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I figured I would do a quick write up since I did not see a complete one prior to attempting mine. This bumper is an Overland bumper, so the sport and Rubicon may be different.
First, you start off removing the air dam and metal support that’s behind it. I had already removed the air dam, but I think it was a bunch of push retainers holding it on. Maybe a screw or two. The bolts for the metal are 16mm.
After those pieces are off, move up top and remove the plastic piece between the bumper and grille. It too is held on by plastic retainers. Get used to those because there are a s***load of them during this project.
Next, I removed the fog light back covers on the inside of the bumper on both sides. Held on by...you guessed it....plastic retainers. Do not unplug the fog lights themselves, as it is not necessary. You only have to unplug the fog light harness connection that is located on the passenger side frame rail. I’m not sure how I unplugged this, but after a couple minutes of finger-banging it finally came loose.
Now for the time consuming part(at least for me). Locate 4 nuts on the inside of the bumper on either side of the bumper (8 total). These are located near the frame rails. These nuts are attached to the tow hook studs themselves. You’ll need an 18mm deep socket to remove them. I also had to use a small extension, but I had no issues accessing them otherwise. Taking these off took me a painstakingly long time since I don’t have an impact small enough to get up in there. I will be finding one in the near future for sure. Once you get these off the bumper will pull right off the frame.
Now on to the last tedious fastener removal expedition. There are about 15 or so small screws holding the outer plastic cover on the bumper. Undo all of these (7mm socket maybe??) and then work the plastic cover off. You will have to work the tow hook “hooks” out of the plastic, so pay attention to that if you have a hang up.
Once that plastic is off you will have a plastic bumper and a metal plate attached to the inside. You must remove this metal plate by taking off 8 nuts. These were 13mm I think.
After those nuts, undo the plastic retainer holding the fog light wire to the metal plate you just unbolted. There is one for each fog light. Now pull the metal plate out and you’ll have FINALLY uncovered the elusive tow hooks!!! Replace, paint, remove all together, or do whatever you want with them now that you’ve spent the time pulling them out.
Once you’re finished doing what you do put it all back together like it came out! When you get to torquing the nuts down that hold the bumper to the frame make sure they’re tight. I do not know the official number, but I read 80 ft/lbs and it worked just fine for me. When I was removing the nuts initially, I attached my torque wrench to them and it took right around 80 to break the nuts free. I tried 60-70 ft/lbs on a couple bolts and the wrench broke before the nuts budged. Now enjoy your tow hooks.....or whatever you decided to do! As for me I replaced my black hooks with RED!
Now I will say this....my hooks did not have any of the retaining washers with teeth that are a b***h to get off. I read a lot about them online and was dreading this project, but my bumper did not have these retainers. My bumper is an Overland as stated at the beginning of the thread. The retainers I am talking about look like these: https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/f...MIgKOy0fCw5wIVApSzCh1nAQQgEAQYASABEgJLRvD_BwE
If you have them they will be on the tow hook studs. They should have to be removed when you get down to separating the metal insert inside of the plastic bumper. I’m not sure though. GOOD LUCK!!!
First, you start off removing the air dam and metal support that’s behind it. I had already removed the air dam, but I think it was a bunch of push retainers holding it on. Maybe a screw or two. The bolts for the metal are 16mm.
After those pieces are off, move up top and remove the plastic piece between the bumper and grille. It too is held on by plastic retainers. Get used to those because there are a s***load of them during this project.
Next, I removed the fog light back covers on the inside of the bumper on both sides. Held on by...you guessed it....plastic retainers. Do not unplug the fog lights themselves, as it is not necessary. You only have to unplug the fog light harness connection that is located on the passenger side frame rail. I’m not sure how I unplugged this, but after a couple minutes of finger-banging it finally came loose.
Now for the time consuming part(at least for me). Locate 4 nuts on the inside of the bumper on either side of the bumper (8 total). These are located near the frame rails. These nuts are attached to the tow hook studs themselves. You’ll need an 18mm deep socket to remove them. I also had to use a small extension, but I had no issues accessing them otherwise. Taking these off took me a painstakingly long time since I don’t have an impact small enough to get up in there. I will be finding one in the near future for sure. Once you get these off the bumper will pull right off the frame.
Now on to the last tedious fastener removal expedition. There are about 15 or so small screws holding the outer plastic cover on the bumper. Undo all of these (7mm socket maybe??) and then work the plastic cover off. You will have to work the tow hook “hooks” out of the plastic, so pay attention to that if you have a hang up.
Once that plastic is off you will have a plastic bumper and a metal plate attached to the inside. You must remove this metal plate by taking off 8 nuts. These were 13mm I think.
After those nuts, undo the plastic retainer holding the fog light wire to the metal plate you just unbolted. There is one for each fog light. Now pull the metal plate out and you’ll have FINALLY uncovered the elusive tow hooks!!! Replace, paint, remove all together, or do whatever you want with them now that you’ve spent the time pulling them out.
Once you’re finished doing what you do put it all back together like it came out! When you get to torquing the nuts down that hold the bumper to the frame make sure they’re tight. I do not know the official number, but I read 80 ft/lbs and it worked just fine for me. When I was removing the nuts initially, I attached my torque wrench to them and it took right around 80 to break the nuts free. I tried 60-70 ft/lbs on a couple bolts and the wrench broke before the nuts budged. Now enjoy your tow hooks.....or whatever you decided to do! As for me I replaced my black hooks with RED!
Now I will say this....my hooks did not have any of the retaining washers with teeth that are a b***h to get off. I read a lot about them online and was dreading this project, but my bumper did not have these retainers. My bumper is an Overland as stated at the beginning of the thread. The retainers I am talking about look like these: https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/f...MIgKOy0fCw5wIVApSzCh1nAQQgEAQYASABEgJLRvD_BwE
If you have them they will be on the tow hook studs. They should have to be removed when you get down to separating the metal insert inside of the plastic bumper. I’m not sure though. GOOD LUCK!!!
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