Zj tow hook install

LoCo_ZJ · 11-18-2008, 11:43 PM

I just ordered my tow hooks for my 1996 ZJ and I was wondering if there are any special considerations or anything i might need to know or watch out for?

I know the instructions tell me to take the stock bumper cover off and I tried to do that the other day and I couldnt get it off. Any ideas? (ps i want to keep it in one piece so that i can put it back.)

moparrr07 · 11-19-2008, 12:29 AM

thats an easy one, 3 pushpins in each inner fender, take out the grille with 4 screws, 4? in top of bumper, 5? pushpins in bottom and it falls off

LoCo_ZJ · 11-19-2008, 08:24 AM

ok thanks. I probably would have never figured that out.

CanadianZed-J · 11-19-2008, 08:31 AM

If you have fog lights be sure to unplug them too.

CZJ.

steve L. · 11-19-2008, 08:35 AM

use this site. . .its what im gonna use once i get mine, it says for a 98, but they are all the same for the most part. good luck!

http://www.lovewellfence.com/zj/towhook/

Test · 11-19-2008, 08:39 AM

I had to ream out the holes in front of the radiator to get mine on.

1sportsdoc · 11-19-2008, 10:31 AM

Becareful, there are two hook-type clips (one each side) located on the top of the bumper itself, just below the headlight/turn signal assembley. If you break those, the bumper will not lock into place along the top. You need to locate those, push the bumper (toward the engine), insert a long flat head screw driver, and push down on the hook/clip and then pull the bumper out while holding down the clip. I found out the hard way by breaking the driver side. That corner doesn't fit up very well now. Maybe someone else can describe this better then I can.

moparrr07 · 11-19-2008, 11:39 AM

^^^^ very good point, some choch bag broke mine before i got to it, so now the bumper never fits in just right

LoCo_ZJ · 11-19-2008, 12:34 PM

Steve,
I just looked at the link you posted and it deffinatly looks like it will help.

I only have 1 question to everyone out there.... I compared the pictures in the instructions that steve suggested to the pictures of the actual tow hooks on qtec's website and qtec's pictures show the hooks bolted to the long arm of the bracket but the instructions that steve posted showed the hooks bolted to the brackets right next to the large plate. I also read the instructions from Rugged Ridge, who made the tow hooks/brackets, and they say to bolt the brackets to the front of the frame, not to the side as said in the instructions that steve suggested. Which way is the right way? ( the link below is to the tow hooks on qtec's website.)

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12007_700_07.htm

steve L. · 11-19-2008, 01:20 PM

hmm nice point out, and to be honest i really dont know which is right and which is wrong, maybe they are both right. Idk. Maybe on the site i sent you, he put them there bc his fog lights are in the way? but I am currious on which way it should be done for when i decide to get me some front tow hooks, and install em.

LoCo_ZJ · 11-19-2008, 10:57 PM

well..... When i got home from work today I had a package waiting for me on the front porch. MY TOW HOOKS. So the first thing i did was open the box and crawl under my jeep with one of the brackets in hand. I held the bracket up the way that steve's suggested instructions say, and everything lined up. I'm thinking that thats how i'm gonna do it. Tomorrow night when I get the front bumper off and hold the brackets up to the frame how the Rugged Ridge instructions say i will be able to see which way is the right way.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

(p.s. If you want to see the finished product, come to Rausch Creek next Saturday the 29th. Myself and about 6 other rigs will be wheelin all day and camping/partying all night. PM me if you wanna meet up)

killer248 · 04-28-2009, 06:45 AM

i ran into this site talking about a different way of installing tow hooks for less. anybody see any problems with it? this is the site www.eriejeeppeople.com/ejpforums/index.php?showtopic=1264

Tiggerrrrr · 04-28-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer248

i ran into this site talking about a different way of installing tow hooks for less. anybody see any problems with it? this is the site www.eriejeeppeople.com/ejpforums/index.php?showtopic=1264

I wouldn't trust that set up. no reinforcement at all. That would most likely rip the unibody in a hard pull.

edit.. I dont like those instructions on the quadratec site.. I'm glad I found factory hooks.

ShantasticZJ · 04-28-2009, 11:48 AM

These aren't the best pics, but they might be helpful.

We were able to gently lift the radiator a tiny bit by loosening the bolts and prying up on the lower supports with a big flat head screwdriver. It gave juuuust enough wiggle room to pop those little bolt brackets in.

unabashedpraise · 06-07-2009, 09:45 PM

Not trying to resurrect anything here, but I have a helpful hint on the bumper clips located under the signal lights.

Instead of trying to use a giant screw driver use the shortest, fattest, flat head you have. Insert the flat head in between the fascia and the clip by reaching up from underneath. Then twist the driver which separates them and with your other hand pull the fascia out and off. I spent an hour trying to use different tools and none of them worked. I spent less than 2 minutes on both clips once I used the short and fat flat head.

11-19-2008, 08:39 AM	#6
Test Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mars Posts: 363 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I had to ream out the holes in front of the radiator to get mine on.