looking at the hook bar and my frame end brackets and the lack of holes that match up I noticed something (see pic#1 passenger side) there are 2 recessed hole like marks stamped in the bracket on each side of the truck. It's the one that is between the existing outside holes. Now the two on the outsides JUST HAPPEND TO line up with the single outer holes in the bar. WOW a break! :rck: They were probably 1/16" off but the oblong holes in the hook bar will make up the difference.
-I then drilled the holes, mounted the hook bar, marked the other 4 holes and removed the bar. (see pic#2)
- I then drilled the 4 holes, well actually 3. You can see from pic #2 that the marked lower hole on the pasenger side is VERY close to the existing pre drilled lower hole and as I was drilling the smaller pilot hole the bit kept slipping into the existing hole. SO I had to mount the bar with 5 bolts and then use the bar hole as a guide to keep the bit straight.
-After installing the last bolt and standing back admiring my work (see pic#3) I decided to cut out the plastic bumper insert and re-install it for a cleaner look(see pic#4)
Not too bad for something that wasn't designed to fit in the first place! :rck: How does it look for a 2 hour driveway job?
On a side note for those who are concerned I am going by the dealership tomorrow to see if I can get a set of the infamous inner support brackets and see if they will fit without too much trouble.

See less See more

3

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

funinak

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 27, 2006

#4

Final pic and a side shot. I figured the hooks would stick out a bit more but it's cleaner that way I guess. And finally a before shot to see what it LOOKED like! Enjoy :gr_patrio

See less See more

3

05blackbeauty

· #3 · Sep 27, 2006

i like that...might have to modify my plastic insert

funinak

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 27, 2006

Cleaner

I like it too! It's just a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel away from happening for YOU!! I now need to find some big round inserts to fill the upper holes in the panel where those POS plastic screw things came out. GO FOR IT!! start with a small hole and keep test fitting to make sure you don't go too big. My holes are a bit too big but I OK with them.

CowboyKyle

· #5 · Sep 27, 2006

after looking at your 2002 frame tips i really wander if HD tow hooks would have been a direct bolt up.

05blackbeauty

· #6 · Sep 27, 2006

funinak said:
I like it too! It's just a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel away from happening for YOU!! I now need to find some big round inserts to fill the upper holes in the panel where those POS plastic screw things came out. GO FOR IT!! start with a small hole and keep test fitting to make sure you don't go too big. My holes are a bit too big but I OK with them.

just bought me a new dremel tool the other week gonna try it out this weekend :rck:

Dadditruck

· #7 · Sep 27, 2006

Looks really nice! Clean & neat, what tow hooks are they?

funinak

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 28, 2006

Thanks,They are OEM!! :rck:

john.colorado

· #9 · Sep 28, 2006

nice install man :rck:

Bubba_Hemi

· #10 · Sep 28, 2006

So, instead of throwing away your bumper insert... how about just sending it my way?

funinak

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 28, 2006 (Edited)

More

Thanks for the kind words guys!! :gr_patrio The billet bumper insert is up for grabs!!

Bubba, I don't know if it will fit your 06 though? Are you seriously interested in it? PM me...

Bubba_Hemi

· #12 · Sep 28, 2006

Yes I am... and yes, they will. the lower piece in the bumpers are the same.

bob_heald

· #13 · Oct 2, 2006

The 2500 tow hooks bolt directly on there... that's what I did with my 2002, I'm not sure how strong that ends up being, but it's a little easier than drilling holes.

funinak

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 2, 2006

I would have done that but I got the hook bar at such a good price AND I found out AFTER that the 2500 hoops would be a direct bolt on...It all worked out. Now I can say my truck has been MODIFIED!!!

79rallysport

· #15 · Oct 3, 2006

bob_heald said:
The 2500 tow hooks bolt directly on there... that's what I did with my 2002, I'm not sure how strong that ends up being, but it's a little easier than drilling holes.

Where did you get the tow hooks from? Do you know the part #?

bob_heald

· #16 · Oct 3, 2006

I got mine off ebay for about $35 - same as these ones but a little cheaper:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODG...013QQitemZ230033130138QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

sherdep

· #17 · Oct 4, 2006

looks like a clean install .. Great Job .. wished I had the plastic cover but since I have a front grill guard with my tow hooks - the plastic cover wouldnt work for me .

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.